BBC
On the opening track of his 2011 breakthrough solo album Altar Ego, AKA said he “never planned… never wanted to be a celebrity”.
But the South African, who was gunned down in Durban a week ago, did not hold back about his talents.
A few days before his death, which police believe was a targeted killing, the award-winning 35-year-old rapper anointed himself as the best producer in his genre.
Sparking a huge debate, the artist who also went by the nickname Supa Mega, tweeted: “Statistically speaking, since I’ve produced 90% of all my music, surely I’m the greatest SA hip-hop producer of all time.”
But already in 2014, on Congratulate, one of the hits that solidified his megastar status, he said he would be “shining like a diamond that’s forever, now congratulate me”.
Thousands of fans – known collectively as “The Megacy” – are expected to either follow online or turn up at his public memorial on Friday in Johannesburg, making sure that he will continue to shine.
He may have said that he did not want it but he undoubtedly achieved that celebrity status. The leader of one of South Africa’s provinces, Gauteng, even elevated his status to national hero suggesting a state funeral – a request that was denied by the president.
However, his life and career were not without controversy…
