Grammy-winning Nigerian star Burna Boy has revealed that his long-standing rift with late South African rapper AKA was quietly resolved before tragedy struck.
The singer shared this deeply personal revelation in an emotional birthday tribute posted on his Instagram page in honour of AKA, born Kiernan Forbes.
In the message, Burna Boy reflected on their journey from public fallout to private peace, expressing regret that their reconciliation never blossomed into the music or shared plans they had spoken about behind closed doors.
Their feud dates back to 2019, a tense period marked by xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in parts of South Africa. At the height of the crisis, Burna Boy reacted strongly to reports suggesting that AKA had shown support for the attacks.
What followed were heated exchanges and public threats that widened the divide between both artists and played out in front of fans across the continent.
According to Burna Boy, time and private conversations eventually softened the situation. Away from social media noise and public scrutiny, both men spoke directly via private messages and settled their differences. The reconciliation, he noted, happened quietly and went largely unnoticed by fans and industry watchers.
Looking back, Burna Boy described the entire fallout as avoidable, admitting it remains one of his regrets. While they restored peace and mutual understanding before AKA’s death, he mourned the fact that they never fully reconnected or collaborated creatively as they had hoped.
AKA was tragically shot and killed outside a restaurant in Durban on February 10, 2023. Investigations into his murder are still ongoing.
Despite his untimely death, AKA’s legacy as one of South Africa’s most influential hip-hop voices endures, just as Burna Boy continues to carry Africa’s sound to the global stage.
Burna Boy wishes AKA a posthumous happy birthday. He said they squashed their beef before he passed away. pic.twitter.com/g2JzqjZkMx
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) January 29, 2026