South African rapper Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, popularly known as AKA, was shot dead in a drive-by shooting on Florida Road on Friday night.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda has told the BBC that the rapper and his friend were walking to their car when they were approached by two armed men who shot them at close range.
Forbes was born and raised in Cape Town South Africa and rose to fame after releasing ‘Victory Lap’ from his debut studio album, Altar Ego, in 2010.
However, hours before his death, the 35-year-old posted on social media about his upcoming album, Mass Country, which is set for release later this month.
The rapper’s family in a statement put on his Twitter page confirmed his death and urged his fans to pray for the family.
The statement read in part, ‘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’.
Below is the full statement from the family in confirmation of the death.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) February 11, 2023