Rapper AKA gunned down and killed

South African rap star AKA, whose real name was Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, was gunned down and killed outside a restaurant in Durban on Friday night

A South African rap star is one of two men killed in a drive by shooting in the city of Durban.

Rapper AKA, real named Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, was just 35 when his life was brutally cut short on Friday – and not long before he was due to take to a stage to perform.

AKA and the second man were standing outside a restaurant in the South African city when they were killed by gun fire.

Local reports have stated that the pair were shot at 10pm local time (8pm GMT) and that two cars drove past with passengers opening fire unleashing a hail of bullets.

AKA had been due to perform at a nightclub called YUGO but the event was subsequently cancelled with a notice on social media saying the gig was being abandoned “due to unforeseen circumstances”.

Paramedic Garrith Jamieson told Times Live: “On arrival, paramedics met total chaos and a scene where two men, believed to be in their late 30s, sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

“Paramedics assisted the men and unfortunately the first male had sustained multiple gun shot wounds and showed no signs of life and was declared deceased at the scene.”

While further reports have suggested AKA was shot six times.

Fans have taken to social media to express their shock and sorrow.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “RIP AKA…the music industry in this world won’t forget you. You did great sir.”

And another bereft fan tweeted: “I am utterly devastated and heartbroken.”

AKA was born in Cape Town, South Africa, on 28 January 1988 and broke into the music scene in 2002 when he formed a hip hop group called Entity alongside fellow performers Vice Versa and Greyhound.

They went on to receive a nomination for a KORA Award in the Best African Hip Hop category before disbanding in 2006.

AKA went on to create music as a solo artist leading up to the release of his debut album, Alter Ego, which was released in 2011.

He went on to release three further albums – with the most recent being the 2018 record Touch My Blood.

In his personal life, AKA had an on-off relationship with 39-year-old music producer DJ Zinhle, real name Ntombezinhle Jiyane.