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Johannesburg, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — Social media erupted in criticism this week after fans dissected DJ and producer Murdah Bongz’s birthday tributes to his daughters, Kairo Forbes and Asante Mohosana, spotting stark differences in tone and length.
The scrutiny intensified when users noticed a prominent photo of Kairo’s late father, rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, on the family wall, fueling speculation about lingering influences and blended family dynamics. As the 39-year-old former Black Motion member navigates fatherhood in the public eye, Mzansi’s reactions range from empathy to accusations of favoritism, highlighting the pressures on celebrity parents.
The controversy ignited on platforms like TikTok and Facebook, where users shared screenshots of Murdah’s posts. For Kairo’s ninth birthday on July 8, 2025, he penned an emotional message: “Happy birthday, my soul. Words can’t describe how much I love you.
You’re a blessing that came to my life, made it endlessly beautiful.” In contrast, his September 8, 2025, post for three-year-old Asante was brief: “Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter.” Fans quickly labeled the disparity “unfair,” with one TikTok comment reading: “Why the long love letter for Kairo but short for your own blood? Favoritism much?”
The AKA photo, visible in a home video shared by Murdah, added fuel to the fire. Users pointed to the framed image on the wall as a symbol of AKA’s enduring presence in the household, despite Murdah marrying DJ Zinhle in 2024 and welcoming Asante in 2021.
“He’s back in a house with AKA’s picture staring down— no wonder the messages feel off,” one Facebook user commented, referencing Murdah’s role as stepfather to seven-year-old Kairo since Zinhle’s relationship with him began in 2021. AKA, murdered in February 2023 outside a Durban restaurant, remains a cultural icon, and his daughter Kairo, a kidfluencer with over 1 million Instagram followers, often honors him publicly.
Murdah Bongz, real name Bongani Mohosana, has embraced Kairo as his own, frequently sharing heartfelt posts about her. In April 2025, he captioned photos of her: “I have a beautiful daughter that was born before I met her ❤️,” promoting his album Asante III—named after his biological daughter. Yet, the perceived imbalance drew ire. On Facebook, Lady Londie compiled reactions, sparking debates about stepparenting in blended families.
Tarry Maringire shared: “From someone who grew up with a half sister whose father had passed away, my father used to give my half sister more attention so that she never felt the void of not having a father.” Snenhlanhla Hlophe echoed: “I understand this. My grandmother and my mother raised my late Aunt’s son, and they gave him more attention so that he wouldn’t feel the void.”
Not all feedback was negative. Kabelo Portia Mkansi noted: “That girl [Asante] is still a toddler and won’t even see his long paragraphs even if he puts in more words.” Sihle Mlaba took a pragmatic view: “What people are not realising is that Bongz is getting free publicity… Keep angling and talking about his name; y’all are boosting his relevance.” The discourse ties into broader conversations about co-parenting after AKA’s death, with Lynn Forbes (AKA’s mother) often posting about Kairo’s milestones, including her bond with Murdah.
DJ Zinhle, 40, and Murdah have shared glimpses of their blended family life, including a January 2025 video where both daughters laughed together. In a recent podcast, Zinhle revealed a past disagreement resolved with a thoughtful gift from Murdah, emphasizing their strong partnership. Despite the backlash, Murdah has not responded publicly, focusing on his music, including the 2025 album Asante III.
The incident underscores the scrutiny faced by celebrity families in South Africa, where social media amplifies every post. With Kairo’s influence growing—her July 2025 birthday post to Murdah read, “I love you so much ❤️”—fans hope the family finds unity amid the noise. As one X user put it: “Parenting in the spotlight is tough—let them love in peace.”
