South Africa🇿🇦: Confusion Sparks After Mysterious Track Appears on Late Rapper AKA's Spotify

 

Fans of the late South African hip-hop star Kiernan "AKA" 

Forbes were left confused and concerned this week after a mysterious, unannounced song briefly appeared on his official Spotify profile. The track, titled "Aka (Cocktail)," quickly drew attention on social media, with many questioning if the beloved rapper’s account had been compromised.

The controversy began when a TikTok user, @sthobi_, shared a viral video highlighting the strange appearance of the new single. Fans who rushed to check Spotify confirmed the track was visible, despite it not sounding like AKA's signature style or being in his language, and having never been announced by his estate or team.

The incident is particularly sensitive given the tragic circumstances of AKA's death. The rapper was gunned down in February 2023 outside a Durban venue, alongside his friend Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane. Since his passing, no new music has been officially released outside of his critically acclaimed final project, Mass Country, which continues to earn massive streams.

With AKA's account boasting over 526,000 monthly listeners as of September 2025, the unsanctioned upload did not go unnoticed.

Glitch or Hack? Debate Erupts Online

The track, which was eventually removed from the profile, sparked a heated debate among fans and social media users.

Some argued that the appearance might be a simple platform glitch, suggesting the song belonged to a different artist who shares the same name, "Aka." This theory was supported by the discovery of another unrelated track, "Shamanik Revolt," also briefly listed under his profile.

However, many insisted that the situation was more serious, leading to calls for AKA's management to issue a clarification. Comments flooded social media, ranging from concern over a potential hack to disbelief and even humour.

"Nahhh, it’s hacked. I listened to it," one fan wrote. Another added, "It’s another artist with the same name, I guess. But that cover art was so weird."

Despite the brief moment of chaos, the incident ultimately served to highlight the enduring power of AKA's legacy. Fans continue to actively stream his music, with Mass Country recently surpassing 42 million global streams on Spotify, cementing his status as one of South Africa’s most timeless musical artists.

Do you think streaming platforms need better safeguards to prevent these kinds of artist profile mix-ups?