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Culture · People

The Life and Legacy of SA Rapper Riky Rick

Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado popularly know as Riky Rick was born on the 20th of July 1987 in KwaMashu, South Africa.

AFROWIRED · 24 February 2022 · 1 min read

Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado popularly know as Riky Rick was born on the 20th of July 1987 in KwaMashu, South Africa.

Riky Rick was an entrepreneur, fashion icon, father and an award-winning rapper who kept his fans entertained and everyone around him inspired. A business-oriented rapper, Riky Rick was renowned for his entrepreneurial acumen in the music business, advertising and fashion.

Riky Rick's Music

Riky Rick's music career commenced through a studio session he had with TV personality and music producer Bongani Fassie. Riky drew inspiration from his time with Bongani to make his own music. Following this, he went on to release his first single "Barbershop" which features Da L.E.S. Riky Rick's big break landed when he released his smash hit "Nafukwa".

Riky went on to form his on label Cotton Club Records which operates under his Makhado Makhado Agency.

CottonFest, A Concert by Riky Rick

In rising to become one of of SA's favourite rappers, Riky instituted his own festival; CottonFest in 2019. This festival is aimed at giving a platform for undiscovered SA artists and also creators. The 2022 edition of Cotton Fest is slated for 17th and 19th of March.

cottton fest
riky rick life and death

A Fashion Trailblazer

Riky Rick became a fashion icon with his style of fusing street with runway, Riky was never caught 'unfresh'. He always kept a vibrant, clean and a dapper style across all appearances, from stage, to clubs and boardrooms.

Life and Death of Riky Rick

Somewhere 2010, Riky met Bianca Naidoo in Sandton and the two had a daughter, Jordan. In 2013, the couple got married and welcomed their second child, a son named Maik Daniel in 2014. Riky practised sobriety after a torrid time with alcohol and drug addiction in his youth.

Few hours leading to Riky's death, he tweeted: “I’ll return a stronger man. This land is still my home.”

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