Who is AKA, South African Rapper And Singer?
AKA, whose real name is Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, is a South African rapper, songwriter and record producer. He was born on January 28, 1988, in Cape Town, South Africa. He is considered one of the leading hip-hop artists in South Africa and has been active in the music industry since 2006.
The early life of AKA
AKA was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. He grew up in the suburbs of the city and was exposed to a variety of music styles from an early age, including hip-hop, R&B, and gospel.
Growing up, AKA was a talented athlete and was involved in several sports, including soccer and rugby. However, he soon discovered his love for music and began to focus on his musical pursuits. He started writing and recording his own music at the age of 16 and quickly gained a reputation as a talented rapper and lyricist.
Despite his early success, AKA faced several challenges in his early life, including poverty and gang violence in his community. These experiences would later inform much of his music and his lyrics often address themes of inequality, poverty, and social justice.
Despite these challenges, AKA was determined to pursue his dreams and continued to work hard to build a successful music career. He honed his skills as a rapper and performer and eventually signed a record deal in 2006, launching his professional music career.
Over the years, he has become one of the most recognizable and respected hip-hop artists in South Africa and has continued to release critically acclaimed albums and tours throughout the country and internationally.
Girlfriend of AKA
AKA has been in several high-profile relationships throughout his career. In 2015, he was in a relationship with South African DJ, Bonang Matheba, which received significant media attention. However, the couple eventually broke up in 2017.
In 2019, AKA began dating Nelli Tembe, a South African businesswoman and socialite. The couple became engaged in 2020, but their relationship was marked by controversy and the couple faced several public disagreements. Sadly, Nelli Tembe died in April 2021 in an incident that was widely reported in the media.
AKA before his death was reported to be in a relationship with fellow rapper Nadia Nakia. He made this revelation in an interview, saying he couldn’t be happier.
Speaking to Drum Magazine, AKA is over the moon and couldn’t be happier with his relationship with Nadia, citing they are in a good place.
Children of AKA
AKA has a daughter named Kairo Owethu Forbes, who was born in 2015. He has been open about his role as a father and has often spoken about the importance of fatherhood and the impact it has had on his life. Despite his busy schedule, AKA makes an effort to spend time with his daughter and has stated that she is a big part of his life.
Parents of AKA
The parents of AKA are not widely known or disclosed publicly. He has been relatively private about his family life and has not shared much information about his parents or his upbringing.
It is not uncommon for celebrities to keep their personal lives and family details private, and AKA has maintained a similar level of privacy in this regard.
Net Worth of AKA
The estimated net worth of AKA is around $12 million USD. He has built his fortune through his successful music career, which has included several hit albums and numerous awards and accolades. He has also been involved in several business ventures and has worked with a number of high-profile brands and companies, which have contributed to his wealth.
In addition to his music and business ventures, AKA is also known for his entrepreneurial spirit and has been involved in several ventures outside of the music industry. He has also been a vocal advocate for financial literacy and has encouraged others to take control of their finances and to invest in their futures.
Despite his success and wealth, AKA remains committed to his craft and continues to be one of the leading voices in South African hip-hop. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative hip-hop artists of his generation and continues to be a source of inspiration to many in South Africa and around the world.
Businesses Owned By AKA
AKA is not only known for his successful music career but also for his business ventures. He has been involved in several ventures outside of the music industry, including:
1. Beam Group: AKA is the founder of Beam Group, a South African investment company that invests in real estate, technology, and other ventures.
2. Beam Fashion: AKA has also launched a clothing line called Beam Fashion, which offers a range of fashionable and high-quality clothing for men and women.
3. Cruz Vodka: AKA is also the co-owner of Cruz Vodka, a premium vodka brand that is popular in South Africa.
4. Beam Eats: In 2020, AKA launched a food delivery service called Beam Eats, which provides a platform for South African restaurants to offer their food to customers across the country.
These ventures are a testament to AKA's entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to making a positive impact in South Africa's business community. He has proven to be a successful businessperson and continues to explore new opportunities to grow his business portfolio.
How Did AKA Die?
Rapper AKA was killed in a drive-by shooting on Friday night, 10th November 2023, in Durban on Florida Road, according to police sources.
AKA was standing outside the Wish Restaurant on Florida Road in Durban when he was gunned down. Two unknown cars are believed to have opened fire just before 10 pm.
AKA’s close buddy, who was also supposed to be his security, was killed along with a second individual who was reportedly the artist’s bodyguard.
AKA's Career
AKA released his debut album, "Alteretido," in 2011 and since then has gone on to release several other critically acclaimed albums, including "Levels" (2014), "Touch My Blood" (2018) and "Bhovamania" (2020).
He has won several awards for his music, including multiple South African Hip Hop Awards, and has collaborated with several other African artists, including Da L.E.S, Anatii, and Burna Boy.
AKA is known for his socially conscious lyrics, which often address issues such as poverty, corruption, and inequality in South Africa. He is also known for his distinctive flow and unique style, which has helped to establish him as one of the most recognizable and respected hip-hop artists in South Africa.
Aside from his music career, AKA is also an entrepreneur and has been involved in several business ventures, including the launch of his own record label, Beam Group. He is also known for his charitable work, including his involvement in organizations that support education and health initiatives in South Africa.
In addition to his music and business ventures, AKA has also made headlines for his personal life, including his relationships and his outspoken opinions on various social and political issues.
He has been involved in several high-profile controversies, including a highly publicized feud with fellow South African rapper Cassper Nyovest. Despite this, AKA has maintained a large and dedicated following, and his music continues to be popular both in South Africa and internationally.
AKA has also been involved in several philanthropic initiatives, including his support for various organizations that work to improve education and healthcare in South Africa. He has also been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has encouraged others to speak out about their own experiences with mental health challenges.
Throughout his career, AKA has remained committed to his craft and has continued to evolve as an artist. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative hip-hop artists of his generation and is respected both for his musical abilities and his commitment to social and political issues.
With several successful albums and numerous awards and accolades to his name, AKA has established himself as one of South Africa's most successful and enduring hip-hop artists.