AKA is a South African Rapper, Hip hop producer, song writer and a recording artist.
He was shot dead on 10th February 2023 outside a restaurant in Durban, South Africa.
AKA died at the age of 35.
AKA Quick Bio and Achievements.
AKA is not your ordinary celebrity who rise to the limelight and come crashing down.
Since his inception in the hip hop music industry in 2009, he has maintained his consistency in the game.
Even before he met his death in 2023, he was scheduled to release an album the same month.
AKA had achieved alot in terms of building an unbeatable brand and ammassing alot of wealth just from music.
He gained popularity in 2011 after the release of his song ‘Victory Lap’ under the album Altar Ego.
In 2014, he dropped another successfill album titled ‘Levels’.
His Album ‘ Be Careful What You With For’ was featured in the WWE Events which were held in Cape Town and Johanesburg in 2019.
He was also got featured in the Comedy Central SA annual roast in 2019.
He has worked with big hiphop artists like Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Rick Ross, Kendick Lamar and many more.
Here is the Biography and the journey of AKA in the limelight.
AKA Real Name, Age, Brother and Parents.
Kiernan Jarryd Forbes popularly known as AKA was born on 28th January 1988 in Cape Town South Africa.
He has both parents alive, Tony and Lynn Forbes.
In 1995 he moved to Michelle’s Plains to live with his grand mother after his parents separated.
AKA later moved to Johanesburg as ateenager to kick start his career in music.
He has a younger brother called Steffan Forbes.
AKA Education Background.
For his primary education, he joined Holy Cross Covenant in Cape Town and later moved to Jo’burg and attended Greenside Primary School.
AKA joined St.John’s college for his secondary education.
He later joined SAE Institute to study Music Production and Sound Engineering.
AKA Girlfriends.
Being a succesful rapper and entrepreneur, AKA had been giving ladies sleepless nights.
Even his girlfriends had hard time trying to keep him by themselves.
AKA has dated some of the most beautiful women in South Africa including his baby mama DJ Zinhle.
AKA also dated the media diva Bonang Matheba but broke up in 2019.
The late Nelli Tembe was also his fiance before she met her death in 2021.
Before his death on February 2023, AKA was dating Nadia Nakai who is also a rapper and entertainer.
AKA and Nadia Nakai.
Who is AKA’s wife?
Nadia Nakai and AKA have been a couple for over two years, after the traguc death of Nelli Tembe who was his fiance.
While the start of their relationship was met with some drama, the two proved that love wins over everything as the past few months they gave couple goals.
Therefore, when it was confirmed that AKA is no more, the public worried about Nadia Nakai and her safety.
According to her Instagram stories, Nadia was attending the birthday party of Y.FM DJ Ayanda MVP in Johannesburg.
However, as the news of AKA’s passing started to go viral on social media, it is alleged that Nadia had to be rushed out of the birthday celebrations.
As she was starting to mourn the passing of her boyfriend, her safety also had to be taken care of.
AKA Baby Mama.
AKA started dating a music producer called DJ Zinhle in 2014.
After bagging several South African hip hop awards, Zinhle confirmed their relationship by tweeting, ‘ Congratulations to my winner’.
The two have a daughter called Kairo Olwethu Forbes born in 2015.
AKA Children.
Together with his wife, DJ Zinhle, AKA had one child, a baby girl called Kairo Olwethu Forbes.
AKA and Nelli Tembe.
On april 2021, Anelle ‘Nelli’ Tembe fell from the 10nth floor of the PaperClub Hotel in Cape Town.
She was accompanying her boyfriend, AKA, to a gig in the city.
Nelli Tembe was AKA’s fiance and was allegedly pushed and fell off the balcony and later died.
AKA Music Career.
In 2002, AKA, together with his close friends Greyhound and Vice Varca formed a hip hop group called Entity.
The group managed to win a number of music awards back then thus sparking an undying interest fir music in AKA’s mind.
He decided to learn music production and was among the founders of production company ‘I.V League’, which has produced music for stars like Khuli Chana.
The I.V League signed up artists like ProKid, Khuli Chana, and JR.
In 2009, Kiernan released his three songs, In My Walk, I Do, and Mistakes, while still under the I.V label.
His first album, Altar Ego, came out in 2010. Two singles from the album, All I Know and Victory Lap, were straight hits that cemented his brand in the game.
While under the Vth Season label, Kiernan did performed over five shows weekly and charged kver R130,000 per show.
He left the label in 2017 and established his own, Beam Group label.
It was alleged that Vth Season mismanaged its artists’ money.
The rapper then signed a new deal with SONY Music Entertainment Africa and Vth Season in 2018.
AKA’S Albums and Singles.
Albums.
Since his debut, AKA has released at least ten albums, of which some have gone platinum over time; here are the albums by AKA.
Slave To The Sound (2004)
La maladie de la haine (2010)
And so It Begins (2011)
Altar Ego (2011)
Levels (2014) – (Certified Gold and Platinum)
Down To Earth (2017)
Taking Chancez (2017)
Be Careful What You Wish For (2017)
Attention Deficit (2018)
Sex Hot (2018)
Touch My Blood (2018) – (Certified Platinum)
AKA, since his debut has released more than 45 singles and atleast least ten studio albums.
Singles.
Here are his best songs, that will definitely bless your playlist.
AKA- Jika
AKA- Fela in Versace
AKA- Make Me Sing
AKA- All Eyes On Me
AKA- Main Ou’s
AKA- Don’t Forget to Pray
AKA- The World Is Yours
AKA- 10 Fingers
AKA- Composure
AKA- Congratulate
You can stream his music Here.
AKA Awards and Nominations.
AKA has gotten himself various awards and recognition both locally and Internationally. Among these are;
Best Male artists at the 18th South African Music award 2012 (Won)
Best Male South African and Best collaboration at the African Music Magazine awards 2013 (won)
2014.
Best Hip-Hop artist at the MTV Africa music awards 2014 (nominated)
Most Gifted Hip-Hop award at Channel O Africa Music awards 2014 (Nominated)
African Muzik Magazine Awards for Best Male Southern Africa and Best Collaboration
MTV Africa Music Awards for Best Collaboration
21st South African Music Awards for Best Male Artist
2015
4th South African Hip Hop Awards for Best Collaboration, Most Valuable Artist, Most Digital Sales, Song of the Year, and Video of the year.
2016
15th Metro FM Music Awards for Best Collaboration and Best Hit Single.
2019
2019 Kids’ Choice Awards for Favourite South African Star.
Namibia Annual Music Awards 2019 for Pan African Artist of the Year
2020
26th South African Music Awards for Music Video of the Year.
AKA Net Worth.
AKA is definitely among the top African artists to have ever made a fortune in the music industry.
As of 2023, he has three studio albums, over 42 singles and 23 music videos.
He waa the best selling hip hop artist in South Africa with mkst of his songs hitting platinum status.
His main source of income is live performances, Album sales, streams, brand influencer deals and several business ventures under his name.
AKA Source of Wealth and Business Investments.
In 2017 he started a media and entertainment company called Beam Group which dealt with Music production, Media coverage and brand Promotions.
The company closed its operations in 2018.
AKA also owned a night club called Cuba Lounge BLK and a Clothing company called Bhovamania which was named after his 2021 EP Bhovamania.
Being the most influential rapper in South Africa, he wass awarded the most lucrative brand deals from international companies including Vodka Cruz and foot wear company Reebok.
AKA has a net worth of $15 Million as of 2023.
AKA Luxury Cars.
His car collection include:
BMW 760i which costs $15,000.
BMW i8 which costs $140,000.
BMW X6M which costs $106,000.
VW Scirocco which costs $48,000.
AKA was definitely riding in style with his fleet of luxury cars.
AKA Birthday Shooting and Cause of death.
On friday, february 10, 2023 AKA was shot and killed outside of a restaurant in Durban, South Africa.
His parents confirmed his passing by an emotional statement on AKA’s twitter account.
“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,” Tony and Lynn Forbes.
“To us, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, most importantly father to his beloved daughter Kairo,” his parents added. “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 gave love in return.”
The police say that, AKA was scheduled to perform in a nightclub of the popular night area of the coast of Durban.
Shortly after 10 p.m when he was going to his car, two armed individuals fired several gunshots in a close range before fleeing.
A second man, who is believed to be AKA’s friend Tabello ‘Tibz’ Matsoane who was a chef and an entrepreneur, died at the scene too.
AKA Burial and Funneral.
A few hours before his death, AKA shared a post on his instagram promoting his upcoming album ‘Mass Country’ which was scheduled to be released on late february 2023.
He was one of South Africa’s leading hip-hop artists to have ever grabbed a mic and produce some of the most popular beats.
AKA had worked as a producer for a number of artists before releasing his 2010 debut album, Altar Ego, which featured the popular track “Victory Lap.” He later become known for songs like “All Eyes on Me,” “Fela in Versace” and “Lemons (Lemonade).”
AKA will be burried at his hometown in Cape Town South Africa.
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