PROKID’S life revolved around music.
And this was not forgotten at his funeral.
As the coffin was lowered into the ground yesterday, his music played in the background and fans and fellow rappers danced.
At the funeral held at the University of Joburg’s Soweto Campus, Prokid’s wife Ayanda Mkhize finally broke her silence.
A letter she wrote to her husband, whose real name was Linda Mkhize, was read by a relative.
“When we met, I knew I had found my life partner. I will always cherish everything you taught. Your kindness was so touching,” the letter read.
“You are the most incredible gift I have been given in this lifetime. You were my safe place and spiritual partner. I loved you in this lifetime and I will love you in the next. Rest in peace, my one.” DJ Sbu also paid tribute to ProKid and his contribution to hip hop.
“Ungapheli umoya San, you shifted the hip hop culture and changed the game. There are people who now own companies because they drew inspiration from you. You put our country on the map and for that we will forever be grateful,” he said.
Penny Lebyane, who directed the funeral programme, said the response to ProKid’s death by the hip hop community showed what a huge influence he had on hip hop culture ekasi.
Dr Sipho Sithole said the UN had hip hop ambassadors around the world because it was a medium the youth understood.
“Listen to the message to understand what these rappers are saying. To write a 16 bar, you need to know what you are saying,” he said.
“Pro made hip hop fashionable and famous. He clearly articulated the cries of young people screaming to be heard.”
Slikour described ProKid as a genius of hip hop. “He took American culture and he brought it to Soweto. I compared Pro to Elvis Presley but he is more because he is our own story to tell.
“We will set up a trust fund for his daughter Nonkanyezi. If he was able to change a culture, what could his daughter do?”
Kabelo Mabalane said ProKid might have been judged in many ways but nothing disqualified him from the love of God.
“It’s not a weakness to show vulnerability if you need to speak to somebody. We need to start talking as artists.”
ProKid’s uncle Sibusiso Nala said he was hurt by the loss.
“I never imagined him facing crowds of thousands because he was as shy as I am. He told me he wanted to do hip hop but I didn’t understand because I thought he would sing gospel,” he said.
A tribute concert will be held at Zone 6 Venue in Diepkloof, Soweto, next Sunday to raise money for a trust fund for ProKid’s daughter. Tickets are available at Computicket for R100.
