RIP AKA: Rapper shot and killed on Florida Road in Durban

Updated Feb. 11, 2023, 1:18 a.m. | By Darren, Keri and Sky / Preneil Pillay

It is believed that AKA was standing outside the a popular restaurant when he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting.

AKA SOUTH AFRICA KIERNAN FORBES — AKA's last image on his Instagram feed/Image credit: AKA/Instagram

Updated on Saturday the 11th of February 2023 at 10:35

South African hip-hop artist Kiernan Forbes, known as AKA, has been shot dead on Florida Road, KwaZulu-Natal.

The rumours began surfacing on social media, with Durban locals sharing images at the scene of the crime, trying to make sense of it all.

Several South African artists and celebrities have posted "broken heart" emojis, which suggested that news had filtered within inner circles.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AKA (@akaworldwide)

Friday the 10th of February

Here's what we know so far about the incident and reactions from social media users:

Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for ALS Paramedics told @TheCitizen_News Florida Road has been closed off after the shooting incident where a “famous rapper” and another person ave been confirmed deceased #AKA pic.twitter.com/Q4564aZFsX
— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 (@FaizelPatel143) February 10, 2023

RIP: Kiernan Jarryd Forbes

South African superstar Aka has passed away.

He was 35 years old. #RIPAAKA pic.twitter.com/zp7KXz9G62
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) February 10, 2023

Guys AKA just got shot and killed in Florida Rd Durban pic.twitter.com/xU2csds8ln
— Luthuli (@LuSomethings) February 10, 2023

Durban’s Florida road has been closed off following a drive by shooting a short while ago

Two people have been confirmed dead by emergency services, one of which is famous rapper Kiernan Forbes, affectionately known by his stage name AKA

Reason for the incident still unclear pic.twitter.com/MnkJYIYeXQ
— Jarryd Subroyen (@JJSubroyen) February 10, 2023

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
— Tbo Touch (@iamtbotouch) February 10, 2023

Not Aka Kiernan 🕊🕊💔💔💔 his manager confirmed pic.twitter.com/g7HLAS6Nu5
— Keitumetse (@Keitu_Metse1) February 10, 2023

💔
— Nandi Madida (@Nandi_Madida) February 10, 2023

Police in Durban have confirmed that rapper @akaworldwide has been shot in Florida Rd this evening @IOL pic.twitter.com/96FYL5j6rk
— Se-Anne Rall (@seannerall) February 10, 2023

Aka Kiernan Manager is this confirmation 🕊🕊 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/IjPwyZc2IS
— Keitumetse (@Keitu_Metse1) February 10, 2023

https://twitter.com/LuSomethings/status/1624147910244896793?s=20&t=5zgF4dgrjWau3NcxZAcjQQ

Whatsapp status from AKA Kiernan manager guys this cnt be true 😭 pic.twitter.com/r5quPByxBF
— Keitumetse (@Keitu_Metse1) February 10, 2023

No ways 😳🥺
— Da L.E.S (@2freshLES) February 10, 2023

AKA was due to perform at Yugo in Durban, but a post on Instagram stated that the event had been cancelled:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by YūGō (@yugo_durban)

Watch more: East Coast Radio's live billboard performance with AKA

On the 4th of March 2019, AKA and East Coast Radio brought Umlazi to a standstill, performing live on a stage that was elevated on a billboard:

Listen to AKA's interview with Danny Guselli in December 2022, as the two chatted about the following:

Football (Ronaldo interview) and (World cup predictions).
His new song Paradise and his video.
The thing he misses the most about being a youngster.
Dial-up internet and how things are so instant these days.
What has TikTok done for his career?
The future: His new album and World tour next year.
5 questions in 30 seconds.

Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, known professionally as AKA, was a South African rapper. He was born on the 28th of January 1988 and was 35-years-old.

Born and raised in Cape Town, Forbes gained significance after releasing his single "Victory Lap" which was released from his debut studio album, Altar Ego.

Rest in power, SUPA MEGA.

We send our love to his family, friends, and fans.

Thank you for your unmatchable contribution to the South African music industry, Kiernan.