Biography

Kiernan Jarryd Forbes (born January 28, 1988) was one of the biggest names in the African music industry.

Known professionally as AKA, he was a 35 years old rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer from South Africa.

He achieved fame after releasing his acclaimed single, Victory Lap. The song, one of the tracks of his debut album, Altar Ego, catapulted AKA into the national limelight and gave him international recognition.

Over the reign, he was released top-charting albums like Levels, Touch My Blood and Be Careful What You Wish For.

AKA was shot dead in Florida Durban, South Africa on the 10th of February 2023. He died as result of gunshot shortly after sharing his location on his Instagram page.

AKA
AKA: History, Bio, Photo
Wiki Facts & About Data
Full Name:	Kiernan Jarryd Forbes
Stage Name:	AKA
Born:	28 January 1988 (age 35 years old)
Place of Birth:	Cape Town, South Africa
Nationality:	South African
Parents:	Lynn Forbes, Tony Forbes
Children:	Kairo Owethu Forbes
Height:	1.73 m
Siblings:	N/A
Girlfriend • Wife • Spouse:	DJ Zinhle (ex.), Nelli Tembe (decease)
Occupation:	Rapper • Songwriter
Net Worth:	$20 million – $30 million

Early Life

AKA was born to the family of Mr. Tony Forbes and Mrs. Lynn Forbes on the 28th Of January 1988. A millennial, Kiernan was born in the city of Cape Town, South Africa.

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He spent the formative years of his life in his parents’ house before moving with his grandmother when his parents separated. His grandmother resided in a bungalow in Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town. When he grew older, he moved out of his grandmother’s place and moved in with his mother, who lived in Johannesburg.

AKA discovered his love for music as a teenager while listening to rap songs from American artists. This prompted him to start writing down rap songs whenever he returned back home from school.

During this period, he created the hip-hop group, Entity with his close friends, Vice Versa and Greyhound. The group was together for a couple of years before splitting in 2006.

Education

While he was at his grandmother’s, AKA attended Holy Cross Convent, Cape Town, for his elementary education. However, he didn’t complete his education there before proceeding to Greenside Primary School.

He studied at St. John College for his high school education, where he graduated with flying colors. However, he didn’t pursue a university education right after leaving high school.

He focused on music for a while before studying Sound Engineering at the university.

Career

While at the university, AKA co-founded a second music group, The IV Collective, alongside two other members. The group focused on producing songs for other artists. Notable names they worked with before disbanding are Khuli Chana, ProKid, and JR.

AKA began ascending the South African music industry ladder after dropping singles such as Mistakes, In My Walk, and I Do. However, he finally struck gold after recording and releasing his debut album, Alter Ego, in 2011. The tracks, I Want It All, All I Know, and Victory Lap, were the top songs of the album and topped music charts in the country.

Now a big star in the eyes of music fans, he began receiving invitations to collaborate with other artists and perform at top shows across the country. The debut album paved the way for a winning streak for AKA as he was nominated for several music awards and winning some of them. In addition, due to the thousands of units sold across the country, Alter Ego was certified gold by RISA.

The following two years saw AKA drop more singles as he worked on his sophomore album. The project titled Levels was released on the 30th Of June 2014. Notable singles from the album are Kontrol, Jealousy, Congratulate and Run Jozi. His third album, Touch My Blood, was made available to the public in June 2018. The album was a commercial success as it was certified Platinum by RISA before earning the Double Platinum tag.

AKA dropped a four-track EP, Bhovamania, on the 6th Of November 2020. The project was composed of singles: Cross My Heart, Python, Monuments, and Energy.

Discography

• Bhovamania
• Touch My Blood
• Be Careful What You Wish For
• Levels
• Alter Ego
• Victory Lap
• I Want It All

Social Media

As one of the biggest South African celebrities, AKA has a large followership on social media. He currently has over 3 million followers on Instagram and over 5 million followers on Twitter.

• Instagram handle – @akaworldwide
• Twitter handle – @akaworldwide

Personal Life

Due to his handsome facial features and muscular body, he was a favorite of female music fans in the country. The 35-year-old AKA was a single father who resides in Johannesburg.

He was formerly in a long-term relationship with DJ Zinhle, who is the mother of his daughter, Kairo Owethu Forbes. The couple broke up after irreconcilable differences. However, they remain friends and work together to be good parents to their daughters.

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In the first quarter of 2021, AKA proposed to his girlfriend, Nelli Tembe, who agreed to engage him. The duo was engaged for four months before Nelli Tembe lost her life after falling from a hotel in Cape Town.

AKA was single, with the pain of the demise of his beloved fiancée still in his heart before his untimely demise..

Net Worth

AKA was one of the wealthiest artists on the continent and his net worth was currently estimated to be valued $20 million – $30 million.