Acclaimed South African rapper AKA shot and killed in drive-by shooting

According to News24, a reputable South African news outlet, local police confirmed that a “well-known rapper,” believed to be Forbes, was fatally shot outside a popular nightspot on Durban’s Florida Road.

“I can confirm that two men were killed and one of them is a well-known rapper. Police will not be releasing any names of the victims yet until a full investigation is completed,” law enforcement spokesperson Robert Netshiunda told the outlet.

According to reports, the South African rapper was slated to perform in Durban on Friday. He was due to release a new album, “Mass Country,” on Feb. 27.

Paramedic Garrith Jamieson told TimesLIVE that the shooting occurred just after 10:15 p.m. local time and that, upon arriving, “paramedics met total chaos and a scene where two men, believed to be in their late 30s, sustained multiple gunshot wounds.”

The Times also reported that AKA was standing outside a popular restaurant when he was gunned down in the shooting.

The parents of AKA, Tony and Lynn Forbes, confirmed his death in a statement issued Saturday morning. 

“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,” read the statement.

“To us, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, most importantly father to his beloved daughter Kairo,” his parents wrote. “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.”

On Instagram, the acclaimed rapper had posted earlier Friday about his upcoming album, Mass Country, set for release on the 27th of this month. 

Shocked fans flooded his comment section upon hearing the news of his death. 

AKA is one of the most acclaimed artists in South Africa’s thriving hip-hop scene. He is well known for hit singles “Fela in Versace” and “All Eyes on Me.”