Panshak Henry Zamani, Nigerian rapper, popularly known as Ice Prince, has opened up about the pain he still feels over the death of his South African colleague, Kiernan Forbes, widely known as AKA.
The rapper revealed that he continues to struggle with the loss because of an unsettled disagreement between them before AKA’s death.
Ice Prince made this known while speaking on the G2G Podcast. He explained that their fallout started in 2019 after AKA made controversial remarks about Nigerians during the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The comments sparked outrage at the time, and Ice Prince, who had maintained a close relationship with AKA, publicly called him out.
He noted that prior to the misunderstanding, both rappers had enjoyed a strong friendship and worked together on several music collaborations. According to him, AKA had even visited his home in Lagos on multiple occasions, which made their bond more personal.
Speaking with regret, Ice Prince said he wished they had the chance to resolve their issues before AKA was shot dead outside a restaurant in Durban, South Africa, in February 2023.
In his words, “I wish we got to speak about it because we never. And it hurt me so bad because that’s my friend. AKA wasn’t just an artist that I collaborated with. He has been to my house in Lagos a couple of times. That’s my friend. It did hurt me that we never got to settle that misunderstanding.”
The rapper, however, said he has been able to find comfort through prayer. He revealed that he constantly remembers AKA during his prayers and believes they are now at peace.
“But I have prayed about it so many times. I still see him in my prayers. Sometimes, when I’m praying, I see him there. So, I know we are at peace. I know he looks out for me as one of my homeboys in heaven,” Ice Prince said.
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AKA was shot and killed on February 10, 2023, in Durban, South Africa. His death was widely reported and led to an outpouring of tributes across the African music industry.