5 reasons why Riky Rick captured our hearts
On the 23rd of February 2022, South African Hip Hop lost one of its biggest blockbuster acts in the game, Rikhado Makhado, affectionately known as Riky Rick. Riky was an award winning, innovator, risk taker and overall a breath of fresh air to S.A Hip Hop. He died at the tender age of 34, after committing suicide at his studio.
He openly spoke about having problems with his mental health, as well as suffering from addiction. However his legacy will live on and this is why we will remembered as one of the GOATS.
Here are 5 reasons why Riky stole our hearts:
1. The music (hip hop & piano)
Riky Rick gained popularity in 2015 with the song “Nafukwa” off of his debut album, Family Values. From then on he went to have hit after hit, with the likes of ‘Amantombazane remix, ‘Boss Zonke’, ‘Stay shining’ and ‘Sidlukotini’.
What’s hard to believe is that he only has 2 bodies of work to his name — Family values and the Stay shining EP. However the beauty of Riky was that he was always able to ride/create a wave for himself. He would release one or two songs a year and those songs would still blow up, be it a single or a feature.
2. Fashion Icon
Riky definitely flipped the culture in a similar way Kanye West did, declaring himself the best dressed rapper in the game A.K.A King Kotini (which means the King of Cotton). And almost overnight rappers started taking notice and dressing differently too.
It got to a point where you expected him to be dressed up all the time, it was part of his brand appeal. He alone is responsible for making Hip Hop in South Africa more stylish and tailored to more high fashion brands.
Riky Rick’s unique sense of style grabbed the attention of industry insiders too, earning a nod on GQ’s Best Dressed list and being invited by Gucci to attend their Milan Fashion Week show. — Farah Khalfe, Glamour Magazine (2022)
3. Cultural impact
Nobody had more iconic catchphrases than Riky, he was that influential — you couldn’t help but speak like him. I mean…..let’s run it back:
“Okay, let’s do it like this”
“Eish”
“Which one is this one?”
“Ungaziscnishi nice time dawg”
“Is too much”
His innate ability to have features with practically anybody is also immaculate, from the OG’s like A.K.A. & Da L.E.S, all the way down to the younger MC’s such as Costa Titch, A-Reece and Flvme.
Furthermore he, alongside the likes of Okmalumkoolkat, Scoop Makhathini, Stilo Magolide and others are responsible for Boyz N Bucks. Which is a crew of creatives who specialise in fashion, music, designers and pop culture. They were the biggest influence to the current state of Braamfontein culture and it’s coming of age as the ‘street fashion capital’ of South Africa.
Cottonfest
In 2015 he started Cottonfest, a hip hop music & fashion event dedicated to his loyal and brand heavy fanbase. The fashion at Cottonfest is ridiculous, if you are not dripped at all, you have no business being there fam. Most of his fans consist of young, raging, moshpit hip hop lovers called the Cotton eaters. And they are not afraid to turn the fuck up!
In fact Riky demands it!
Have you seen him perform?
4. Putting people on
Riky has always said we need to believe in the kids and give young people a chance. He has always lived by that code and has either introduced us to so many new talents or simply helped push their career in one way or another. Such as Uncle Vinny, Tyler ICU, FLVME, Frank Casino, Costa Titch and many more.
Some saw Riky as a big bro and compatriot for many artists in the industry. He reached out to everybody, regulary, asking them if they’re okay. Or if they need help with anything, he was simply that kind of guy. Not to mention he payed for the What it is video by Dr. Peppa as well as Nkalakatha remix by Costa Titch featuring A.K.A.
5. His versatility
“Hip Hop slash Kwaito slash what what innovator” —’ I can’t believe it’, Riky Rick.
Yep, he was an innovator, alongside Cassper Nyovest he’s quite possibly the most versatile artist, not just rapper, of his generation.
In 2015 he won video of the year at the MTV Africa Music Awards for Nafukwa and a South African Music Award for Best Collaboration of the year with Big Zulu for hit song, Mali Eningi.
Riky is known for his craft as a rapper however that hasn’t stopped him from dabbling in other genre’s such as Kwaito & Amapiano.
With regards to Amapiano, his features with Mas Musiq, Mr JazziQ, Mpura, DJ Maphorisa and Focalistic have all resulted in hit songs.
Brands deals
In my view Riky was easily one of the the most marketable entertainers in S.A.
He managed to secure brand deals with brands like: Remy Martin, Russian Bear, Legends Barber & Vaseline Men.
When it comes to Remy Martin & Russian Bear, it makes the most sense as to why the collaboration works, he’s an entertainer and he parties. Plus he holds influence over a younger audience (Russian Bear target market) and just as much of an influence over an older, more affluential audience (Remy Martin target market).
In fact he made a million from his collaboration with Russian Vodka, he mentions this in the lyrics of his hit single Sidlukotini:
The rap life’s just getting awkward
I made a million from selling vodka
The boss man don’t like my conduct
Somebody said I don’t drink the product
He told me: “Fuck it, it’s next level”
I told him: “Fuck it, let’s do it then”
Where’s your assistant, give me a pen
You’d have a million if you was in
He was also a partner at Legends Barber alongside the founder, Sheldon Tatchell. His influence as a celebrity personality has helped Legends Barber become the most popular barbershop brand in Africa. And now Legends Barber has around 20 stores in Southern Africa.
Alas, Riky Rick will forever be in our hearts. He’ll be remembered for how he always entertained us with his talents, style and personality. Our very own 2Pac, A.K.A. King Kotini, A.K.A. Boss Zonke.
We never die, we multiply — Riky Rick
Rest Easy Rikahdo.
