Well-known rapper K.O, real name Ntokozo Mdluli has recently revealed that being in the music industry feels a little different without fellow artists AKA and Riky Rick.
K.O is known for having produced several hits throughout the years, told news and entertainment publication – The Sowetan – that being surrounded by the late rappers was a blessing in disguise. He added that they motivated him to reach greater heights in his own career.
During his interview, he went as far as comparing their relationship to that of the top European footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonel Messi.
“See, the way I feel about it is, for example, if Messi (touch wood) were to pass away, Cristiano Rolando would possibly feel a certain way… he’d probably stop playing soccer,” he said.
“You know, the people you actually compete with are the reason why you go a little bit harder because they keep raising the bar but in the same breath, you’re not aware that you’re positioning yourself to be great or elevated as an artist.”
“Whenever AKA would drop something, I’d be like, ‘Man, how do I come up with something stronger?’ Kiernan [AKA’s birth name] would always keep you on your toes. So, when such starts diminishing, whether by an unfortunate passing of a rapper or rapper’s tenacity to keep going, it makes it hard for one to keep the bar high.”
Meanwhile, both rappers passed away in February, Riky Rick as a result of suicide in 2022 and AKA who was brutally murdered in 2023.
Their passing has been felt throughout the entertainment community.
Last year rapper Nasty spoke to Hip-hop publication Slikour onLife on what the passing on The Supa Mega, as AKA was known, meant to the industry to which he responded:
“I think it’s still fresh in our minds, just the fact that he’s gone and the way that he left. So Hip-Hop is not in its best state right now. But as far as us getting together and making music, I think it’s in a good place sonically.”
