'Losing Kiernan has brought us closer' — AKA's parents Lynn and Tony Forbes on the loss of their son

21 November 2023 - 12:45
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Tony Forbes and Lynn Forbes at the 29th annual South African Music Awards (SAMA) at SunBet Arena inTime Square, Menlyn Maine, Pretoria.
Tony Forbes and Lynn Forbes at the 29th annual South African Music Awards (SAMA) at SunBet Arena inTime Square, Menlyn Maine, Pretoria.
Image: Veli Nhlapo

Nine months after his death, slain rapper AKA's legacy keeps shining.

Aside from his album Mass Country raking in 35,404 units, equivalent to 40,972,588 streams, the rapper is also scooping awards. 

After scoring eight nominations at this year's SAMA 29, the late rapper was posthumously presented three awards including Best Male Artist, Best Engineered Album, and Best Collaboration for his hit song Lemons (Lemonade) featuring Nasty C. 

It hasn't been an easy journey though for his parents Lynn and Tony Forbes who were present at the ceremony to collect the golden trophies on his behalf. 

“It's difficult every day. Life goes on and people go on with their lives and we have to, but I wake up with this every day. My life has changed and a part of me is gone,” Lynn told TshisaLIVE. 

“I am a different person, but we soldier on. I believe if I talk about what I am going through, there's one person that might be helped through what I say and I hope this is what it does.”

AKA's first South African music award was for Best Male award artist, so adding a second one to his multitude of awards “is a three-sixty moment” for the Megacy, said Lynn. 

“He was an amazing artist and that alone makes me happy as a mother,” she said.

“The love and the support has been amazing. It's a reflection of Kiernan's life. He inspired many through his work and collaborated with a lot of artists. Mass country is a reflection of all of that, and the fact that it has done so well shows that people love the diversity in his music,” Tony added.

With AKA's death still under investigation, Tony's grieving process hasn't been easy, but he is happy to be able to celebrate his son's achievements with his family and AKA's friends who have become like family to him. 

“It's still very difficult, emotionally. It's still very much a rollercoaster. In some ways, it's probably harder because time has moved on and things are supposed to become easier but it's not. I still prefer to mix with people. I feel closer to Kiernan whenever someone stops and tells me a story about him,

“Losing Kiernan has brought us closer as a family. The thing about family is it's not just about blood family, it's also about his friends. I have gained sons and daughters,” Tony said.



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