In a sad development, the illustrious and popular South African rapper AKA, real name Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, was shot dead in an apparent drive-by shooting in Durban on Friday night.
The rapper was aged 35.
Police sources confirmed the tragic news of the rapper's death, saying that he was shot dead in a drive-by shooting on Florida Road in Morningside, Durban.
His friend (still unidentified but believed to be very close to AKA) also died from the shooting, while his bodyguard was injured.
As per an IOL report, "It is understood that AKA was standing outside the Wish Restaurant when he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting.
Two unknown cars are believed to have opened fire just before 10pm."
ALS paramedic Garrith Jamieson spoke to TimesLIVE, "On arrival, paramedics met total chaos and a scene where two men, believed to be in their late 30s, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics assisted the men and unfortunately the first male had sustained multiple gun shot wounds and showed no signs of life and was declared deceased at the scene."
AKA was scheduled to perform at a Durban club, YUGO, a performance that was also intended as part of his birthday celebrations. It was immediately cancelled after the confirmation of AKA's death.
His last tweet—at 9.26pm on Friday 10 February 2023—read, “I think when Mass Country goes platinum. Deal?”
Fellow rapper and close friend Da L.E.S expressed his shock in a tweet, "Unbelievable 💔".
As it stands, and since this is a developing story, the motive of the gruesome killing is unknown as the police are still carrying out investigations.