Nigerian artist Burna Boy has broken his silence on the shocking death of South African rapper AKA. In a quick freestyle shared on his Instagram story Thursday (February 16). The Grammy Award winner revealed that the viral CCTV footage of the exact moment AKA was shot impacted him negatively.
“I just heard he died, seen that video at the restaurant, took me out of a positive mood,” he raps.
Burna then referenced a conversation he had with the South African about having a gun, and later acknowledged he wasn’t really in the best of terms with the Fela In Versace rapper before his passing. Burna Boy however noted, “I didn’t want you dead.”
He ended the freestyle with some honest, yet encouraging words. “I hope they catch whoever did you wicked/I hope you rest in peace even though we ain’t kick it.”
Burna Boy and AKA had a beneficial relationship early on in their careers. Their bromance led them to record the 2014 hit single “All Eyes On Me,” which also featured DA L.E.S. and Jr. The two eventually fell out during the height of the xenophobia crisis in South Africa back in 2019. Nigerian lives and properties were being ravaged as a result of the violence to the annoyance of Burna Boy who took to social media to express his grievances with the events.
“Ok. I have been away from social media personally until today. Ordinarily at a time like this, I should come here and say something to try and calm the situation because my Dream has always been to Unite AFRICA and make us realise that Together we will Literally rule the world,” Burna wrote on Twitter. He also revealed he had also experienced xenophobic attacks from South Africans and vowed never to step foot into the country.
“But Today After watching the Killing of my people in South Africa the same way we have all watched it happen a few times in the past. FUCK ALL THAT! I personally have had my own xenophobic experiences at the hands of South Africans and because of that I have not set foot in SA since 2017,” he continued. “And I will NOT EVER go to South Africa again for any reason until the SOUTH AFRICAN government wakes the fuck up and really performs A miracle because I don’t know how they can even possibly fix this.
This goes against everything I stand 4, but at what point do we take action? I understand that years of Oppression has confused South Africans to the point where they see the pple who came to their defence during their Oppression as their Enemies and then worship their oppressors.”
He ended his September 3, 2019 Twitter rant with some words for AKA, who at the time was seemingly in support of the Xenophobic attacks on migrants lives and properties.
“And @MI_Abaga it’s Fuck @akaworldwide from now on. And if you down with him, it’s Fuck you too. I respect you too much, please Don’t throw my respect out the window cuz I swear you will fly out with it.”
AKA died on Friday (February 10) following a shooting outside Wish restaurant in Florida road, Durban. His family confirmed the tragic news and asked for prayers from the public.
“It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved son, and confirm his untimely and tragic passing on the evening of February 10,” a statement from the Forbes family read.
A celebration of life will be held in his honor on Friday (February 17) at Sandton Convention center, before he gets laid to rest the following day in private provincial funeral.
Meanwhile, Burna Boy has been announced as one of the performers at this year’s NBA All Star Game half time show. He would be performing alongside fellow Nigerians Tems and Rema on February 19 for the Afrobeats themed halftime show.
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