One of South Africa’s leading rap artists, popularly known as AKA, has been shot dead in the coastal city of Durban, along with a friend, his family said on Saturday.
Kiernan Forbes was killed with his close friend, chef and entrepreneur Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane as they were walking towards their car from a restaurant.
The motive of the killing is under investigation.
“It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved son,” his parents Tony and Lynn Forbes said in a statement posted on AKA’s Twitter account. “Our son was loved, and he gave love in return.”
The 35-year-old began his musical career as part of the rap group Entity before launching his solo career.
Forbes won multiple South African awards, was nominated several times for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award in the United States, and was once nominated for an MTV Europe Music Award.
He was booked to perform at a club on Friday night, according to Durban city mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda.
