
I(m)bali Live: Helen Herimbi sits with Kiernan Forbes
- J&B Hive Conversations, Music
- #BetterBlended, #LiveFromTheHive, #recordingartist, AKA, Artist, Creatives, KIERNAN FORBES, Musician
- January 24, 2020
Reading Time: 3 Minutes
South Africa’s self-proclaimed Prince of Hip Hop visited the #imbaliLIVE couch to discuss his come-up, legendary career and the future of AKA.

Two cents:
- AKA’s real name is pronounced “Kerr-nan” and not “Keenan”
- Kiernan aspired to become a video game programmer and then a soccer player before transitioning to music.
With a come-up story so well-known it sounds like SA Hip Hop folklore, Kiernan Forbes started producing music in 2001.
A torrent of major hits and 3 multi-platinum albums later, Supa Mega is one of the few Hip Hop artists who’ve cemented their names in SA music history.
Here are 3 talking points from the first i(m)bali LIVE of 2020:
Music
The power of hip hop, of becoming an emcee, is that you can turn yourself into a superhero

Forbes’ sound has evolved from a lyrically-heavy, hard rapping style, to an impressive array that includes African traditional influences, experimental genres and even autotune. This consistent growth is the hallmark of an almost 20 year career and can be attributed to several factors, including the 2 below:
First, Kiernan acknowledges the influence of a well-known romantic interest on his art. The significant other had extensive knowledge of the house music genre, and played a part in the samples that supported some of AKA’s later hits.
Secondly, his longevity is partially attributed to a ‘formula’ he uses to drop music. Forbes speaks quite a bit about this, referring to an album as a ‘puzzle’ – and how he aims for a balance of “radio hits” vs. “deep music” before releasing his projects. In addition, the rapper also aims to create songs that will be associated with special moments such as weddings, birthdays, changing seasons, etc.
The aim of any artist is to make songs that will be played during special moments.
Beef
‘Beef’ will almost always be synonymous with rap. As long as people find drama entertaining, it will always be more marketable than ‘unity’.
Throughout Forbes’ career, his outspoken personality and highly publicised encounters have made him a frequent feature in Mzansi’s entertainment news. From high-profile relationships to verbal exchanges with other artists, AKA has had to come to terms with his personal struggles becoming tabloid gossip.
It was all over the internet and ‘entertainment’ news, but it wasn’t funny or ‘entertaining’ for my family.
Kiernan has expressed uncomfortable sentiments about the lack of privacy in his life. During his i(m)bali interview he offered a warning to young artists and others who might be seeking fame.
I mean who would want (fame)? To not be able to visit the mall without people pointing at you?
Business
If you catch the Mega one today you may see him carrying a lavishly-styled WWE Championship Belt. Despite this being a personal expression of his love for wrestling and his status in the game; in real life, AKA has turned this love into a major collaboration with the WWE.
Subsequently, his love for video games and soccer turned into a deal with Playstation & FIFA. While he has also seen the release of a personalised Reebok sneaker, among several other major moves.
This significant transition from ‘AKA the hitmaker’ to ‘AKA the brand’ is best captured in a keynote address delivered by Forbes at the 2019 Loerie Awards. In fact, the financial freedom Forbes tasted with these moves has become the latest focus of his illustrious career.
The best thing about money, is having the power to execute any idea that I can think of .

In addition to these stories, Forbes shared some powerful gems that can only be picked up from i(m)bali’s full video of the talk.
Look, don’t let a manager go to all your meetings, negotiate all your deals and handle your entire network. Because after they leave, you will be left with nothing.
For more detailed scoops from the interview, you can hug @uHelenH for when the full video drops. Otherwise, you can hug @hivejoburg for more stories. And don’t forget to give props to the legend @akaworldwide for a Mega career – and more Mega moves to come.



i(m)bali LIVE is an interview series that takes place at The J&B Hive, in front of an audience every first Saturday of the month. The brainchild of music journalist Helen Herimbi, the live interview series began as a podcast in early 2018.
Visit helenherimbi.co.za for more information.
Written by: Lungelo Hlela (I am Multeemedia) // Images taken by: @dayphotolife
– – – – –
Lungelo Hlela is a Digital Copywriter based in Johannesburg, South Africa. When he’s not writing for brands, most of his work includes themes about social issues, history and popular culture. Follow him @lungelosam for more of his existentialist ramblings and romantic ideals.
SEO Services
Awesome post! Keep up the great work! 🙂
SEO Affiliate Program
Awesome post! Keep up the great work! 🙂
AffiliateLabz
Great content! Super high-quality! Keep it up! 🙂
margo
Helpful information. Fortunate me I found your website by accident, and I’m stunned why
this twist of fate did not took place earlier! I bookmarked it.
cbd oil
Hi there, I log on to your blog regularly. Your humoristic style is witty,
keep it up!
cbd oil
My brother recommended I may like this website.
He used to be entirely right. This post actually made my day.
You can not believe simply how a lot time I had spent for this info!
Thank you!
Royal CBD
I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how much effort you put to create such a great informative web site.
Annabelle
Thanks very nice blog!
Hien Arguilez
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good web site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?
I am Multeemdia
Hi, glad you like the content we share. Please subscribe to our newsletter here: https://thehivejohannesburg.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=dff57a5dfb6b16855ab0c9773&id=20b6739d39
Candyce Blansett
Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your blog and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a long time.
Gilbert
Hi! I just wish to give you a huge thumbs up for the great info you’ve got right here
on this post. I’ll be coming back to your site for more soon.
I am Multeemdia
Thank you, really appreciate the feedback.
Marina
Hey there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site
with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely
enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Fantastic blog and wonderful design and style.
Skincell Pro Review
Having read this I thought it was rather enlightening.
I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this content together.
I once again find myself spending a significant amount of
time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Madelyn
Good post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte
more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a
little bit more. Many thanks!
Addie Kuipers
I just want to say I’m beginner to blogging and site-building and definitely loved your web blog. Almost certainly I’m planning to bookmark your website . You absolutely have remarkable article content. Many thanks for sharing with us your web-site.
Mckinley
I’m extremely inspired with your writing skills as
well as with the layout on your weblog. Is that this a paid topic
or did you customize it your self? Either way stay up the excellent quality
writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
Joaquina Yasutake
Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good web site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?
I am Multeemedia
Hi, thank you for your feedback and we appreciate you! Please subscribe to our email list via this link: https://thehivejohannesburg.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=dff57a5dfb6b16855ab0c9773&id=20b6739d39
To view our latest newsletter, click on this link: https://mailchi.mp/57b9a6c1f586/reaching-for-our-next-level-3693689
Ladawn Halston
Hi there. I discovered your web site by means of Google while searching for a related topic, your site came up. It appears good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.
Miss Date Doctor breakup package
Awesome article.Much thanks again. Really Great.