AKA defies pandemic misery with new projects

New EP, booze products and TV show among successes in stellar year

While many people are counting their losses in 2020 due to the outbreak of Covid19, award-winning rapper AKA has been toasting to a lot of successes.

The controversial rapper and businessman born Keenan Forbes in 1988 has made serious headway this year. He launched his signature Cruz Watermelon Vodka in May and last week he released the Cruz Banana flavour. Last week he dropped his EP ( extended play) Bhovamania which is topping the charts right now. And in the same week his television show, The Braai

Show with AKA, made its de

but on SABC1.

“I know the year was depressing for all of us and people were struggling, but for meit was the most productive year. The lockdown and staying at home gave me an opportunity to know myself better. I started asking myself questions. It was frustrating when liquor was not on sale because I am also in the liquor industry,” he says.

AKA, who shot to stardom after releasing his debut solo album Alter Ego in 2011, declarers unapologetically that he is the best in the game. His album’s title is adopted from his nickname Bhova, slang for a big dog.

He says his EP is inspired by his love for wrestling. He says the idea for the EP came about when everyone was sitting at home depressed because the country was under lockdown.

Since I had songs that I had been composing, I said to myself let me make a project and call it Bhovamania .I wanted to make a spectacle and a concept album. It is the first concert EP that I’ve ever done. I said let me incorporate my love for WrestleMania, something based on the showmanship of wrestling, the drama and all the things I love about it.”

Hip-hop critics have deemed Bhovamania flat but AKA is unmoved, claiming “it is the best hip-hop project currently in the market”.

“It is the biggest hip-hop project this year that has been released, and you can quote me on that ... If you look at other albums – Touch My Blood , Alter Ego they all had my face on or my silhouette but with Bhovamania it is not the case. Bhovamania is more like a movie. An album requires more to put it together, while [with] Bhovamania I threw all the rules out of the window... There’s a lot of electric guitar on the album, which is very much in the style of vintage WWE wrestler entrance themes.

The Cape Townborn rapper has earned respect in the industry by producing chart-topping hits. He says the secret behind the hits is that his music is inspired by simple things like his life, and the relationship he has with people around him and his family. He says this time around he got the inspiration to write from his new girlfriend who he did not want to say much about.

AKA found love after ending his relationship with the mother of his daughter DJ

Zinhle Jiyane.

“My music is inspired by the relationship I have with my parents, my siblings, friends and my child. Besides that, my life is interesting enough for me to write a song, ” he says, giggling.

Known for his consistency and producing quality albums, the rapper says he is involved in the production of his music. AKA says what sets him apart from other rappers is that he does not release music for the sake of it.

Bhovamania boasts hits such as Casino, which features Sho Madjozi and Flvme; Heavy Drank, which features K.O; Mufasa; Python , featuring Don Design andMoozlie; as well as Ener, featuring Gemini Major. The multi-talented entertainer says that on the braai show he gives viewers a chance to get know famous people better while relaxing and braaing. The show started with AKA hosting minister of transport Fikile Mbalula, with the two chatting about life, clothes and politics.

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It s the biggest hiphop project this year