THE FUSE

South African rapper Nadia Nakai recently sat down on L-Tido’s podcast and spoke openly about a topic that has fascinated fans for years—her life after the loss of her late partner, Kiernan “AKA” Forbes. For Nadia, it was a moment to reflect on her journey of love, grief, and self-discovery, and to give herself permission to embrace the next chapter of her life.

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During the conversation, Nadia addressed speculation about her personal life, particularly rumors suggesting she may be dating fellow artist Toss. She explained her perspective with honesty and courage, saying, “I eventually do want a life partner,” adding that she hopes people can accept the possibility of her loving someone new.

Nadia admitted that her recent appearance as a vixen in Toss’s music video was more than just a performance—it was a statement about her healing process. “I’ve mourned, I’ve healed, I’ve been respectful,” she shared, reflecting on the emotional journey she has undergone since AKA’s passing. She revealed that the kiss in the music video was partly an experiment, a way to gauge how her fans would react to her moving forward and reclaiming her personal freedom.

When asked what she had gained from taking part in the video, Nadia’s response was heartfelt and unflinching: “I gained my freedom under this cloud and stigma that I’m forever frozen in time as someone’s widow when I wasn’t married to him. You need to understand that Kiernan has been dead longer than I was with him when he was still alive. I’m still Nadia Nakai and I was always Nadia Nakai before and I will be Nadia Nakai after Kiernan.”

Acknowledging the reactions of AKA’s devoted fanbase, the Magacey, Nadia stressed the importance of self-love and the right to move forward. “I love the Magacey but I love myself too. I know I don’t want this life to be alone and I don’t want to spend the rest of my life by myself. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life loving a ghost. I love him. I will always love him. He will always have a special place in my heart but I’m ready to move on.”

Nadia and AKA’s relationship was one of the most talked-about romances in South African hip hop. They began dating in 2021, creating music together and enjoying life side by side. Their happiness was tragically cut short on 10 February 2023, when AKA was shot and killed outside a popular restaurant on Florida Road in Durban. The country grieved the loss of a superstar, and Nadia felt the heartbreak personally. Now, she is cherishing the memories they shared while allowing herself the freedom to heal and open her heart to love once more.