Biography
Kiernan Jarryd Forbes (born January 28, 1988) is known professionally as AKA, born and brought up in Cape Town, South Africa.
AKA is a South African rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer. He rose to stardom after Releasing his single song titled ‘Victory Lap,‘ a song from his debut studio album ‘Alter Ego’ released in 2011.
Early Life
AKA was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, to the family of Mr. Tony Forbes and his mum Mrs. Lynn Forbes. He grew up in the care of his grandmother, where he spent his formative years at Mitchell’s Plain with his grandmother after his parent split.
In 1995, while He was just six, He decided to move in with his mother, who was residing in Johannesburg.
There, He started practicing rap after He had been inspired by various top rappers. He began messing up his notebooks with rap lyrics all over.
He officially started in 2002 after creating a group with his friends of like-minds and called it ‘Entity.’ He started the group with a few of his like-minded friends. They worked together, helping themselves grow and be better, until they had to go on separately in 2006.
Education
AKA attended ‘Holy Cross Covenant’ while He was with his grandma in Mitchell Plein. He never got to complete his education there before he was moved to Greenside Primary school in Johannesburg.
He studied at St. John College for his high school education but failed to proceed to University after his secondary school completion.
Career
AKA began music officially in 2002, creating a Hip-Hop music group with his friends from high school, Vice Versa and Greyhound.
They started performing together and earning recognition locally. The group was also nominated for Kora Awards for Best Hip Hop category in 2005.
The dissipating of the group in 2006 allowed AKA to study sound engineering. He re-founded another group with the Moniker, ‘The IV League,’ in 2007 while at the University. The group became more focused on Production.
AKA went to study Sound Engineering, which led to the group splitting in 2006. He co-founded with two people in 2007, which became his second group creation. The IV League was created while he was still in University.
AKA signed up some new and upcoming artists like ProKid, Khuli Chana, and JR. He started gaining prominence locally in South Africa after He dropped some of his songs like ‘Mistakes, In My Walk, and I Do.’
He finally got wide and massive recognition after he released his debut album, Alter Ego, in 2011. He rose to superstardom with the album with songs like Mistakes, In My Walk, and I Do. The songs ranked on the music chart, ranking at the top in South Africa and other countries.
The album became a breakthrough as it came with various deals and collaborations. He began getting featured by other prominent African artists, collaborating and performing at some influential shows across Africa. He received nominations for his top-leading album.
He was Certified Gold by RISA on his album ‘Alter Ego.’
He further released a sophomore album. The 11-track album was released and made public on June 2014.
In 2018, His third album, Touch My Blood’ was certified platinum by RISA before it earned the double-platinum tag. The album was also a success in the industry.
On November 6, 2021, He dropped a 4-track EP, ‘Bhovanmania, ‘ including songs like Monuments, Energy, Python, and Cross My Heart.
He was nominated for Artist of Decades in the 10th South Africa Hip-Hop Awards ceremony.
Discography
- Album
Bhovamania
Touch My Blood
Be Careful What You Wish For
Levels
Alter Ego
Victory Lap
I Want It All
Personal Life
AKA was in a relationship with Nadia Nakai, a rapper signed into Cassper Nyovest‘s record label, Family Tree Records.
Although, AKA and Cassper Nyovest have had their dispute which has lasted for some time now.
AKA has previously been in an on-and-off relationship with DJ Zinhle, whom He’s been dating since 2014.
They have a daughter called ‘Kairo Olwethu Forbes,’ born on July 8, 2015.
AKA and Zinhle broke up in August 2015, accusing AKA of having an affair with Bonang Matheba.
However, they got back together in 2018 and split again in 2019.
He was reportedly shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Durban ‘s Florida road on 10th of February, 2023.
It is understood that AKA was standing outside the Wish Restaurant » when he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting.
Two unknown cars are believed to have opened fire just before 10pm. He was aged 35 years old.
Social Media
- Instagram handle – @akaworldwide
- Twitter handle – @akaworldwide
Net Worth
Over the years, AKA‘s net worth is estimated to be US$20 million – US$30 million.
His wealth is accumulated from selling his songs, shows, and song production. He is considered one of the wealthiest artists in the world.