Kiernan Jarryd Forbes (28 January 1988 – 10 February 2023),[3] known professionally as AKA, was a South African rapper, record producer, and businessman.

Born in Cape Town and raised in Johannesburg, Forbes gained recognition after releasing his single "Victory Lap" from his debut studio album, Altar Ego (2011).

[5] Kiernan Jarryd Forbes was born in Cape Town, South Africa 28 January 1988 into a Christian family.

In 2002, Forbes, alongside his two friends Vice Versa and Greyhound/Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, formed a hip hop group called Entity.

[8] The I.V League made production credits for several artists, including Khuli Chana, ProKid and JR.

[17] As numerous entries were sent, Forbes chose the winner named Taonga, who received an internship with Beam Group.

[21] On 8 April 2018, Forbes was featured on a WWE live event in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa.

[23] In April 2020, Forbes alongside vodka brand Cruz launched a watermelon-flavoured drink with his initial on the bottles.

At the tenth ceremony of the South African Hip Hop Awards, he received a nomination for Artist of the Decade.

[26] In early September 2022, AKA announced plans for his fourth studio album Mass Country on Instagram.

After receiving several South African Hip Hop Awards accolades, Zinhle hinted at their relationship by tweeting "Congratulations to my winner".

He 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".

[39] 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.

Four vehicles, two gunmen, two stalkers, and a weapons dealer all contributed to the death of AKA and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.