South African rapper AKA will be laid to rest in a private provincial funeral on Saturday (February 18).
Preceding the funeral is an open memorial celebration of life at Sandton Convention center on Friday (February 17). The memorial starting 15:00 (South African Time) will also be livestreamed on the AKAWORLDWIDE YouTube page for fans and well wishers that are unable to attend.
“WE AS THE FORBES FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE WE HAVE RECEIVED OVER THE
PAST FEW DAYS. KIERNAN WASN’T JUST LOVED BY US AS A FAMILY. BUT BY THE NATION, AS WE’VE SEEN FROM LOVED ONES, FRIENDS, INDUSTRY COLLEAGUES, MEDIA TRIBUTES AND THE MEGACY,” a statement by the Family read.
“IT IS OUR WISH TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF KIERNAN WITH THOSE HE TOUCHED AND IMPACTED THROUGH HIS GIFT OF MUSIC. HIS MEMORIAL WILL THEREFORE BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS STREAMED ONLINE.
RELATED: AKA’s Memorial Service At Sandton
As we previously reported, AKA, born Kiernan Jarryd Forbes was shot and killed Friday night (February 10) outside Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban, South Africa. The multi-award winning rapper had just dined at the popular eatery and was outside exchanging pleasantries with friends when an unknown gunman ran up close and shot him in the head. He was pronounced dead on the spot.
His friends and colleagues in the industry expressed their shock upon hearing the news and sent their condolences to his family.
Nigerian rapper M.I. Abaga wrote: “Aka’s death is a deep loss. I can’t fathom the pain that his family and close friends, the SA Hiphop and music community are feeling. I commiserate with you all as I continue to try understand this. You will be remembered forever bro.”
American rapper Bas also paid his respects.
“Damn this f-ckin tragic as hell. South Africa I’m so sorry for your loss. @akaworldwide always showed me love and hospitality every time we crossed paths. Always welcomed me with open arms. Rest easy king.”
AKA was prepping the release of his fifth album titled Mass Country before the tragic events. It’s still unclear if the Family will go ahead with the scheduled release on February 24.
