“Grief Has Altered Me Forever”: Lynn Forbes Pens Heartbreaking Tribute To AKA
“Grief Has Altered Me Forever”: Lynn Forbes Pens Heartbreaking Tribute To AKA. In a deeply emotional reflection shared with her followers, Lynn Forbes—mother of the late South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes—opened up about the enduring pain and transformative power of grief, two years after her son’s tragic death.
In a poignant Instagram post, Lynn revealed how the sound of a heart-wrenching cry recently transported her back to the very moment she first heard the news of her son’s passing. “This sound 💔 This heart-wrenching, all-consuming cry, from the depths of your soul,” she began. “Listening to this, I relive how I cried when I first received the news of my son’s death … that was just over two years ago.”
Lynn vividly recalls collapsing to her knees, overwhelmed by the unbearable weight of the moment. “I knew I would never be the same, and I have never been,” she wrote.
But while the loss of AKA has left an unfilled void, Lynn shared how her grief has become a path to deeper awareness. “Grief has altered me forever, but in that transformation, I found a deeper way of living,” she expressed. “Now, I value life, moments, presence and above all, peace … more than anything else … peace.”
Since AKA’s untimely death in February 2023, Lynn has become a pillar of grace and strength in the public eye, continuing to honour his legacy with vulnerability and love. In her latest tribute, she affirmed that she carries Kiernan with her in every facet of her life. “It feels like the only way I can honour your memory is through choosing to live fully, unapologetically, with love and joy … the way you lived.”
Closing the post with a heartfelt message to her son, she wrote, “I miss you so much … every moment of every day 💜.”
AKA, one of South Africa’s most beloved and influential hip hop artists, left a lasting legacy not only through his music but also through his vibrant spirit and devotion to family. Lynn’s words offer a sobering reminder of the enduring ache of loss and the strength it takes to keep living with purpose in the face of unimaginable pain.
