AKA Kiernan Forbes has been shot to death Friday in Durban, South Africa, according to the Times (South Africa). He was only 35.
Tony and Lynn Forbes, AKA's mom and dad, announced his passing in a post to Rolling Stone.
“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,” the statement said.
“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.”
According to police officials in Durban, AKA was killed in a drive-by shooting, as reported by Times. According to IOL, an individual claimed to be AKA's bodyguard was also injured.
Another unnamed person, presumed to be AKA's close mate, was also gunned down. According to the Times, AKA was reportedly standing outside a famous restaurant when he was gunned down in the incident.
ALS paramedic Garrith Jamieson told TimesLIVE that they went to a gunshot incident at about 10:15 p.m. on Friday.
“On arrival, paramedics met total chaos and a scene where two men, believed to be in their late 30s, sustained multiple gunshot wounds,” said Jamieson. “Paramedics assisted the men and unfortunately the first male had sustained multiple gun shot wounds and showed no signs of life and was declared deceased at the scene.” The shooting's reason is unknown.
The rapper announced on Instagram previously this week that his upcoming album, Mass Country, will be released later this month. Fans flooded his comments section after learning of his death. Earlier that day, he tweeted about his new record.