The killing of South African rapper Kiernan Forbes popularly known as AKA became a shock to many, especially his fans across the globe.
AKA was shot dead on Florida Road, Durban, South Africa, Friday night according to police sources.
Here are five things to know about the famous rapper:
1. Born January 1988 and raised in Cape Town, AKA gained recognition after releasing his single “Victory Lap” from his debut studio album, Altar Ego (2010).
2. AKA continued in the limelight by releasing studio albums which include Levels (2014), Touch My Blood (2018), Bhovamania (2020), and the collaborative album with Anatii, titled Be Careful What You Wish For (2017).
3. In April 2018, he was featured as a special guest on Word Wrestling Entertainment Live events, which were held in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
4.The rapper alongside two friends Vice Versa and Greyhound, formed a hip hop group called Entity in 2002. The group received a nomination for a KORA Award in the Best African Hip Hop category. Entity disbanded in 2006, AKA went on to study sound engineering, and in the same year, he co-founded the production collective The I.V League alongside two other members.
5. On February 21, 2021, AKA posted a picture on Instagram announcing his engagement to girlfriend Nelli Tembe. Unfortunately, Tembe died in April same year after a fall from a hotel in Cape Town.
AKA was shot and killed at a popular night spot in Durban. According to a witness at the scene, he was shot while standing on the pavement when gunfire rang out at about 10pm.
His family in an emotional statement signed by Tony and Lynn Forbes, confirmed AKA’s death, asking to be kept in prayers.
“It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved son, and confirm his untimely and tragic passing on the evening or February 10, 2023. We are awaiting further details from Durban police.
“To us, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, most importantly father to his beloved daughter Kairo.
“To many, he was AKA, Supa Mega, Bhova and the many other names of affection his legion of fans called him by.”
“Our son was loved and he gave love in return. In this time of grief we appeal for your compassion, space and time to congregate as family to decide on the upcoming days. We thank you for the love and support we have received thus far, and ask you to continue to keep us in your prayers and uplifted in the Lord,” the family said in the Saturday statement.
