South African clothing apparel brand Amakipkip, owned by Nkosana Modise, has come under fire for using the late rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes' face for their new designs without clearing it with his family and label Vth Season. The t-shirt first retailed at R600. The brand has in the past made tribute t-shirts for deceased DJ Citi Lyts.

SHOCKING!

AKA's younger brother, Steffan Forbes, brought attention to the situation when he responded to a post from the brand's Instagram account where they were selling t-shirts with AKA's images on them. He wrote, "No shame @amakipkipstore." The late rapper's girlfriend Nadia Nakai also expressed her shock This is not the first time the brand is getting into trouble. A young designer previously expose them to stealing his designs.

AN APOLOGY

The clothing brand has since put out a statement apologising for the infringement. Dear Lynn, Tony & Steffan Forbes, the AKA Family, The Megacy, our esteemed fans, and the wider public. We want to address a recent situation that has sparked concern and distress within our community," the statement reads. "We extend our deepest apologies for any hurt caused by our recent release of a tribute t-shirt for the late rapper AKA, without obtaining consent from the entire family. Our intention was never to cause offense, but rather to pay homage to AKA's legacy and seek justice. In the realm of hip hop culture, honouring our icons through tributes is a longstanding tradition."

AKA’S FAMILY

They go on to say, that the tribute t-shirt was conceived as a sincere expression of respect for AKA's profound impact on the music industry and it was meant to commemorate his life. "Just as we've witnessed with other luminaries like 2Pac and Biggie, these tributes are a heartfelt way of celebrating their artistry and the lasting imprint they've left on our lives. Regrettably, we underestimated the significance of obtaining consent from the entire AKA Family, and for this oversight, we are truly sorry," the statement reads. "We recognise that our actions did not align with the reverence and respect that AKA's memory deserves. Our deepest apologies go out to AKA Family, his devoted fans base, The Megacy, and the public for any pain we may have inadvertently caused. We have taken immediate action to rectify this situation by discontinuing the AKA tribute t-shirts in question. Furthermore, we are committed to engaging in a comprehensive review of our procedures to ensure that our endeavours consistently uphold the values of empathy, integrity, and the authentic honouring of legacies we aspire to achieve," the statement said. 

LEARNING FROM THEIR MISTAKES

Modise went on to say that their initial intentions were rooted in authenticity and compassion, much like they did with DJ Citi Lyts Tribute Tees last year. "As we reflect on this experience, we understand the need to learn from our mistakes and take steps to rebuild trust within our community. We welcome your feedback and insights as we work to find more suitable ways to honour AKA's memory and support his family during these tough times while being considerate of their wishes. Once again, we offer our heartfelt apologies to Lynn, Tony, and Steffan Forbes, the AKA family, fans and the broader public. We are committed to growing from this," he added.