AKA

When Kiernan Forbes linked up with his fellow schoolmates to form a group called Entity, little did he know what was in store for him. KORA Award nominations along with setting the hip-hop music video landscape ablaze were testament to the sense of innovation  that were part of his genetic makeup. Entity went on to establish their credibility with their smash hit “Touch N Go” and A.K.A’s stock was increasingly on the rise, featuring on material from artists such as Loyiso Bala.

Unfortunately due to the journey that is life, Entity were forced apart by the various new roads each member wanted to venture alone. A.K.A’s path remained en route towards musical superstardom.  He linked up with his musical mates, Buks and Kamza to form a production collective known as The I.V. League. His passion for production kept him active in music, albeit behind-the-scenes.

Whilst in the shadows producing the majority of PROKID’s Dankie San and other records with The League, he’s been taking the time out to craft his solo offering.  His influences, ranging from the acoustic to the electric, are well represented in the music that’s slowly piecing together his album. With the entire soundtrack to his thoughts and views being woven by The I.V. League, A.K.A is looking to be honest yet engaging, something he’s been able to do as time is on his side. His experiences as a young musician chasing the dream are vividly retold over beds of beastly beats. The thread of innovation that he’s accustomed himself to is apparent as he moves away from conventional stories that have been retold over and over again. Rather he opts for experiences that would be deemed too “honest” for an MC to speak of.  He’s candid. He’s well aware of the risk he’s taking but thrives on it. Refreshing, especially considering the current climate of clones and unoriginality.

He’s starting off 2010 on the highest note possible.  Having collected all the hits from 2009, supplemented with more incredible music that was initially meant to appear on his upcoming debut album, he’s gone on to offer the 24/7/366 EP as a substantial appetizer for those who see his promise plus any doubters posted in the bleachers. Serving as a strong signal of intent plus a palette of musical colour, it goes to show that technically and creatively AKA is a force to reckon with. Facebook and Twitter remain abuzz with fans exchanging quips on their favourite lines and concepts that have been woven so well together, you would think he’s the most Bespoke of tailors.

With songs such as “Mistakes” and “Do It” (which achieved #1 status on 5FM’s Top 40) already on the lips and minds of the urban massive and an EP filled to the brim with quality material, he’s steadily building up the clout an artist of his potential deserves. Knowing it’d be to his detriment to leave this potential unrealized, he continues to push boundaries – including his own and those of the musical realm.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

     - 2005 KORA Awards

     - 2005 Rand Easter Show

     - 2006 Edgars Music Series

     - 2006 Castrol Motor Show

     - 2009 Levi’s Rage 4 The Revolution

CHART APPEARANCES:

     - 5FM Top 40 (#1 Do It RMX)

     - Metro FM Rhyme & Reason top 10 (#1 Do It #1 Mistakes)

     - YFM Hot 99 Hip-Hop (#1 Do It #1 Mistakes #2 In My Walk)

     - YFM Fab 5@5 (#1 Do It #1 Mistakes)

CAREER TIMELINE:

     - Formed Entity in 2002

     - Signed to Creative Kingdom Records in 2005 at the age of 16

     - Released "Royal School of Hip Hop" in August 2005

     - Nominated in "Best African Hip Hop" Category at KORA Awards 2005

     - Performed at KORA Awards 2005, at Durban ICC

     - Formed The I.V. League in Q4 2007

     - Production credits include:

               PRO -"Dankie San"

               Tuks -"The Monopoly"

               Andile -"I Am Not A DJ"

               Shugasmakx -"Numba 1"

               Khuli-"Mostwako Originator"

               Entity-"Royal School of Hip Hop"

               Teargas-"Wafa Wafa"

               Psyfo “The Afterparty”

               Jub Jub “Rare Breed” -Artist Collaborations include:

               Loyiso Bala – “Blow your mind": "Step To The Throne" and "Blow Your Mind Remix"

               Bala Brothers – “Bala Brothers"

               Jae – “Amazing”

               JR – “Y.B.R.F”

               Proverb – “Super Official”