The tale of Mega and the Masses
Have we all been able to conclude that Supa Mega is a national treasure? It’s starting to seem that way and it’s about damn time. From the moment AKA came onto the mainstream scene he has had his haters (and in no way am I saying they have disappeared). But I’ll admit even I; a proud Doro Supa Mega, Shawn Michaels Jackson, Ta’ kaKairo stan, didn’t know how to feel when I first heard Victory Lap. The negativity was soon washed away and ever since I’ve felt the beams, and that was before the beams were beams bro.
Sadly, not everyone was quick to recognise the talent or rather refused to acknowledge it. The refusal most people had was based off AKA’s most recognizable characteristic: his ego. Most of us already had the sense all the way back then to understand he had every right to have the confidence and belief he had in himself. The dislike (hate, it’s definitely hate) was so deep that people weren’t willing to admit to the greatness that was Levels.
To help their cause, the AKA hater found a saviour and “equal” to the Mega’s dominance in SA Hip Hop, that being Cassper Nyovest. For any Cassper fan who wants to fight me about those words, I’m very much aware - like the rest of you - that Cassper has become much more than that but at that time, that was his place in the game. For an AKA fan, it was dark days. You knew that the man was making amazing music but everyone around you made you feel crazy for even suggesting it. Plaques and one song were used to drown out any argument you had for AKA. It was like they had him where they wanted him. A part of me was losing faith that he was going to be able to reassert his dominance. But a squashing of beef, reigniting of beef and another squashing later, "SUPA MEGA he on top again". In that song, you hear that he too recognized that his grip over the industry had loosened but now he’s back and he’s better. The day me and a friend heard the song together we said that maybe AKA should leave and move to America or something to find the love and support he deserved (I realize that was stupid, it was the anger and frustration speaking) because clearly South Africans weren’t deserving of his greatness but now it seems the tides are changing. AKA is making the best music he’s ever made and it looks like everyone is in agreement of that. The Mega wave is about to go global and it looks like South Africa is ready to be a part of the ride.
