K.O's heartfelt tribute to AKA!

MULTI-AWARD-WINNING rapper Ntokozo Mdluli, professionally known as K.O, has honoured the legacy of the late Kiernan "AKA" Forbes with the release of their final studio collaboration titled King Size.

The new single, accompanied by stunning visuals, marks a sad farewell to AKA, the iconic rapper and record producer who died tragically in 2023.

The two hip-hop heavyweights, who teamed up for the hit song Run Jozi in June 2014, shared a strong bond rooted in both competition and mutual admiration.

In King Size, K.O revisits this connection, paying tribute to his late friend by recreating some of the visual elements from their previous collaborations.

Speaking to Daily Sun, K.O reflected on the relationship, describing AKA as a competitive yet kindred spirit.

"The more we worked together, the more I realised how similar we were. It's just that he lived his life more publicly," K.O said.

He recounted the last moments they spent in the studio together, where they started discussing a joint album they had dreamed of creating since 2015.

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"It was a regular day, which is why we didn't film much in the studio. We thought we'd meet up in a few days' time to shoot the video. He was so excited that we were finally doing what we had talked about for so long. Sadly, a few days later, he died," K.O said.

Describing the release of King Size as "the last dance," K.O expressed how much this song means to him.

"If you've followed our journey, you know the competitive spirit that existed between us. This is a record I've held onto, and now feels like a perfect time to release it as a farewell to a genius, a giant, a king, and someone who inspired me both as an artist and a fan."

AKA's mum Lynn Forbes also shared her pride and gratitude for the tribute.

"They recorded Kiernan's verse that week, on the Tuesday before he died. He was so excited about the song and the video. Watching it is emotional, but it's a beautiful tribute. K.O and Kiernan were not only competitive but also close friends who kept hip-hop alive. It's touching to see K.O honouring him this way."