AKA, whose real name is Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, is a South African musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was born on January 28, 1988, in Cape Town, South Africa. AKA’s music career began in 2002, when he formed a hip hop group called Entity, which released an album titled “Touch N Go” in 2005.
Early Life
AKA grew up in the township of Mitchell’s Plain in Cape Town. He attended Holy Cross Convent Primary School and later attended Greenside High School in Johannesburg. AKA’s father was a comedian, actor, and film director, and his mother was a teacher. He inherited his love for music from his father.
Career
After the disbandment of Entity in 2006, AKA went on to pursue a solo career and released his debut album, “Alter Ego,” in 2011. The album was a commercial success and earned him numerous award nominations. He has since released several successful albums, including “Levels,” “Touch My Blood,” and “Bhovamania.”
AKA has won multiple awards, including 16 South African Music Awards and 3 MTV Africa Music Awards. He has also collaborated with several international artists, including Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Burna Boy.
Discography
Here is a list of AKA’s albums:
| Album Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Alter Ego | 2011 |
| Levels | 2014 |
| Be Careful What You Wish For | 2017 |
| Touch My Blood | 2018 |
| Bhovamania | 2020 |
You can stream AKA’s music on Boomplay.
Personal Life
AKA has been in several high-profile relationships. He was in a long-term relationship with DJ Zinhle, with whom he has a daughter named Kairo. He also dated media personality Bonang Matheba for a couple of years. In 2021, his fiancée Anele Tembe passed away tragically.
AKA attended the University of Johannesburg where he pursued a degree in sound engineering but did not complete his studies.
Wealth
As of 2024, AKA’s net worth is estimated to be around $12 million USD. In South African Rand (ZAR), his net worth is around R168 million, in Nigerian Naira (NGN), his net worth is around ₦5 billion, in Canadian Dollar (CAD), his net worth is around $15 million CAD, in Ghanaian Cedi (GHS), his net worth is around GH₵70 million, in Kenyan Shilling (KES), his net worth is around KSh1.29 billion, in Ugandan Shilling (UGX), his net worth is around USh44 billion, and in Indian Rupee (INR), his net worth is around ₹930 crore.
House and Cars
AKA has a luxurious house in one of the upmarket areas in Johannesburg, South Africa. He also has an impressive car collection that includes a BMW 6 Series, Range Rover Sport, and a Porsche Cayenne.
Social Media Accounts
You can follow AKA on his social media accounts:
In Summary, AKA is one of the most successful musicians in Africa and has made a significant contribution to the African music industry. With multiple awards and hit albums, AKA has cemented his place as one of the influential artists in Africa.