AKA shot dead: Top South African rapper killed with friend

One of South Africa's starring rappers, popularly known arsenic AKA, has been changeable dormant extracurricular a edifice successful the coastal metropolis of Durban.

Kiernan Forbes was killed on with his adjacent friend, the cook and entrepreneur Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane.

The brace are thought to person been connected their mode to a nightclub for a show arsenic portion of Forbes' day celebrations erstwhile they were shot.

The motive of the sidesplitting is being investigated.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda has told the BBC that the rapper and his person were walking to their car erstwhile they were approached by 2 equipped men who changeable them astatine adjacent range.

The assailants past fled the country connected foot.

Police person said they don't privation to speculate connected whether the murders were a effect of a deed but said that anticipation cannot beryllium ruled out.

Forbes began his philharmonic vocation arsenic portion of the rap radical Entity earlier helium launched his solo career, winning respective awards successful South Africa for his music.

He was besides celebrated internationally, with respective nominations for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award successful the US and an MTV Europe Music Award.

Hours earlier his death, the 35-year-old posted connected societal media astir his upcoming album, Mass Country, which is acceptable for merchandise aboriginal this month.

Forbes' parents person paid tribute to him successful a connection posted connected 1 of his societal media accounts.

"To us, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, relative and friend, astir importantly begetter to his beloved girl Kairo," they wrote.

"To many, helium was AKA, Supa Mega, Bhova and the galore different names of affection his legion of fans called him by. Our lad was loved and gave emotion successful return."

Motsoane, who was besides AKA's erstwhile manager, has been described connected societal media arsenic "a existent gentleman".

South Africa has 1 of the highest execution rates successful the satellite and shootings are not uncommon.

The foundation Gun Free South Africa, which works to trim weapon unit successful the country, estimates that 30 radical are murdered successful the state with guns daily.