Malawians mourn slain SA rapper AKA
Tributes from Malawians pour in following the shooting of South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA in the music circles.
The rapper, 35, was shot dead on Friday night in Durban, Florida Road, together with his long-time friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.
A family statement released on Saturday and signed by his parents Tony and Lynn Forbes reads in part: “It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our son, and confirm his untimely and tragic passing on the evening of Friday February 10 2023. We are waiting for further details from the Durban police.”
Meanwhile, Malawians from all walks of life, particularly music fanatics, have taken to social media to mourn the slain South African rapper famed for such songs as Lemonade.
Blantyre-based hip-hop fanatic Haswell Nyuzi described the tragic killing of AKA as sad and shocking.
“It’s a big loss not only to South Africans, but also to us Malawians because AKA used to come to entertain us. Malawi was probably his second home,” he said.
Musician Limbani Kalilani aka Tay Grin said AKA has left a big gap in the music industry.
Wrote Tay Grin on his Facebook page: “From the first time I met you in 2011 at the Channel O Music Awards to our last day on stage together in Malawi, you remained pure and true to your art form.
“Your talent was top tier. You have left a mark and your legacy shall live strong. Rest in power Super Mega, my friend.”
Journalist Maurice Nkawihe said he grew to like AKA’s music and understood why his friends liked him too.
He said: “He was simply talented and a lyrical genius. My all time favourite track done by him is All Eyes on Me featuring Burna Boy. It was AKA’s ego that made all the difference. His quest for the crown made other rappers perfect their game.
“He was a legend. And as he once sang ‘these streets are cold’. What happened to his life attests to that fact that indeed the streets are freezing cold. Rest in peace king.”
Popular online entertainment and lifestyle publication Mikozi Network has also paid their tribute to the fallen hip-hop artist.
Mikozi’s founder Bright ‘Excess’ Chiligo said: “We at Mikozi are deeply saddened by the untimely death of AKA who was shot in Durban. We have lost a reliable figure who was not only our source of entertainment news, but also one of the favourite rappers of our followers.”
South Africa and Malawi have things in common as most artists from the Rainbow country come to Malawi to perform.
Memories are still fresh of AKA’s last performance in Malawi where he performed at the Polytechnic, now Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) in April last year. This show was AKA’s unforgettable experience in Malawi because his pair of sneakers were stolen by fans as he performed.
AKA was crowd-surfing when overzealous fans removed sneakers from his feet. One sneaker was reportedly found in Chitawira and another in Ndirande Township the following day.
