AKA (Kiernan Jarryd Forbes) Biography

Basic Details

AKA’s Biography

Kiernan Jarryd Forbes popularly known by the stage name AKA was born on the 28th of January 1988 in Cape Town, South Africa. AKA was a renowned rapper, songwriter, singer, record producer, entrepreneur, and most importantly SuperMega.

AKA (Kiernan Jarryd Forbes) started gaining ground and recognition after his popular single “Victory Lap” which is a single track from his debut album titled “Alter Ego”, which was released in 2011. AKA is also known as Bhova, SupaMega, Mega, and Bhovamania.

Recently, he launched his online TV station with the name AKATV which can be accessed online anytime. Truly, AKA is a great name in the South African music industry and in Hip-Hop/Rap in general.

With officials and unreleased collaborations with big names in South Africa and other countries all over the world. He has also appeared on stage local and foreign stage which made him a great name in the industry.

AKA Net Worth

AKA is estimated to be worth 12 million dollars  (USD 12,000,000). This estimate is calculated from payments for shows, album sales, royalties, stream income (YouTube), endorsement deals, properties, and investments.

His private investments are income are not included in this worth.

Family

Originally from Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. AKA was born and brought up in Michells Plain by his grandmother. In 1995 (7 years old), he moved to Johannesburg to stay with his mother, Lynn Forbes.

Father

Tony Forbes is AKA’s father. He responded to the #MuteAKA trend calls during investigations into Fiance Nelli Tembe’s death.

Mother

Lynn Forbes is AKA’s mother. She has made it to the rapper’s social media severally, we can tell they have a very special kind of relationship.

Brother

AKA’s brother is Steffan Forbes. Not a known fact, but the rapper has been seen with a man with whom they bear a striking resemblance and is believed to be his brother. In fact, this man (his brother) has been seen with him at events.

Daughter

Bhova has a daughter named Kairo Owethu Forbes. He had Kairo with his popular ex-girlfriend DJ Zinhle. After their breakup, Kairo Owethu Forbes is co-parented.

Girlfriend

AKA was in a relationship with Nadia Nakai before he was shot dead in Durban,  Before he was in a relationship with Nadia Nakai, his fiance was named Nelli Tembe, who committed suicide at a hotel and led to the #MuteAKA trend.

He also previously dated DJ Zinhle, who he has his daughter with, and separated in 2019. The rapper was also once romantically involved with the famous T.V. personality Bonang Matheba.

Education

AKA attended Holy Cross Convent in Cape Town while he was staying with his grandmother. He changed to Greenside Primary School after moving to Johannesburg with his mother before proceeding to St. John College where he obtained his College Degree.

Musical Career

AKA’s major breakout into the music industry was from his “Victory Lap” single in 2011. Although, just like every other rapper/singer with years of hard work before a breakout, AKA started music at a very young age (2000-2002). Entity hip-hop group was founded by AKA and two of his close pals Vice Versa and Greyhound in 2002. The hip-hop group was the start of something extraordinary and it won many awards.

As a rapper, AKA developed a strong interest in music recording and production he decided to learn the art. His passion and interest led to the birth and co-founding of the product label  “I.V. League” alongside two others. The record label has produced songs for top artists like Khuli Chana.

SupaMega for a reason as he’s always topping charts with his singles and albums. But it didn’t stop there, some of his songs were certified platinum.

AKA is business-oriented, he partnered with the popular vodka brand Cruz to produce a watermelon-flavored in 2018. Also, he worked with top brands like Reebok which was one of the major breakthroughs in his career. He was known to be super friendly, industrious and every brand, people want to collaborate with him

Albums

• Slave To The Sound (2004)
• La maladie de la haine (2010)
• And so It Begins (2011)
• Altar Ego (2011)
• Levels (2014) – (Certified Gold and Platinum)
• Down To Earth (2017)
• Taking Chancez (2017)
• Be Careful What You Wish For (2017)
• Attention Deficit (2018)
• Sex Hot (2018)
• Touch My Blood (2018) – (Certified Platinum)

Songs

AKA has over 100 songs in discography and over 50 unreleased (including is upcoming albums), below are a few remarkable songs by AKA which every fan knows about

• AKA – All Eyes On Me
• AKA – Main Ou’s
• AKA – Don’t Forget to Pray
• AKA – Jika
• AKA – Fela in Versace
• AKA – Make Me Sing
• AKA – The World Is Yours
• AKA – 10 Fingers
• AKA – Composure
• AKA – Congratulate

Awards and Nominations

AKA hard work and dedication have gotten him recognition both locally and all over the world. His songs and albums are considered grammy worthy by many but below are some of the awards he won:

• 2012 – Best Male Artist at the 18th South African Music Award (won)
• 2013 – Best Male South African and Best collaboration at the African Music Magazine Awards (won)
• 2014 – Best Hip-Hop artist at the MTV Africa Music Awards (nominated)
• 2014 – Most Gifted Hip-Hop award at Channel O Africa Music Awards  (nominated)

Death

AKA was shot dead on the 10th of February 2023 in a drive-by shooting on Florida Road. He was shot alongside his long-time friend Tebello Motsoane, popularly known as Tibz.

CCTC footage showed the murderer crossing the roading and putting a bullet in AKA’s head before fleeing the crime scene. A lot of people believe the incident might have been avoided if he didn’t publicly disclose his location on social media.