Lynn Forbes, mother of the late South African rapper AKA, recently appeared on the L-Tido Podcast, where she addressed ongoing public curiosity surrounding her son’s unreleased music. During the conversation, she confirmed that there is a significant amount of material that was never officially released, while also explaining the complexities involved in deciding its future.
“There is unreleased music, loads of it,” she said, acknowledging long-standing speculation among fans. However, she made it clear that no final decision has been taken regarding whether that music will ever be made public. “I can’t say never, I cannot say yes it will happen at this point in time,” she explained, indicating that the matter remains under consideration.
Forbes highlighted that decisions about the music are not hers alone to make, noting the involvement of AKA’s estate. “There is an estate, we need to look at what can be done and what cannot be done,” she said. This includes both legal and ethical considerations, as well as ensuring that any actions taken are aligned with what the artist himself would have wanted.
She stressed that releasing music simply in response to public demand would not be appropriate. “We can also not do things for the sake of the fans wanting music,” she said. Instead, she emphasized a guiding question that shapes her thinking: “For me, it’s always, ‘would Kiernan have released this music?’”
The discussion also touched on the possibility of releasing all available material. Forbes acknowledged that this could technically be done, but questioned whether it should be. “On the one hand, we could probably release all the music if we want to do that, but do we want to do it? How would he have felt about this?” she said, underscoring the importance of maintaining the artist’s standards and intentions.
Speaking candidly, Forbes shared her personal stance on the matter. “So personally, if it was up to me, that music will never be released. If I have to make the final decision, it will not happen. That’s how I feel about it,” she stated. Her comments reflected a protective approach toward her son’s legacy and body of work.
She further explained that her perspective is shaped by both her role as a mother and her understanding of AKA’s professional values. “There’s the mother, and then there’s something different,” she said, indicating the dual responsibility she feels. While acknowledging fan interest, she emphasized the need for careful evaluation before any decisions are made.
Forbes described AKA as an artist who prioritized quality and precision. “As a mother knowing my son and his work ethic, he was about perfection,” she said. This standard, she noted, raises questions about whether unreleased material meets the level he would have approved. “Can we actually do that with his music? Are we capable of doing that with his music to a point he would have done?” she asked.
Her remarks highlighted the balance between public interest and preserving artistic integrity. While the existence of unreleased music has been confirmed, its future remains uncertain, with decisions likely to be guided by both legal structures and a commitment to honoring AKA’s legacy.
