'Motivating and inspiring' - AKA's life celebrated at memorial service

A long-time collaborator with AKA, Yanga Chief features on some of the late musician's top tracks, including Jika. 

Speaking at AKA's memorial service at the Sandton Convention Centre on Friday night, Yanga told mourners that AKA loved him and made him "feel seen".  

“This industry is very unforgiving, it’s judgmental and most times very unfair. Everywhere I go I am automatically trained to make a conscious effort to always be at my best. But with Forbes I never had to try at all. He was always the first person to notice what drip I had on, what cologne I was wearing, what hairstyle I was doing, what jewellery and even my tattoos.  

"If you ever met Kiernan, he would always leave you feeling motivated and inspired. He would say things about you that you didn’t think anybody noticed. He would make you feel like he was paying attention to your career.

“Your performance was the ultimate pursuit of perfection. I am honoured to have played a small part in your catalogue. I sleep easier knowing that you fulfilled your goal in life.”

Hundreds of people, including musicians Sjava, Kuli Chana, businessman and producer DJ Oskido as well as longtime friend and hip-hop star JR, gathered in Sandton to celebrate AKA's life through music. 

JR told mourners that he met AKA more than 15 years ago.  

During one of their first encounters, JR said, he asked AKA to perform with him in Durban. 

But then AKA vowed to never perform with him again. 

Fans of the late hip-hop star also used the opportunity to express their devastation at his sudden passing.

It’s been a week since the hip-hop star was gunned down on Florida Road in Durban. 

The motive for his killing is not known, and no suspects have been arrested for what police have described as an assassination. 

AKA, who had recently turned 35 years old, will be laid to rest during a private funeral on Saturday morning.