Bankslave Immortalizes AKA in Kibera Streets

Bankslave, the renowned Kenyan graffiti artist,  has immortalized AKA (real name Kiernan J. Forbes) with a portrait wall mural in the streets of Nairobi. The South African rapper was recently shot at close range outside a restaurant in eastern Durban.

The 35-year-old award-winning rapper is the latest victim of gun violence in South Africa. About four months ago, another South African amapiano musician, DJ Sumbody, was fatally shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Jo’burg city.

AKA’s parents confirmed his death by putting out a statement on his Twitter account noting that “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, 2023.”

The rapper visited Kenya on multiple occasions, including in 2017 as the headliner for the 10th-year edition of Nairobi Fest (Blankets and Wine). During his visit, he guested Larry Madowo on #TheTrend where he briefly opened up about his support for the ANC political party’s presidential candidate, Jacob Zuma. Still, while on #TheTrend, he talked about the second stage of South Africa’s revolution to be economic empowerment following the first stage’s political power.

“The first stage of the revolution was political power, now we’re trying to get economic power for the masses in South Africa,” AKA told me in 2017.

Rest in power, #AKAworldwide ✊🏾pic.twitter.com/PFgRbZgjN1

— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) February 12, 2023

AKA’s hit songs include The World is Yours, Victory Lap, All Eyes of Me, Make Me Sing, and Congratulate.

Bankslave’s mural of AKA can be found in Fort Jesus (off Ngong Road). Bankslave is known for immortalizing popular leaders and entertainers. In the past, he has done murals of Papa Shirandula and Mzee Ojwang’, Michael K. Williams (American actor), and Nipsey Hussle, among others. Of course, he has also used his artistic talent to celebrate living legends such as Eliud Kipchoge and Lupita Nyong’o.

A great piece of artwork in the streets of Nairobi! pic.twitter.com/Y0deGcJ9xO

— Eliud Kipchoge – EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) December 12, 2022

During an interview with The Standard newspaper, when asked about the reason why he likes to do murals of prominent historical figures, he answered that:

You know, when I choose my subjects, usually, I think of the young person who might be passing by. I want them to be inspired and to find someone to look up to.

 So, by putting up a Lupita or [Obama], I hope to provoke thoughts and questions in the young person’s mind. That way, they can get interested in that person, find out about him or her and may be they can emulate how they lived. Or they can get to be inspired to do better.

Hence, the AKA mural, among other reasons, serves to provoke thoughts and questions in passersby’s minds, lead those who didn’t know him to learn and get interested in him, get inspired, and eventually emulate how he lived.

Rest in peace to AKA.