Gory VIDEOS (18+): How South African rapper AKA was gunned down

One of South Africa's most popular rappers has been shot dead outside a restaurant in the southeastern city of Durban.

Kiernan Forbes, known as AKA, was gunned down alongside his friend Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane on Friday, shortly before he was due to perform on stage. Police said the men were walking towards their car from a restaurant when they were allegedly approached by armed suspects and shot at point-blank range. 

The 35-year-old rapper won multiple South African awards, was nominated several times for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award in the United States, and was once nominated for an MTV Europe Music Award. 

'It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved son,' his parents Tony and Lynn Forbes said in a statement posted on AKA's Instagram account. 'Our son was loved, and he gave love in return.'

Recall Lucky Dube was killed in 2007 after dropping off his son at a relative's home when gunmen shot him three times at close range.