AKA had been gearing up for the release of his album Mass Country for 2 years and like his family stated, "he always kept the album release momentum and anticipation high."
His death came days before the release date, which is on the 24th of February 2023. His family issued a statement revealing plans to keep the release date as is.
AKA gave us a taste of what his album is going to sound like with the release of the lead single Lemons (Lemonade) featuring Nasty C. We do believe without a doubt the album will be a banger, should it be up to standard like the hit single which went Gold weeks after it's release.
In the statement, the Forbes family said the album will still be released on the 24th in order to celebrate the late rapper. In the statement Vth Season, T Effect and Sony Music Entertainment Africa, said they are going to go ahead and release the project.
“With the nation engulfed with the grief of the tragic and untimely passing of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes', the Forbes family have acknowledged the outpouring of support and love from South Africa and beyond,” read the release.
“The family continues to celebrate the life of their son. To honour his legacy, they are choosing to continue with the release of The Mass Country album on the 24th of February 2023 as planned. In the past two years, ‘Mass Country’ had become AKA’s entire world. The Supa Mega constantly kept the album release momentum and anticipation high.”
Supa Mega's co-manager co-executive producer of “Mass Country” Nhlanhla “Nivo” Ndimande, said, “The team was extremely blessed to work so closely on this project with Kiernan. We spent a lot of time mapping out this roll-out and creating all the content we have under his direction.”
“Kiernan worked tremendously hard on this project. He put his heart and soul into it, and we were blessed that he got the opportunity to map out this entire roll-out and approve all the elements, so what will be coming out will be as per his direction and his vision. We thank the Forbes family for their faith in the entire team working on this project,” said Nivo.
Sean Watson, Managing Director at his record label Sony Music Entertainment Africa shared the nations grief, “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones as we all traverse this difficult time of mourning the loss of a dearly beloved and respected artist. Our hearts are broken. All of us at Sony Music convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family, friends, the Megacy and South Africa.”
Raphael Benza from Vth Season also added, “Kiernan worked very hard on this project. The energy and the expectations from the Megacy fuelled him to make a masterpiece. We are delighted, even at our saddest moment, to share the music he left behind for us for eternity. Long Live, Supa Mega, Live Long!! The world will never forget AKA and that’s a promise.”
Fans can also expect new music from AKA's album tomorrow titled Company and it features Kiddominant.
“Ahead of the album’s release, tomorrow a new single titled ‘Company’ featuring longtime collaborator and friend Kiddominant will be made available. The pair previously worked together on AKA's smash hit single ‘Fela In Versace’.”
