AKA, the Prince of South African hip hop is born

Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, popularly known by his stage name AKA was born in Cape Town on 28 January 1988.[1] He started out his hip hop career as part of a group called Entity, whose most popular record is “Touch N Go”, however the group disbanded in 2006, and AKA ventured out into his solo music career. After studying sound engineering, he co-founded The I.V. League with Kamza and Buks in 2007.[2] AKA released hit singles such as “Mistakes”; “Do It”; and “In My Walk”.[3] AKA won “Best Newcomer”, “Best Hip Hop”, and “Best Produced Album” at the Metro FM Music Awards in 2009 for his debut album “Altar Ego”.[4] His single “Victory Lap”[5] won the “Most Gifted Hip Hop Video” at the 7th Annual Channel O Music Video Awards in 2011. He also received the “Male Artist of the Year”[6] and “Best Street Urban Music Album” at the 18th Annual South African Music Awards, the same year. AKA’s second album “Levels” is certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa.[7] He won he “Best Male Southern Africa” and “Best Collaboration” at the 2015 African Muzik Magazine Awards. AKA received the award for “Best Male Artist” at the 2012 and 2015 South African Music Awards. At the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards, AKA won the “Most Digital Sales”, “Song of the Year”, “Most Valuable Artist”, “Best Collaboration” awards. He received the award for “Best Collaboration” and “Best Hit Single” for his song “Baddest” at the 2016 Metro FM Music Awards. In 2016, AKA was nominated at the BET Awards for the “Best International Act” award. AKA has opened for various international artists to the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Big Sean, Snoop Dogg, 2 Chainz and Rick Ross, upon their South African tours. He is said to be one of the most influential rappers in South Africa, as well as in Africa.[8] End Notes [1] AKA Biography, http://musicmag.co.za/aka-biography/ (14 December 2016) ↵ [2] AKA: Biography, https://hiphopafrican.com/2015/03/09/aka-biography/ (9 June 2017) ↵ [3] Biography: AKA, http://www.koraawards.com/en/music/biography-aka/ (9 June 2017) ↵ [4] AKA Biography, http://musicmag.co.za/aka-biography/ (14 December 2016) ↵ [5] AKA Biography, http://musicmag.co.za/aka-biography/ (14 December 2016) ↵ [6] AKA: Biography, https://hiphopafrican.com/2015/03/09/aka-biography/ (9 June 2017) ↵ [7] Biography: AKA, http://www.koraawards.com/en/music/biography-aka/ (9 June 2017) ↵ [8] Biography: AKA, http://www.koraawards.com/en/music/biography-aka/ (9 June 2017) ↵