Riky Rick was a South African rapper, singer, songwriter, composer, actor, and entrepreneur. He was born on 20 July 1987.
His music was a charismatic mix of hip-hop, kwaito and became an iconic symbol of SA’s hip hop culture.
He was able to break into mainstream music with his platinum-certified Family Values album.
He influenced many of the young generation and was a prominent figure in South Africa’s hip hop scene.
He was 34 years old
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Fans and the entire world are still shocked at what happened to riky Rick when he turned 34.
His music was an eclectic mix of hip-hop, kwaito and rock and roll with an edgey appeal that attracted many young fans.
The rapper rose to fame in 2014 with his hit single ‘NAFUKWA’, which was followed by his debut album ‘Family Values’ the following year.
He launched his own record label Cotton Club Records and was also the founder of Cotton Fest – an urban culture platform for up and coming artists to showcase their talent.
Bianca Naidoo was his wife and they had two children. The rapper’s death has opened a discussion around the mental health issues that men face in South Africa, where suicide rates have risen in recent years.
Riky Rick, the rapper was known affectionately as Riky Rick around the globe.
He had struggled with depression for many years and had taken time off from performing live to address the problem.
On his podcast, ‘Lab LIVE”, he spoke out about his depression and said that he was “on a destructive track” since losing his father.
Suicide was his method of death.
Riky Rick, whose real name was Rikhado Makhado, grew up in KwaMashu, a township created for black people in Durban’s coastal city by the white-minority regime that ruled until Nelson Mandela‘s ascension to power in 1994.
In post-apartheid South Africa, he seemed to have it all: a loving family (he leaves behind a wife and two children) and a successful music career that also saw him mentoring up-and-coming artists.
A Grammy-winning rapper, he was also the owner of Cotton Club Records. This popular label is still in business today. He was known for his edgy and unique style and had a huge following.
The news of his death shocked his fans. They shared messages of grief and support to his horde of followers on social media.
According to a friend who worked with him, he committed suicide after struggling with his mental health for a while.
His death has sparked a national conversation on the mental health issues males face in South Africa. This country has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world.
Bianca Naidoo was his wife
Riky Rick is a singer, rapper, actor and fashion designer who has made quite a name. He is the owner of Cotton Club Records and has a huge fan following.
Bianca Naidoo was the late rapper’s wife. She was an enormous support for her husband. She was known for her courage in life and it is believed that she saved him many times before his death.
Although her ethnicity is not known, it has been suggested that she is Indian and Zulu. Although her parents are not known, it is believed that she divorced soon after marrying the rapper.
She has made headlines for her tireless fight to secure her late husband’s estate and is currently in court fighting to be recognised as his wife.
Riky Rick Naidoo and Bianca Naidoo have been married since 2013.
They lived together in Bryanston with their daughter. According to reports, they had a love-hate relationship but were still committed to each other.
He was a rapper
Riky Rick (real name Rikhado Makhado) was an aspiring rapper with big goals of breaking down musical barriers.
He was a humble man, but he managed to make a name for himself in the music business through singles like Nafukwa or Amantombozane.
He was a mentor to many aspiring artists and built Cotton Fest, a music festival that hosted a mix of established and emerging talent. He built his legacy on this platform.
But as he said, “it was always a battle to stay happy and healthy.” His death on 23 February at the age of 34 has left people in South Africa and around the world reeling.
This death has sparked a conversation about men’s mental and physical health. He is thought to have committed suicide hanging from a rope.
