The 2024 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) were a poignant celebration of South Africa’s musical talent, and one of the standout moments was the posthumous honor bestowed upon AKA and Nasty C. Their electrifying collaboration “Lemons (Lemonade)” won RiSA Audio and Visual Music Video of the Yeara testament to AKA’s enduring legacy and artistic vision.

“Lemons (Lemonade)” captured the hearts of fans with its infectious beat, sleek production, and standout verses from both AKA and Nasty C. The music video, directed with a keen eye for style and energy, blends vivid colors and slick cinematography, matching the track’s vibrant and playful mood. It’s a visual masterpiece that has resonated far beyond the hip hop community, crossing into broader cultural relevance.

This win is bittersweet, coming in the wake of AKA’s tragic death in early 2023. His passing sent shockwaves through the South African music industry, and the SAMAs offered a heartfelt reminder of the indelible impact he made throughout his career. His family, friends, and collaborators have continued to celebrate his music, and this award adds to the legacy he leaves behind.

For Nasty C, this recognition reaffirms his status as one of the most influential figures in South African hip hop, while also marking a special collaboration with an artist he has often credited as an inspiration. Together, AKA and Nasty C created a track and visual experience that remains iconic, underlining the strength of South African hip hop on a global scale.

As fans continue to mourn and celebrate AKA’s legacy, the SAMAs award serves as a fitting tribute to a legend who left an undeniable mark on the music and culture of South Africa.

Reacted to the win AKA’s Mom, Lynn Forbes said “Last night, watching Lemons (Lemonade) win the RiSA Audio Visual Music Video of the Year award, at the SAMA’s, was a moment of profound emotional collision. It filled me with such joy, pride, gratitude and yet an aching emptiness, because Kiernan isn’t physically here to see the love and loyalty that the Megacy continue to pour into his legacy. This award, chosen by all of you, holds a weight and a beauty that words struggle to capture.“

In the midst of my deepest gratitude, I feel a fierce appreciation for each of you who voted, who hold his music close, who keep his memory alive in a way that makes him present, without fail. The Megacy has become our extended family, carrying his competitive spirit forward with courage and devotion. Thank you for honoring him, for loving him, and for standing with him, and with us, through it all. In every vote, in every song streamed or played, I feel the shared heartbeat of a community that holds his light aloft. You’ve given us the gift of knowing he is always celebrated, always loved, and forever a part of this world through you. This is our shared legacy, a bittersweet symphony of love, loss, and gratitude. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you to RiSA and SAMA’s for this coveted award. “