Two days before the memorial service of the rap star AKA is set to take place, a giant billboard has been erected in his honour on one of Joburg’s busiest roads – William Nicol Drive.
The multi-award-winning rapper was tragically killed last Friday along with his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, outside Wish restaurant in Florida Road, Durban.
On Wednesday, the Forbes family shared on the rapper’s official social media accounts a time lapse video of the billboard being erected with one of his latest images, which were taken for his upcoming album “Mass Country”.
“Long Live Supa Mega,” read the caption.
AKA’s long-time artwork designer artist Johnny Malepa, created the billboard. Malepa is behind the rapper’s famous 2018, “Touch my blood” billboard.
These have been the hardest things I have ever had to design in my life, I still can't believe it.
— Johnny Malepa (@JohnnyMalepa) February 14, 2023
The controversial Nota Baloyi tried to claim credit for the billboard by tweeting images of the billboard and close look video of it. He tweeted: “Did this for you my boy… Long Live Supa Mega Live Long!”
Did this for you my boy… Long Live Supa Mega Live Long! pic.twitter.com/Xc6B9TPT7v
— EverybodyHatesNOTA (@EveryoneHatesNB) February 15, 2023
AKA’s close friend, bandmate and producer Zadok, quickly shut Baloyi down and clarified in a retweet: “You had nothing to do with this.”
Duma Collective founder Sibu Mabena also took to Twitter and acknowledged the team putting together AKA’s celebration of life taking place at Sandton Convention Centre and that Mega billboard.
“Nivo, Tshiamo, Siya, Don, Moozlie, Pumza, Kelz, Zaz, Sibu G and the whole gang are doing so so so much to make this one spectacular last dance for Forbes. They’re real stars okay 🏆❤️ A whole billboard??? The Sandton CC and everything! So Mega!”
Nivo, Tshiamo, Siya, Don, Moozlie, Pumza, Kelz, Zaz, Sibu G and the whole gang are doing so so so much to make this one spectacular last dance for Forbes. They’re real stars okay 🏆❤️ A whole billboard??? The Sandton CC and everything! So Mega!
— Sibu Mabena (@sibumabena) February 15, 2023
AKA will be laid to rest on Saturday in a private funeral. His memorial on Friday is open to the public and those who were unable to obtain the free tickets have been encouraged to watch the memorial online.