AKA (rapper)

AKA
Background information
Birth name	Kiernan Jordan Forbes
Born	(1988-01-28) 28 January 1988 Cape Town, South Africa
Origin	Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, record producer
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Vth Season
Associated acts	Entity, Da L.E.S, K.O, I.V. League, Khuli Chana, Burna Boy

Kiernan Jordan Forbes (born 28 January 1988), better known by his stage name AKA, is a South African rapper originally from Cape Town.^[1]

Early career

In 2002, he was part of the rap group Entity that had a hit with "Touch N Go". Entity were nominated in 2005 for "Best African Hip Hop" in the KORA Awards^[2] and performed during the event. He went on to study sound engineering before choosing to perform. "I decided that’s what I needed to do," says the man dubbed the Prince of South African Rap.^[3]

As Entity disbanded in 2006, AKA went on to study sound engineering and later joined Buks and Kamza to form the production collective The I.V. League in 2007 known. His production credits include tracks by PRO, Tuks Senganga, Andile, Shugasmakx, Khuli Chana, Teargas, Psyfo, Jub Jub, Loyiso Bala, Bala Brothers, Jae, JR and Proverb.^[2][4]

Music career

AKA ventured for a solo career with hits like "Mistakes", "In My Walk" and "Do It" with the latter making it to number 1 on the South African 5FM Top 40.^[2] He won Metro FM Music Awards for "Best Newcomer", "Best Hip Hop" as a solo act and "Best Produced Album" for his debut Altar Ego.^[1] It is then that he was dubbed "Prince of South African Rap" by one of the national newspapers.^[5] He also won "Best Dressed man" during the GQ Awards in South Africa alongside Oscar Pistorius.^[4]

In 2011 AKA's song "Victory Lap" won Channel O's Most Gifted Hip-Hop Video at the 7th annual Channel O Music Video Awards and at the 18th South African Music Awards AKA was awarded Male Artist of the Year and Best Street Urban Music Album.^[6] The rapper went say "Winning the awards has been a big honour and it is very humbling. The Male Artist of the Year award has made me see myself as a musician across all genres and not just a hip-hop artist,".

AKA has opened for Kanye West, Snoop Lion, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar in their South African tours.^[7] He has won many awards including "Best Street Urban Music Album" and "Male Artist of the Year" at the 18th South African Music Awards (SAMA) South African equivalent to the Grammys.^[1]

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Music videos

Awards and nominations

• African Muzik Magazine Awards
  • 2014: Best Male Southern Africa - (Nominated)^[10]
  • 2014: Best Rap Act - (Nominated)^[10]

• MTV Africa Music Awards
  • 2014: Best Hip Hop - (Nominated)^[11]

• Kora Awards
  • 2005: Best African Hip Hop - (Nominated)

References