Local rapper AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, received backlash on social media for failing to bring home a BET Award.
The World is Yours hitmaker lost out to Nigerian rapper Burna Boy, who walked away with the Best International Act award, on Sunday, June 23.
The competition was stiff as he was in the running with international heavyweights Mr Eazi from Nigeria, Dave from the United Kingdom, Dosseh from France and, Aya Nakamura from France and Giggs form the United Kingdom. But instead of celebrating and congratulating the star for representing South Africa on the international stages, tweeps tore him apart for walking away empty-handed, again, under the hashtag #AKAwinanga, which simply means “AKA did not win”.
This is the fourth time that AKA the multi-award winning rapper was nominated for the BET Awards Best International Act and came home empty handed. He was previously nominated in 2015, 2016 and in 2017.
Twitter is having a field day with the rapper but AKA doesn’t seem bothered by the trolls.
When one Twitter user @Fulllittledrag1 tweeted: “I heard u got the best nominee attendance certificate @akaworldwide pass by my house we gona laminate it 😂 #BETAwards #Akawinanga."
Instead of his normal clap back, the All Eyes On Me star just laughed it off.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 no cap ... that’s actually pretty funny. https://t.co/UEvVulMoXg
— AKA (@akaworldwide) June 24, 2019
But tweeps continue bashing the star.
#Akawinanga DJ zinhle is the only thing his capable of winning 🙌🏽
— Ndumiso (@Ndu_Jolas) June 25, 2019
Many confusing the #Akawinanga as hate when its not that rather
1.THE TRUTH akawini vele!
2.He started it last year its more of a taste of his medicine.
3.its not hate bt funny as to how is it funny he should know he was at it last year.
He was representing the country? Really?
— Kubengunie Mou (@Mou_Mngunie) June 25, 2019
So @akaworldwide went overseas to take pictures #Akawinanga
— SiphesihleMbatha (@siphesihlembat4) June 24, 2019
Someone said AKA went to the BET awards to baby sit Sho Madjozi😂😂😢😢😢 Nisile yaz nina! #Akawinanga pic.twitter.com/4SLyPlaTwW
— Nonhle G (@Nonhlanhla_EG) June 24, 2019
“This same time last year AKA himself spent the day rejoicing in his fellow South African's loss with #Akawinanga. He tweeted and retweeted posts from his fans celebrating Cass's loss. Our artists themselves need to grow up and set a better example, added @AgnesAngua.
But Megacy came into AKA’s defence, while others reminded AKA how he was rejoicing when his arch rival Cassper Nyovest lost to Sjava in 2018.
I honestly can't believe that this hashtag is trending, what you people, yes (you people) are doing to Aka is inhumane. Point is he got nominated and gets recognition all over the world for his work. he might not have gotten an award but he's winning #Akawinanga pic.twitter.com/YglwTmbQbj
— Nobuhle B. (@missnobuhle_) June 25, 2019
Our Artists are getting recognized on a world stage but people rather throw shade then applaud 😑 how we gon move forward if we don't even support eachother 🇿🇦 #Akawinanga
— 🌴 Mac Doper 🌴 (@MacDoper) June 25, 2019
I really hate this #Akawinanga hashtag. A man goes out to represent not just himself but an entire country. Instead of rallying behind him as he makes a path for SA recognition we laugh at him for not bringing one home. You don't have to like the guy but sies. pic.twitter.com/XEKVNRJPrn
— In too deep🌊 (@MidnightSlammer) June 25, 2019 You guys defending AKA, have you forgotten what he tweeted when Cassper didn’t win last year? #Akawinanga pic.twitter.com/emCzijTe6x
— Jerry (@SaintBofficial1) June 25, 2019