By Kaya 959 Entertainment
South African rapper, AKA, has confirmed that he will be stepping away from the spotlight to focus on his “current state of mind”.
AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, says he will be taking a break from all public appearances and live performances in the wake of allegations and speculation over his relationship with Anele ‘Nelli’ Tembe.
AKA’s PR team says he “has elected to take a step back from the [Joburg Day] musical eventing space because he is currently in a space where he feels it is necessary to place a greater emphasis on looking after his emotional and physical well-being.”
The team adds that “out of respect for current social conversation about him, in the public domain, he has chosen to take the necessary timeout of self-introspection and healing so that he can adequately address all the pertinent issues in due course.”
Shocking videos and images leaked
This week, the world was given some insight into the couple’s seemingly troubled relationship after a graphic video emerged showing the hip hop star breaking down a door to get to Tembe.
Further details around the video have yet to be revealed however many have called for radio stations and TV music channels to refrain from playing AKA’s songs.
Following the video release, AKA issed a statement in which he denied gender-based violence allegations.
“We enjoyed a beautiful yet challenging relationship that at times was tumultuous, like all relationships. Made worse by the pressure of being in the public eye, which we too played up to.”
“I will not be a part of speaking on or exposing our troubles as a couple, to defend myself from one-sided views that are portrayed out of their full context. Every story has two sides and so does every video, image and message,” AKA said.
AKA’s father speaks out
His father, Tony Forbes, has spoken out in his defence.
“You want to mute him so that you don’t have to listen to the other side of the story? You want to take away a man’s bread and butter on the basis of an unnamed source who sent images showing him breaking down a door, nothing more? Have you actually engaged in verifiable facts?” he wrote on Instagram.
Forbes snr’s comments were made following a statement by GBV advocacy group, Women For Change.
In an Instagram post, the group called on radio stations, TV stations and music streaming apps to mute the rapper – with immediate effect.
“It is overdue to show South African once and for all that women matter! We want justice for Nellie,” the group said.
Tembe fell to her death from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town last month.
