Da Les’s clothing brand Amakipkip has apologised over its AKA tribute tees.
Images via Instagram:
@2freshles/ @amakipkipstore
‘Sorry’: Da LES’s company responds to AKA tribute tee backlash
Saving face? Da LES’s clothing brand Amakipkip has apologised to AKA’s family over claims it was ‘profiting’ off the late rapper.
Da Les’s clothing brand Amakipkip has apologised over its AKA tribute tees.
Images via Instagram:
@2freshles/ @amakipkipstore
Amakipkip’s rapper owner Da LES has apologised to the family of his friend AKA – or Kiernan Forbes – after being accused of trying to “exploit” his legacy.
This, after the local clothing brand advertised an unauthorised T-shirt featuring the slain star’s face. On Monday, 7 August, family and friends of AKA called out the label for their brazen creation.
In February, Forbes was shot and killed by unknown attackers outside a Durban eatery. No arrests have been made.
ALSO READ: ‘NO SHAME’: AKA’s brother slams Da LES over tribute T-shirts
DA LES ACCUSED OF ‘EXPLOITING’ AKA’S LEGACY
This week, the official Instagram account of Amakipkip store advertised a T-shirt featuring the images of AKA. The item was priced at R600.
Brand founder Da Les was also seen wearing the tee at his birthday celebrations at Montana nightclub in Rosebank.
ALSO READ: ‘I will take you’: AKA’s dad teases fight with Cassper Nyovest
The T-shirt rivals another recent one featuring the rapper’s face from local label Cultish. Unlike Amakipkip, the merchandise was approved by Forbes’s family, with proceeds going directly to them.
Last year, the friends ended their beef at the CottonFest music festival after old allegations Forbes had romantically pursued Da L.E.S’s baby mama Aurea Alexander.
AMAKIPKIP APOLOGISES
After being put on blast by AKA’s brother Steffan Forbes and girlfriend Nadia Nakai as well as the Megacy – the late star’s legion of fans – Amakipkip issued a statement of apology.
ALSO READ: ‘PR stunt’: Fikile Mbalula dragged over ‘justice for AKA’ tweet
It read: “We extend our deepest apologies for any hurt caused by our recent release of a tribute T-shirt for the late rapper AKA, without obtaining consent from the entire family. Our intention was never to cause offense but rather to pay homage to AKA’s legacy and seek justice.
“Regrettably, we underestimated the significance of obtaining consent from the entire AKA Family, and for this oversight, we are truly sorry”
Amakipkip revealed that sales of the T-shirts had been halted.
It added: “We are committed to growing from this experience and to demonstrating more thoughtfulness and sensitivity moving forward.”
