‘We await details from police’ — family mourns murdered rapper AKA

 

The family of AKA, the rapper, has reacted to his passing as the police continue to investigate.

 

AKA was gunned down in a drive-by shooting along Florida Road in Durban, South Africa on Friday night.

 

The rapper was meant to celebrate his birthday at the YUGO nightclub located in Stamford Hill.

 

It is understood that some persons in two cars shot at the rapper outside Wish Restaurant.

 

Reacting via the deceased’s social handles, his family said they’re looking to the police for details on his murder.

 

“It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved son and confirm his untimely and tragic passing on the evening of February 10, 2023,” the family wrote in a statement.

 

“We await further details from the Durban police.

 

 “To us, [he] was a brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and most importantly, a father to his beloved daughter Kairo.

 

“In this time of grief, we appeal for your compassion, space, and time to congregate as a family and decide on the upcoming days.”

 

Born Kiernan Forbes, AKA gained fame after releasing ‘Victory Lap’, a track from his 2011 debut album ‘Altar Ego’.

 

AKA continued his success by releasing other studio albums including ‘Levels’ in 2014.

 

He released ‘Touch My Blood’ in 2018 and ‘Bhovamania’ in 2020.

 

The rapper also put out the collaborative project ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’ alongside Anatii in 2017.

 

AKA became recognised in Nigeria after releasing a hit single titled ‘Fela in Versace’.

 

He worked with Burna Boy, the Grammy-winning Afrofusion singer.

 

The rapper was once criticised over his stance on xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa.

 

At the time, Burna Boy severed ties with the rapper, publicly declaring he wouldn’t visit South Africa again.

 

AKA’s death comes years after the passing of his girlfriend Nelli Tembe.

 

The rapper announced his engagement to Tembe in February 2021.

 

However, Tembe died later in April of that year after falling at a hotel in Cape Town.