Riky Rick
- Birth name: Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado
- Born: 20 July 1987
- Died: 23 February 2022
- Place of birth: KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Main activity: Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur
- Musical genre: Hip hop, kwaito, trap, Afroswing
Riky Rick was one of South Africa’s most famous and influential rappers. He was also the founder and owner of record label Cotton Club Records and a member of Boyz N Bucks. He was known for his unique fusion of hip-hop and kwaito, his flamboyant persona as Boss Zonke and his stylish fashion sense. He died by suicide at age 34 in his recording studio in Johannesburg.
Career
Riky Rick’s music career with Bongani Fassie, who encouraged him to make his own music. He released his first single Barbershop featuring Da L.E.S in 2009. He followed with mixtapes such as The Comeback Kid and Last Summer with Da L.E.S.
In 2015, he released his debut album Family Values, which received positive reviews and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). The album featured guest appearances from Cassper Nyovest, Okmalumkoolkat, Zano and Black Motion.
In 2016, he released his single Sidlukotini. He also explored other aspects of urban culture, such as fashion and mentorship. He launched his own clothing line called Cotton Club Records Merchandise in 2018. He also created Cotton Fest, an urban culture platform for up and coming and established artists.
Awards
Riky Rick won several awards throughout his career, and has received posthumous recognition since his passing:
- MTV Africa Music Award - Video of the Year for "Nafukwa" (2015)
- Metro FM Music Award - Best Hit Single with "Sidlukotini" (2016)
- SA Style Award - Most Stylish Performing Artist in Music (2017)
- South African Hip Hop Award - Best Collaboration (2021)
- South African Hip Hop Award - MVP/Hustler of the Year (2021)
- BET Hip Hop Awards - Inaugural Global Visionary Award (Posthumous, 2022)
- Cannes Lions Awards - Silver Lion for the AI-generated song "Stronger" (Awarded to the Riky Rick Foundation and production companies, Posthumous, 2024)
Personal life
Riky Rick was in a relationship with Bianca Naidoo. They had a son named Maik a year after allegedly tying the knot in 2013. However, reports after his death indicated that they were not legally married. This is a key piece of information that emerged in discussions about his estate.
Bianca Naidoo has another child named Jordyn from a previous relationship, but Riky Rick loved and raised her as his own, though he was not her biological father.
He suffered from depression for years, which he spoke about in various interviews. Riky died by suicide on 23 February 2022 in his recording studio in Johannesburg.
Discography
Singles:
- Barbershop (feat. Da L.E.S) (2011)
- Nafukwa (20145
- Amantombazane (Remix) (2014)
- Sondela (feat. Zano) (2015)
- Boss Zonke (2015)
- Fuseg (feat. Cassper Nyovest and Anatii) (2015)
- Say My Name (Spread Love) (2015)
- Sidlukotini (2016)
- Do Better (with Major League DJz feat. Patoranking and Kly) (2017)
- Oh Lord (2017)
- Bandz Over Friends (2017)
- Family (feat. Frank Casino) (2017)
- Stay Shining (feat. Cassper Nyovest, Professor, Major League DJz and Ali Keys) (2017)
- Murdah (feat. Davido and Gemini Major) (2018)
- Pick You Up (feat. A-Reece) (2017)
- I Can’t Believe It (Macoins) (2018)
- You And I (feat. Mlindo The Vocalist) (2019)
- Ungazincishi (feat. Focalistic and Tyler ICU) (2020)
Albums:
- Family Values (2015)
