One of South Africa’s award-winning rap artists passed away this week. We are all aware that AKA was one of the hippest and coolest rappers on the continent, and the fashion community has also lost a fashion icon as a result of his death. We have witnessed AKA’s musical and fashion development over time, from when he was a teenager caught up in bad fashion choices and fumbling his way out of style to the refined man who wore tailored suits. It’s safe to say that AKA had all kinds of problems, but he never had any

 

 

 

 

 

 

problems with his clothes.

Every time he went out or it was time to take a picture, he always looked great. His moment on the red carpet at Cruz Vodka SA Fashion Week last year still haunts some. AKA was by far the most stylish.

AKA displaying his Rolex watch while donning LV shades

BEST DRESSED

Of course, Ole Ledimo, the extraordinary designer behind many of South Africa’s best-dressed men, would not have been able to achieve that look. Ledimo, the CEO and founder of House of Ole, is behind most of AKA’s formal looks and red carpet moments, like the Cruz party, and he says working with the rapper was easy and good. GQ and other publications have named Ole and AKA the best dressed at the South African Style Awards. For any designer, dealing with a client who knows exactly what they want and how they want it—like Cruz’s party outfit, which was custom-made and he knew exactly how he wanted it to be—is the most exciting challenge. “He paid attention to detail, he knew what fabric, cut,” Ole said.

Contrary to popular belief, Ole asserts that investing in fashion can also assist one in elevating their brand. Putting money into yourself is never a bad thing because it shows that you take your brand seriously and that looking good is part of the game,” he continues. AKA was unquestionably a demonstration of that; we saw the Fella in Versace singer flaunt his pricey Rolex, expensive sunglasses that could cost more than an illegal RDP house in the hood, expensive cars, and expensive travel. He gave us looks, and it’s safe to say that if there were an international best-dressed artist, he would unquestionably represent South Africa.