Kiernan Jarryd Forbes: How Rapper #AKA Was Shot Dead Outside Restaurant—-Social media is ablaze with condolence messages for AKA. The rapper passed away after being shot by unknown gunmen in Durban on Friday.
South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA has been shot dead.
AKA was due to perform at a Durban night club, YUGO, where he was expected to perform as part of his birthday celebrations.
Police sources in Durban have confirmed rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes was shot dead in a drive-by shooting on Florida Road on Friday night.
Another person believed to be AKA’s bodyguard, was also wounded, while another unidentified person, who is understood to be a close friend of AKA, has been shot dead.
The 35-year-old won multiple South African awards, was nominated several times for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award in the United States, and was once nominated for an MTV Europe Music Award.
“It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved son,” his parents Tony and Lynn Forbes said in a statement posted on AKA’s Twitter account. “Our son was loved, and he gave love in return.”
He was gunned down on Friday night alongside another man while they were walking towards their car from a restaurant.
“They were allegedly approached by two armed suspects who walked to them from across the street and shot the victims at close range,” police said in a statement.
Shootings are common in South Africa, which has one of the world’s highest murder rates.
Many people have licensed firearms for personal protection, yet there are many more illegal guns in circulation.
AKA was a popular South African rapper that was accepted across the world. He was engulfed in a war of words with Nigeria’s Burna Boy during Xenophobic attacks in South Africa and other times.
AKA is among SA’s best rappers and has produced and written many hit songs including Fela In Versace, Baddest and others since he broke into the industry over a decade ago.
He shares a daughter, Kairo, with DJ Zinhle and was in relationship with rapper Nadia Nakai.
As at the time of filling this report, It remains unclear what the motive for the shooting was.
