AKA

AKA, born Kiernan Jarryd Forbes in 1988 and known for his sharp wordplay and confident, anthemic delivery, was one of South Africa's most prominent hip-hop artists until his death in 2023. He began his career as part of a group called Entity before going solo after finishing school, later co-founding the production collective I.V. League, which produced for a range of South African artists before AKA shifted his focus fully to performing and rapping.

His sound merged hip-hop with South African pop and R&B sensibilities, giving him broad commercial appeal alongside credibility in hip-hop circles. His debut album, «Alter Ego», released in 2011, was met with critical acclaim and cemented his place in the mainstream, following earlier singles like «I Want It All» and «Victory Lap». Later hits such as «Composure», «Fela In Versace», «All Eyes On Me» and «Run Jozi (Godly)» showed his continued evolution as both a rapper and a hitmaker, often built around big, singalong hooks.

AKA collaborated widely across the South African music scene throughout his career, and songs like «Caiphus Song» and «Don't Forget to Pray» reflected a more personal, reflective side to his artistry. He remains regarded as a defining figure of South African hip-hop in the 2010s and early 2020s.