AKA to lead Bay hip-hop revival

ONE of the country's biggest and most popular hip-hop acts will perform in Port Elizabeth tomorrow, thanks to a local production company that wants to make sure the genre is revived here.

AKA, whose real name is Kiernan Jordan Forbes, 26, will have fans krumping and singing along to his latest album, Levels, while also taking them on a trip down memory lane as he performs tracks from his debut,  Altar Ego,  at the Humerail Recreational Club.

Levels  went straight to the top on South African iTunes when it was released digitally earlier this year.

"From the new album I will perform tracks like Congratulate, which was positively received by my fans. I want to thank people for being supportive.

"I am excited and look forward to giving PE a good time. I want to make them happy, sing along and dance," AKA said.

The Cape Town-born and Johannesburg-bred rapper, formerly a member of disbanded hip-hop group Entity, made a name for himself back in 2011.

Although he has no immediate family in the friendly city, he said he did not think twice when approached about the show, partly because of his fans. Quipping "I have friends and fans in PE; I guess that counts as family!", AKA added he especially enjoyed performing in coastal venues.

"Luckily I love the coast, so I love being out there. Port Elizabeth is very laid back and its people are very friendly," he said.

The star, who has a huge national following and has been dubbed the "Prince of South African Rap", has often landed himself in hot water for being overly confident.

Questioned about the size of his ego, he quickly diverged, asking: "Can we please we skip that question?"

However AKA did go on to describe his upcoming performance as "the usual unusual".

"Basically people can expect the usual AKA kind of performance ... but then again, there is never anything usual about my shows!"

Johannesburg duo Twins on Decks will perform alongside AKA at the concert.

Brent Williams, of events company PE Entertainment, which arranged the performance, promised hip-hop enthusiasts and party goers "the event of the year".

Doors open at 7pm till late and tickets are available at Sportscene Greenacres at R100. VIP tickets are R200 each. - Balisa Ntloko

For more information contact Brent Williams on 084-912-2976 or Zeno Bellairs on 074-483-6144.