BET Hip Hop Awards 2023: AKA Honoured With “Global Visionary Award”

The 2023 “BET Hip Hop Awards” has honoured the late South African rap artist Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes with the prestigious Global Visionary Award, recognizing his profound impact on the global Hip-Hop landscape.

Accepting the award on his behalf during a pre-recorded special during the International airings of the show are AKA’s family, Lynn & Tony Forbes, who stated, “This is a bittersweet moment for us as a family. Kiernan lived for music and gave his all to creating a legacy that has outlived him.

Thank you, BET for bestowing such a rightful honour to Kiernan. He would have accepted this award with pride. We are humbled to receive and acknowledge this honour on his behalf, especially for Kairo, who gets to witness her father’s legacy live on.”

Monde Twala, Senior Vice President & GM Paramount Africa & Lead BET International, commented on the significance of the award and AKA’s unparalleled vision and contributions to Hip Hop, saying, “Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes was not just a music icon, he was a visionary. BET is proud to celebrate his innovative spirit and unwavering dedication to his craft which left an indelible mark on the world.

We are honoured to recognize his extraordinary contributions with the Global Visionary Award at the 2023 ‘BET Hip Hop Awards’ AKA’s legacy will forever inspire future generations, reminding us that music transcends borders and has the power to unite us all.”

In a related development, Ghanaian music star Black Sherif is the winner of the Best International Flow category at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards.

Slated to take place live in Atlanta, the 18th annual awards show will premiere on Oct. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on BET. Fat Joe will host the ceremony for the second consecutive year.