Publications
Partners
- AKA was shot and killed in February 2023 outside a restaurant in Durban, shortly before his album was released.
- Five songs from what became his post-houmous album 'Mass Country' went gold and platinum.
- He also won two international awards: an AFRIMA and BET award.
The days set aside to celebrate the life of late rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes are etching closer, and while 'The Megacy' waits in anticipation to hear how his life will be celebrated, his team shared just how much of a successful year AKA had last year.
The Kiernan Forbes Foundation - run by his friends and family - and Bravado have collaborated to bring his fanbase exclusive pieces and art, which will be made available from 26- 28 January as part of his birthday celebrations.
In 2023, the rapper scooped awards, and his album's numbers kept rising.
Here's a wrap that was shared on the late rapper's Instagram page.
Awards
South African Music Awards (SAMAs)
Best Engineered Album
Best Collaboration
Best Male Artist of the Year
Taking to her Instagram timeline, the rapper's mother, Lynn, praised her son for his music career, pointing out AKA's achievements.
Longevity. South African Music Awards (SAMA). 2023 - Male Artist of the Year, AKA for Mass Country. 2015 - Male Artist of the Year, AKA for Levels. 2012 - Male Artist of the Year, AKA for Altar Ego," she wrote.
Metro FM awards
AKA was nominated in six categories at the Metro FM awards, scooping four awards:
Artist of the Year
Best Hip-Hop Artist
Best Male Artist
Best Collaboration
"Kiernan (AKA) your talent is unquestionable," wrote Lynn Forbes in the caption of photos of her and her family at the rapper's grave. You have been consistent for almost two decades, and you deserve each of these awards. You are a legend, and you have left us with a lasting legacy for the generations to come."
AFRIMMA
- Best Male Southern African Male.
"Thank you to the Megacy for voting and bringing another award home. Kiernan's legacy continues to live because of all of you," his parents, Tony and Lynn, said.
"The AFRIMMAs were special to him, and winning this award for a third time is something we, as a family, will cherish."
"AFRIMMA was Kiernan's first award on American soil. To receive this award in 2023 is a testament to his great artistry and the love from South Africans and Africans as a whole," his label, VTH Season, said.
"His impact continues now and to infinity."
BET
- Global Visionary Award.
The star's parents accepted the award on their son's behalf.
''This is a bittersweet moment for us as a family. Kiernan lived for music and dedicated himself to creating a legacy that has transcended his time with us.
"It is evident that Kiernan's daughter, Kairo Forbes, will witness her father's legacy to continue to live on. His legacy will continue to elevate the South African music industry, bringing it to new heights. This recognition fills the entire country with utmost pride," they said.
DSTV Content Creator Awards
Song of the Year (Lemons to Lemonade)
READ | Kairo Forbes pays tribute to father AKA: 'He was a good dad'
"The ways in which Kiernan has been honoured in the month’s following his death speaks volumes. The recognition, tributes, and pouring out of love is bigger than his talent as an artist; it’s a reflection of the human being he was, the impact he made, and the legacy he created. It is my duty, privilege, and purpose to preserve his legacy for his daughter Kairo and the Megacy," wrote Lynn Forbes.
Music
Mass Country was released on Friday, 24 February, two weeks after the rapper was shot and killed outside a Durban restaurant.
- Lemons to Lemonade 5x platinum
- Dangerous - Gold
- Company- Platinum
- Prada- Gold
- Mbuzi (Freestyle) - Gold
Spotify Wrapped
Most streamed Hip-Hop Album.
2nd most streamed South African Album.
