Kiernan Jarryd Forbes (born 28 January 1988), known professionally as AKA, is a South African rapper. Born and raised in

Cape Town Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...

, Forbes gained significance after releasing his single "Victory Lap" which was released from his debut studio album, ''

Altar Ego ''Altar Ego'' is the debut studio album by South African hip hop recording artist and record producer AKA. The album was released on August 23, 2011, through The Vth Season. Promotion AKA kicked off the album launch for ''Altar Ego'' at the Al ...

'' (2011). Forbes continued his success by releasing studio albums which include '' Levels'' (2014), ''

Touch My Blood ''Touch My Blood'' is the third album released by South African rapper AKA. released on 15 June 2018 through Beam Group in partnership with NYCE Entertainment. It is his first independent release and is the follow-up to his sophomore album, '' Le ...

'' (2018), Bhovamania (2020) and the collaborative album, '' Be Careful What You Wish For'' alongside

Anatii Anathi Bhongo Mnyango (born 8 January 1993), known professionally as Anatii, is a South African rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer & music video director. Career Anatii began his professional musical journey at the age of 14 when h ...

(2017). In April 2020 Forbes alongside vodka brand ''Cruz'' launched the watermelon-flavoured drink with his initial on the bottles. That same month, Forbes was featured as a special guest on

WWE World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vari ...

''Live'' events which were held in

Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu and xh, eGoli ), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. According to Dem ...

and Cape Town. As for 2019, he was the roastee for the

Comedy Central Roast ''Comedy Central Roast'' is a series of celebrity roast specials that air on the American television channel Comedy Central. The first official ''Comedy Central Roast'' premiered on August 10, 2003. On average one or two roasts air every year. T ...

special.

Life and career

1988–2013: Early life, beginnings and ''Alter Ego''

In 1988 Forbes was born. In 2002, Forbes alongside his two friends Vice Versa and Greyhound, formed a hip hop group called ''Entity''. The group received a nominee on the

KORA Awards The KORA All Africa Music Awards are music awards given annually for musical achievement in sub-Saharan Africa. The awards were founded in 1994 by Benin born businessman, Ernest Adjovi, after a discussion in Namibia with the country's President Ha ...

for the Best African Hip Hop category. ''Entity'' disbanded in 2006, leading Forbes to go study sound engineering. In 2006, Forbes co-founded the production collective ''The I.V League'' alongside two other members. ''The I.V League'' made production credits for artists including

Khuli Chana Khulane Morule (born August 27, 1982), better known by his stage name Khuli Chana, is a South African Motswako rapper. Early life and career Morule was born in the Mmabatho, North West Province and started rapping motswako at a young age. He w ...

, ProKid and JR. In 2009, he released three songs, which include "In My Walk", "I Do" and "Mistakes". On 28 July 2010, Forbes released "I Want It All", which is the lead single from his debut studio album, ''

''. The album also pre-released two singles which was "All I Know" and "Victory Lap". "Victory Lap" was a success as it topped South African local radio charts. ''Alter Ego'' was then released on 23 August 2011. The album was certified gold by

RiSA Risa may refer to: * Risa (given name), a feminine given name * Risa (Star Trek), a fictional planet * Radioiodinated serum albumin * Recording Industry of South Africa Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) is a trade association repres ...

for its commercial success. The album won several accolades-notably being for the 2011

Metro FM Awards The 15th installment of the annual Metro FM Music Awards is an award ceremony that celebrates excellence in the South African music industry by honouring musicians who did exceedingly well in their field throughout 2015. The show first aired on SAB ...

winning for Best Hip Hop Album, and the 2012

South African Music Awards The South African Music Awards (often simply the SAMAs) are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held annually, usually in late April or May, with the judging process starting in N ...

for Best Male Artist of the Year.

2014–2017: ''Levels'' and ''Be Careful What You Wish For''

Forbes released his second album, '' Levels'' on 30 June 2014. The album was supported by four singles: "Jealousy", "Kontrol" (featuring Da L.E.S), "Congratulate" and "Run Jozi (Godly)" which features KO and Yanga. The album was certified platinum as for 2014, and double platinum for 2018 by RiSA. On 2 December 2016, Forbes released the lead single "The World is Yours" from his future third album. With delay of its release, Forbes ventured with associated act

in composing a collaborative album, '' Be Careful What You Wish For''. ''Be Careful What You Wish For'' was released on 28 July 2017, with positive response from critics. It was supported by three singles: "10 Fingers", "Don't Forget To Pray" and "Holy Mountain".

2018–2019: ''Touch My Blood''

With the pre-release of "The World is Yours" in 2016, Forbes also pre-released songs including "Caiphus Song", "Star Signs" (featuring

Stogie T Tumi Molekane (born 16 August 1981) is a Tanzanian-born South African rapper and poet. He was the lead vocalist of Tumi and the Volume, that was officially disbanded in 2012. In 2016 Tumi relaunched himself as Stogie T and released an eponymo ...

) and "Sweet Fire" in supporting the release of his third album, ''

''. Concerning the album's front cover, Forbes took to Twitter announcing a contention for graphic designers in designing the artwork for his album, using his clear face portrait. As numerous entries were sent, Forbes chose the winner named Taonga, who received an internship with Beam Group. Before fifteen days of its release, he released the controversial single "Beyonce" which was a dismissive song dedicated to his past partner

Bonang Matheba Bonang Dorothy Matheba (born 25 June 1987), is a South African award-winning television presenter, radio personality, actress and social media personality. Born in Mahikeng, North West, she is known for her flamboyant presenting skills and h ...

. ''Touch My Blood'' was then released on 15 June 2018 as it was set to release on 25 May 2018 but then delayed for taking time in building its promotion. The album was certified platinum then later certified double platinum by RiSA as for 2019. ''Touch My Blood'' sixth single "Fela in Versace" featuring

Kiddominant Ayoola Oladapo Agboola also known as KDDO or Kiddominant is a Nigerian recording producer, songwriter, and artist. He's best known for producing Afrobeats longest charting billboard single "Fall" by Davido, which peaked on US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay ...

received higher commercial success compared to the other singles. The album features guest appearances from fellow South African artists including L-Tido, JR, Yanga Chief, Stogie T, Kwesta & Okmalumkoolkat, as well as a sole international appearance by Nigerian artist and producer Kiddominant. On 8 April 2019, Forbes was featured on a

live event in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa. In February 2019, he was the featured roastee in

Comedy Central Comedy Central is an American basic cable channel owned by Paramount Global through its network division's MTV Entertainment Group unit, based in Manhattan. The channel is geared towards young adults aged 18–34 and carries comedy programmin ...

''SA'' annual roast special.

2020–present: ''Bhovamania'', ''Mass Country''

On 6 November 2021, AKA's

Extended Play An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.

''Bhovamania'' was released. The EP was supported by four singles: "Energy", "Python", "Monuments" and "Cross My Heart". At the 10 ceremony of South African Hip Hop Awards, he received nomination for Artist of the Decade. In early September 2022, AKA announced his upcoming studio album ''Mass Country'' via Instagram released date yet to be revealed. "Lemons emonade featuring

Nasty C Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo (born 11 February 1997), known professionally as Nasty C, is a South African rapper, songwriter, and record producer. After releasing three mixtapes, one being "Undisputed" and two EPs, Ngcobo released his debu ...

was released on September 16, 2022 as album's lead single. The song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

Personal life

Forbes began dating producer

DJ Zinhle Ntombezinhle Jiyane (born ) is a South African DJ, producer, media personality and businesswoman, who is better known by her stage name DJ Zinhle. Zinhle has also pursued an acting career. She made her on-screen debut as judge in ''Jika MaJi ...

at the end of 2014. After receiving several South African Hip Hop Awards accolades, Zinhle hinted at their relationship by tweeting "Congratulations to my winner". The couple have a daughter named Kairo Olwethu Forbes, born on 8 July 2015. In August 2015, Forbes and Zinhle split after it was revealed that Forbes allegedly cheated on Zinhle with television presenter

. As Forbes and Matheba denied the allegations, they declared as they revealed their relationship in 2016. Forbes and Matheba broke up in December 2017. However, Forbes and Zinhle got back together in late 2018, although later in 2019 they broke up again. On 21 February 2021, Forbes posted a picture on Instagram announcing his engagement to girlfriend Nelli Tembe. On 11 April 2021, Tembe died after a fall from a hotel in

. Following the death of his fiancé Nellie Thembe, reports emerged that Forbes had been on drugs. Forbes then issued a public statement in response saying he would not be drawn into exposing their troubles as a couple to defend himself against "one-sided views". The rapper's statement came in the wake of a News24 report, which claimed to have seen images where Forbes can be seen using his hands to violently break down a wooden door to enter the bedroom in their apartment in Bryanston, Johannesburg, where Tembe was hiding. The incident allegedly took place on 13 March 2021, almost a month before her death. In early 2022, fellow rapper

Nadia Nakai Nadia Nakai Kandava (née Dlamini; born 18 May 1990), is a South African-born Zimbabwean rapper and television personality. Early life and education Nakai was born in South Africa. Her father is South African and her mother is Zimbabwean. W ...

and Forbes came out as a couple and have since been parading their relationship with vacations, posts and public statements about their relationship. People had alot to say since Nakai was his long time enemy

Cassper Nyovest Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990), professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, record producer and amateur boxer. Born and raised in Mahikeng, North West, he is regarded as one of t ...

's signee to his record label

Family Tree Records Family Tree Media is a South African independent record label established in 2014 by Cassper Nyovest Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990), professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, ...

Discography

Studio albums * ''

'' (2011) * '' Levels'' (2014) * ''

'' (2018) Collaborative albums * '' Be Careful What You Wish For'' (with

) (2017) Extended Plays * ''Bhovamania'' (2020)

Awards and nominations

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aka Living people South African hip hop musicians South African rappers Cape Coloureds Musicians from Cape Town 1988 births