By Bahle Gama
Slain South African Rapper Kiernan AKA Forbes’s Mass Country album will be released as planned to honour his legacy.
This is according to a joint statement by VHT Season, The T Effect and Sony Music Entertainment Africa where they stated that the Forbes family had confirmed the release of the album.
“With the nation engulfed with the grief of the tragic death and untimely passing of Kiernan AKA Forbes, the family have acknowledged the outpouring of support and love from South Africa and beyond. The family continues to celebrate the life of their son and to honour his legacy, they are choosing to continue with the release of the Mass Country album on February 24 as planned,” reads the statement.
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In the last two years, Mass Country reportedly became AKA’s entire world, and he constantly kept the album release momentum and anticipation high. The manager and Co-Executive producer of Mass Country Nivo stated that the team was extremely blessed to have worked so closely on the project with AKA.
“We spent a lot of time mapping out this roll-out and creating all the content we have under his direction. AKA worked tremendously hard on this project. He put his heart and soul into it and we were blessed that he got the opportunity to map out his entire roll-out and approve all the elements, so what will be coming out will be as per his direction and his vision,” he said.
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He further thanked the Forbes family for their faith in the entire team working on the project, adding that AKA’s team @VTH Season, The T Effect and Sony Music Entertainment Africa will manage the release of Mass Country.
“With the support and blessings of the family, we celebrate the Supa Mega through his gift of music,” said Nivo.
Managing Director at Sony Music Entertainment Africa Sean Watson said their hearts were broken and had lost not only an icon but someone dear to them as a member of the Sony family.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones as we all traverse this difficult time of mourning the loss of a dearly beloved and respected artist, all of us at Sony music convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family, friends, the Megacy and South Africa,” he said.
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Meanwhile, long-time friend, advisor and business partner at @VTH Raphael Benza said AKA worked very hard on Mass Country in that the energy and the expectations from the Megacy fuelled him to make a masterpiece.
“We are delighted even at our saddest moment to share the music he left behind for us for eternity. Long live Supa Mega, Live long, the world will never forget AKA, that’s a promise,” said Benza.
On another note, as per AKA’s wishes, the next single release “Company” is reportedly scheduled to drop on Friday, which was recorded in Los Angeles during his January holiday. It was recorded alongside long-time collaborator and friend Kiddominant.
Press Statement: Mass Country #LongLiveSupaMega pic.twitter.com/K9etWUSmIx
— AKA (@akaworldwide) February 16, 2023
