DURBAN: South Africa’s hottest rapper Kiernan Forbes, known as AKA, is reported to have been shot dead outside a restaurant in the coastal city of Durban.
“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.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) February 11, 2023
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.
“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.
https://twitter.com/yazeiyd/status/1624665310534983681?s=20&t=rdtA4dq_UV6F5OzKzXyO7Q
He was booked to perform at a club Friday night, according to Durban city mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
The restaurant where SA rapper AKA was shot and killed in Durban release CCTV footage that shows how the tragic incident unfolded.
Restaurant where SA rapper AKA was shot and killed in Durban release CCTV footage that shows how the tragic incident unfolded. pic.twitter.com/XxSC9ffCHG
— DiDi (@kweku_derrick) February 12, 2023
Some six hours before his murder, AKA had tweeted about his upcoming album Mass Country which was due to be released later this month.
“I’ll be doing video calls, chats, exclusive snippets and all things great as we move towards the 24th of Feb. Chat soon!!!” he wrote on Twitter on Friday afternoon.
The motive of the shooting is unknown, and police are investigating.
