South African rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes (35) murdered in Durban drive-by double killing; 'we're awaiting further details from police,' parents say.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African rapper and songwriter Kiernan "AKA" Forbes was murdered in a Friday night Durban drive-by double killing along with friend Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane (34), while a bodyguard was wounded. 

Kiernan Forbes was 35. 

Kiernan Forbes leaves behind an 8-year-old daughter Kairo Owethu Forbes he had with musician DJ Zinhle in 2015 and was in a romantic relationship with rapper Nadia Nakai at the time of his murder. His former fiance Anele Tembe fell to her death from a hotel room in April 2021 in Cape Town and he dated Bonang Matheba Matheba between 2015 and 2017.

Colonel Robert Netshiunda, KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, says Kiernan "AKA" Forbes was shot and murdered along with another man in a drive-by shooting in Morningside along the coastal city's Florida Road on Friday night.

Robert "AKA" Forbes was killed while he was shot at by two drive-by vehicles at 22:00 sitting at a table at the Wish restaurant with friends who were all drinking before he was set to perform later that night at the YūGō nightclub. Their bodies were covered by table umbrellas and were removed at 02:00 on Saturday morning.

In a statement, his Kiernan Forbes' parents, Tony and Lynn Forbes, say "It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved son on the evening of 10 February 2023. We are awaiting further details from the Durban police". 

"To us, Kiernan Forbes was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, most importantly father to his beloved daughter Kairo."

"To many he was AKA, Supamega, Bhova and the many other names of affection his legion of fans called him by. Our son was loved and he gave love in return. In time of grief we appeal for your compassion, space and time to congregate as a family to decide on the upcoming days."

"We thank you for the love and support we have received thus far, and ask you continue to keep us in your prayers and uplifting in the Lord."

Amanda Bani-Mapena, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for arts and culture, in a statement says the province has "learnt with shock and sadness of the fatal shooting of rapper Kiernan Forbes known as AKA late on Friday evening in Durban's bustling Florida Road precinct".

"We hope the law enforcement agencies will do their work in bringing the perpetrators to justice."

Sony Music in a statement, says "It is with profound sadness that Sony Music Entertainment Africa acknowledges the news of the untimely passing of the South African music icon and culture figure Kiernan "AKA" Forbes".

Sean Watson, Sony Music Entertainment Africa managing director, says "Our hearts are broken. We've lost not only an icon but someone who was dear to us as a member of the Sony family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones today."

"All of us at Sony Music convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family, friends, the Megacy and South Africa."

SABC1 in a statement says the TV channel and South African public broadcaster "is saddened by the untimely passing of award-winning musician Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, known professionally as AKA, who passed away on Friday".

M-Net said on Saturday that its Channel O (DStv 320) music channel on MultiChoice's DStv service would be playing musical song tributes of Kiernan Forbes' music throughout the day. 

Kiernan Forbes was the first season host of The Braai Show on SABC1. "SABC1 sends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues". 

Kiernan Jarryd Forbes was born and grew up in Cape Town. With two of his friends they formed a hip hop group Entity in 2002. 

He rose to fame in 2010 after his single "Victory Lap" from his debut album Altar Ego. He went on to release albums like Levels in 2014, Touch My Blood (2018), Be Careful What You Wish For in 2017 with Anatii, and Bhovamania (2020). His upcoming album, Mass Country, is set to be released later in February 2023.

In 2019 AKA was the roastee for Paramount's Comedy Central Roast TV special on Comedy Central (DStv 122) and he was nominated for Best International Act twice at the BET Awards.

Pilot episode, 2 Weddings & a Superstar, from Okuhle Media for A+E Networks in which hip hop star AKA sings for wedding couples to serve as a broadcast tester and opener for Lifetime's Wedding Week from 9 September.

A new hourlong local South African TV special, 2 Weddings & a Superstar, will be broadcast on Monday 9 September on Lifetime (DStv 131) with the pilot episode in which the South African hip hop artist AKA surprises two couples getting married, that will serve as a broadcast tester for possible pick-up as a TV series.

With South African television experiencing Peak Wedding TV with localised wedding shows on channels ranging from Viacom Africa's BET, to M-Net, Mzansi Magic, Moja Love, VIA, 1Magic and others, Kiernan Forbes will infuse two local weddings with celebrity power similar to shows like Wedding Bashers, Our Perfect Wedding and Marry Me Now SA.

In the 45-minute 2 Weddings & a Superstar, produced by Okuhle Media for A+E Networks Africa, viewers will be shown how AKA shows up at two different weddings - both taking place in Cape Town - to sing for them.

Each couple getting married are unaware that AKA will show up but have been pre-selected because they are fans of his music.

A+Networks Africa confirmed to TVwithThinus in response to a media enquiry that the TV special is a pilot episode for a possible series in which different local artists could surprise different wedding couples on their big day.

In a statement, AKA says "I have made some music and drawn some inspiration in terms of the style in some of the songs that I’ve made, that are kind of tailor-made for weddings. So, it’s a cool experience for me to be able to enhance somebody’s big day in this way".

"Hopefully for our couples, their weddings are going to be something they will remember in a really positive light for the rest of their lives."

The 2 Weddings & a Superstar pilot special will serve as a localised programming introduction entry to Lifetime's first "Wedding Week" on the channel for South Africa and Africa with stacked wedding-themed programming.

"Wedding Week is a celebration of the romance, the excitement, and the drama that is synonymous with weddings and wedding planning," says Fatime Kaba, the recently appointed A+E Networks Africa's head of programming.

"From AKA crashing weddings to a long list of brand new and exclusive wedding-themed reality shows and movies, viewers will get to experience all the highs and lows associated with tying the knot, as only Lifetime can deliver."

Lifetime's Wedding Week programming will include new seasons of Four Weddings on 11 September at 20:05 and Bridezilla on 12 September at 20:05, and the premiere of Marrying Millions on 13 September at 21:00.

Lifetime will also broadcast new Lifetime Original wedding movies during Wedding Week on weekdays from 14:35 and weekends from 19:20. Lifetime's Wedding Week will also have "wall-to-wall wedding content" all day on the Saturday and Sunday.

IN IMAGES. 25 photos from behind-the-scenes of Comedy Central and Showmax's Comedy Central Roast of AKA.

Here are 25 behind-the-scenes photos of the Comedy Central Roast of AKA of Comedy Central and Showmax that was recorded on 21 February in The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg, roasting AKA whose real name is Kiernan Forbes.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA will be broadcast on Comedy Central (DStv 122) on Monday 11 March at 21:35, preceded by a half-hour Jason Goliath: Pre-Roast Special starting at 21:00 on the channel as a lead-in.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA has a broadcast duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes. An uncensored version of The Comedy Central Roast of AKA will become available on Showmax on Tuesday 12 March.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA will also be available on MultiChoice's DStv Now Catch Up service.

The roastmaster is Pearl Thusi with panellists including Nigeria's Davido, Moshe Ndiki as well as Papa Penny, Joey Rasdien, Moonchild Sanelly and also including Mark Fish, Nina Hastie and Francois van Coke, with Pierre van Pletzen who was announced but abruptly dropped out just before the recording without wanting to say why.

Pierre van Pletzen abruptly drops out of Comedy Central Africa and Showmax's Comedy Central Roast of AKA without any reason.

Pierre van Pletzen on Thursday abruptly dropped out of Comedy Central Africa (DStv 122) and Showmax's Comedy Central Roast of AKA as a panellist without a reason, hours before the show was recorded on Thursday night at the Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg.

No reason was given with Viacom Africa citing "unforeseen circumstances" that wasn't explained.

It left the Comedy Central Roast of AKA  (real name Kiernan Forbes) with one less panellist on stage at the sold-out show that will be broadcast on 11 March on Comedy Central, with an uncensored version that will become available on 12 March on MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax.

Pierre van Pletzen was originally announced to form part of the panellists including Nigeria's Davido, Moshe Ndiki as well as Papa Penny, Joey Rasdien, Moonchild Sanelly and also including Mark Fish, Nina Hastie and Francois van Coke, with Pearl Thusi as the roastmaster.

"However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Pierre van Pletzen is unable to participate in the panel of the Comedy Central Roast of AKA," Viacom Africa said in a statement received on Thursday night before the start of the recording of the show.

Viacom Africa's Comedy Central Roast of AKA adds Mark Fish, Nina Hastie and Francois van Coke as panellists.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA on Comedy Central (DStv 121) will have Mark Fish, Nina Hastie and Francois van Coke as some of the panellists.

Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) announced the first set of roasters who will be taking on the notorious rapper when the Comedy Central Roast of AKA is recorded on 21 February at The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg with Pearl Tusi as the roastmaster.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA (real name Kiernan Forbes) will be broadcast on Comedy Central, with the uncensored version going to MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service.

 The Comedy Central Roast of AKA will be broadcast on Comedy Central on 11 March 2019, with an extended and uncut version that will be released a day later on Showmax on 12 March.

"I'm excited to be on the panel of the Comedy Central Roast of AKA, this may be the only time I can roast him since he's the king of roasting people on Twitter," says Mark Fish. "I can't wait to meet all of the panellists and make people laugh out loud. I think I'm a funny guy but this shall be revealed on the day."

Nina Hastie says "I'd love to see his mom Lynne Forbes on the panel, I doubt there's anyone who knows him better. I would roast him on skipping leg day the most. His whole leg is ankle. Maybe that's why he got a shoe sponsorship - because having a whole leg as an ankle makes a shoe look very special."

Francois van Coke says "I'm super amped to be part of AKA's roast. I hope they fly me up to Jozi business class. I have only been on one business class flight in my life and it was because of AKA".

South African hip hop star, AKA, agrees to be the subject of Viacom Africa's next Comedy Central Roast.

The hip hop star AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, has agreed to be the subject of Comedy Central Africa's next Comedy Central Roast that will be recorded in February 2019 and broadcast on Comedy Central (DStv 122) with the uncensored version going to MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA will be taking place and be recorded at The Theatro at Montecasino on 21 February 2019 where the musician will be roasted by a panel of people that will be announced early in 2019.

For the first time the panel of the South African version of the show is likely to include panelists from outside of South Africa.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA follows after Viacom Africa revived the localised Roast version earlier this year with the Comedy Central Roast of Somizi.

"Every roast before this was practice. Take a seat, Bon Appetite," says AKA in a prepared statement released Thursday morning.

Dillon Khan, vice-president for Comedy Central and creative services at Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) says "The Comedy Central Roast is a super occasion that gives the audience a mega opportunity to see their favaourite celebrity being placed in a hot seat, confronted by some of South Africa's big names. So who better to roast than the one and only Supermega?"

Candice Fangueiro, Showmax head of content, says "The Comedy Central Roast of Somizi was one of the most popular shows on Showmax this year so we can't wait for AKA."

SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng shades local rapper AKA: 'Viewers know the singer because of the SABC. Without SABC there is no AK'.

The SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng says rapper AKA would be nothing without the SABC.

On Monday the public broadcaster's limelight-loving chief operating officer (COO) once again went on one of his own channels to talk about some of the SABC's grandiose new plans but when viewers indicated they're more interested in AKA's upcoming appearance, he threw serious shade at the local rapper.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng on Monday went on SABC2's Morning Live to talk about the SABC's new plans for new TV channels for an interview marred by sound problems that anchor Leanne Manas apologised for.

Leanne Manas told viewers they can ask Hlaudi Motsoeneng questions about the SABC's new TV channels plans, as well as for the SABC's chief financial officer (CFO) James Aguma who hardly got any talk time and had little specific to say during the segment.

"I quickly had a glimpse at Twitter to see if there are any questions you would like to ask the COO and CFO. Please do. This is your platform right now," said Leanne Manas.

"But it seems that people are too excited that AKA is coming to visit us so I don't know guys if you can compare to AKA at this point. So it looks like that's all they want to talk about."

The professional anchor then cleverly tried to open and give the SABC executives what is called an "easy in" by creating a link to a comfortable talking point by saying "that's local content. The power of local content."

Hlaudi Motsoeneng abruptly replied: "But they know the singer because of the SABC. Without SABC there is no AK," he said, leaving out the last letter of the stage name of the rapper whose real name is Kiernan Forbes.

Leanne Manas laughed awkwardly as Hlaudi Motsoeneng continued.

"And this is what we are say. We are calling  local content. So at the SABC we want to make sure that we cater more local content."

"Remember Leanne, we have put more than R600 million to cater for local content. People see many changes within the organisation especially because we have been concentrating using English. Now we are going to use other African languages which is good for the country."