SA Rapper AKA shot dead in drive by shooting

Piece by: Maureen Waruinge

11 February 2023

• He was aged 35.

Rapper AKA, who was born Kiernan Forbes, was reportedly shot and killed Friday in South Africa.

The musician was shot dead in a drive-by shooting on Florida Road on Friday night. Also shot was his former manager Tebello Mostoane outside a club on Florida road in Durban.

Another person believed to be AKA’s bodyguard was also wounded.

Kwa Zulu Natal police have confirmed the reports after numerous rumors emerged online of the rapper's demise.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed police were investigating two murder cases and they were yet to establish the motives for the murders.

According to reports from local media, police confirmed one of the deceased was a popular musician.

The singer was reportedly standing outside a restaurant where he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting.

Two unknown cars are believed to have opened fire just before 10 pm. Police had cordoned off the area from curious citizens swarming the scene.

According to social media posts, AKA was due to perform at a Durban nightclub called YUGO, and also celebrate his birthday.

In videos shared by the late rapper, fans see his last moments in a barber shop getting prepped for the day.

Later he shared a meal and drinks with friends and he was seen happily cheering as they toasted drinks.

His close friend Da Les, took to social media to express shock.

His last messages on his Twitter account tell us he was looking forward to interacting with his legion of fans in his digital album rollout.

Taking to Twitter, The Congratulate hitmaker announced that he had set up a WhatsApp hotline number. The rapper said it was for his fans to stay on course with what is taking place behind the scenes ahead of the anticipated project.

In the tweet, the rapper shared the number urging fans to hit him up and get all the Mass Country album exclusives.

He wrote;

"Looking forward to interacting with you on the Ⓜ️EGACY ☎️ HOTLINE as we roll out MASS COUNTRY … I’ll be doing video calls, chats, exclusive snippets and all things great as we move towards the 24th of Feb. Chat soon!!!"

Recently, he dropped a third single from the project Prada featuring his longtime SA hip hop colleague and OG Khuli Chana.

The track has given yet another clue about what Mass Country album is going to sound like following the release of Lemons Lemonade and Paradise.

AKA was supposed to drop the project on the 27th of January on his birthday, but the rapper changed the date to the 24th of February 2023. “Yeah apologies for the delay … gonna make it count. You only get one shot to roll out and drop … so it is what it is. Feb is not so far tho,” he tweeted.