AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, and another man were killed while standing outside a restaurant in Durban on Friday night.
Two cars drove by and opened fire shortly before 10pm local time (8pm GMT), according to local reports.
It is understood he was due to perform at a nightclub called YUGO on Friday night.
A notice was shared on social media, saying the event had been cancelled “due to unforeseen circumstances”.
Paramedic Garrith Jamieson told Times Live two men were shot dead.
He said: “On arrival, paramedics met total chaos and a scene where two men, believed to be in their late 30s, sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
“Paramedics assisted the men and unfortunately the first male had sustained multiple gun shot wounds and showed no signs of life and was declared deceased at the scene.”
AKA was shot six times, according to reports.