Sony Music Entertainment Africa and the extended Sony Music executives and employees are deeply and profoundly saddened by the loss of rapper, Rikhado ‘Riky Rick’ Makhado. Riky Rick was a brilliant artist and an inspiration to many.
Managing Director of Sony Music Africa, Sean Watson, said:
“Riky has been a symbol of commitment to his craft, a dedicated student of his art and an encouraging beacon of support to his peers and successors alike. Riky was a caring creative who gave everything he had to make a difference to the world that he lived and created in. The space that Riky leaves will forever echo with his energy and his work will occupy an indelible moment of mastery in the history of this country’s Hip Hop movement. We salute Riky and offer our thoughts and prayers to those he leaves behind.”
The rapper’s family confirmed his passing in a statement and said:
“The family of South African artist Riky Rick with profound sadness this afternoon confirmed his untimely passing. Son, husband, father, brother and uncle, Riky ‘Ricky’ Makhado (34) sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning (23rd February) in Johannesburg. Affectionately known as Riky Rick across the globe, he was deeply loved by his family, friends and the entire entertainment industry. His love for family, friends and community is well known. Riky’s nurturing and developing of young musical talent is well documented, and will forever be remembered. He leaves behind his wife, two children, his mother and five siblings. The Makhado family humbly request privacy as they go through this extremely difficult period of grieving. The family has not appointed a spokesperson at this point and they ask that you please keep them in your prayers. The family are also deeply thankful for and appreciates the countless messages of love and support received, These are felt deeply. Details of the funeral and memorial will be confirmed at a later stage.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who loved him and were touched by him. Riky Rick was nothing less than a giant and his legend will live on forever.
Rest in peace, Boss Zonke.
ABOUT RIKY RICK:
Over the course of his career, Riky Rick (real name Rikhado Makhado) has established himself a leading authority within the South African entertainment scene as a singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and fashion aficionado. Born in the township of KwaMashu in KwaZulu Natal, Riky’s style is an amalgamation of early kwaito and hip hop, grounded in his humble upbringing and unique to his raw and eclectic style, that sits perfectly between township life and international appeal. Starting out as a part of the burgeoning hip hop crew Boyz N Bucks, Riky announced his solo path in dynamic fashion with the explosive scene-changing single, “Amantombazane”, proof that he wasn’t here to play. With his debut album Family Values (2015) spawning the MTV Africa award-winning video for trappy anthem “Nafukwa (Fok Julle Naaiers), the supremely catchy “Boss Zonke”, and the heart-warming ballad “Sondela”, it went on to be certified platinum, being named as one of the Top 20 African albums in its year of release, and making Riky a 5 times Metro Award nominee. His ‘Stay Shining EP’ (2017) did equally as well, picking up two nominations at the 2018 South African Music Awards for Best Remix (“Buy It Out”) and Best Rap Album.
Possessing a keen and focused eye for artistic detail, Riky’s creative vision spilled over into his style and flare for flamboyant fashion, expressing himself through the moniker of King Kotini, which was born around the same time he dropped the music video for his now-iconic track “SIDLUKOTINI” (2016). His status as a fashion icon was cemented when he was awarded Most Stylish Male in performing Art at the prestigious SA Style Awards during the same year. Soon after, driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Riky founded Cotton Club Records in 2017 and wasted no time in launching a streetwear line in 2018, a range that created a record-breaking queue in South Africa for the longest line for any local retailer. Most recently, Riky has positioned himself as a talent nurturer, through his stint as a coach on Season 3 of The Voice SA (2019), as well as a culture purveyor and plug with his wildly successful sold out event, Cotton Fest (2019, 2020). As an artist who has a hand in every creative aspect of his career, Riky Rick’s vibrant energy is matched only by his all-round eclecticism, both of which he’s generously poured into his music.
