South African rap star AKA shot dead in drive-by shooting

Popular South African rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes has been shot dead in a drive-by shooting on Florida Road, Durban, South Africa, on Friday night, IOL News reports.

South African news also said another person, believed to be AKA’s bodyguard, was also injured. Another unidentified man, known to be a close friend of AKA was also shot dead.

AKA’s family also confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday morning.

It is understood that AKA was standing outside the Wish Restaurant when he was shot dead in a drive-by shooting.

Two unidentified cars are believed to have caught fire just before 10pm

According to a social media post, AKA is scheduled to perform at Durban nightclub, YUGO, where he will be performing as part of his birthday celebrations.

Friends and close friends took to social media to express their shock.

Police had cordoned off the area when the IOL team arrived on Friday night.

Speaking to IOL, shocked diners at a nearby restaurant said AKA had been standing outside Wish when he was shot dead.

Garrith Jamieson, a spokesman for ALS Paramedics, said Florida Road has been closed following a shooting incident on Florida Road where two people have been confirmed dead.

Jamieson said one of the dead was a “famous rapper”.

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AKA gained recognition after releasing the single “Victory Lap” from his debut studio album, Altar Ego, in 2010.

In April 2021, his fiancée, Anele Tembe, fell to her death from the 10th floor of the five-star Pepperclub Hotel in central Cape Town, South Africa.

AKA’s last social media post, hours before his death, confirmed the release date of his long-awaited “Mass Nation” album, billed as February 24, 2023.