Riky Rick, a 34-year-old rapper from South Africa, died on February 23. He was born Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado, on born 20 July 1987.
KAMPALA | LIFESTYLE UGANDA (https://lifestyleuganda.com/) — A family spokesperson confirmed that Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado, known professionally as Riky Rick, had died aged 34. He was a South African rapper.
- Riky Rick, a well-known rapper from South Africa, died at the age of 34.
- He was 34 years old and born on July 20, 1987.
- His hit songs include Amantombazane, Boss Zonke, and Sidlukotini.
- Riky Rick and his wife Bianca Naidoo had two children at the time of his death.
It has been confirmed that the rapper died early on Wednesday in a statement sent to local media outlets.
The family asked for privacy and prayers.
“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 (February 23) in Johannesburg.”
The family spokesperson, Sheikani Makhado, confirmed that he passed away, but was unable to divulge any further information.
“The family is still meeting, and we will release a statement in due course. We ask for your understanding.”
After establishing his name and asserting his influence in South African hip-hop culture behind the scenes for several years, Riky Rick broke into mainstream fame with his platinum-certified album Family Values in 2015.
He made his mark on the world with hit songs such as Amantombazane, Boss Zonke, and Sidlukotini.
Known for his love for fine clothes and culture, Ricky Rick became an icon for all the cool kids and light for upcoming artists due to his style and commitment to fashion.
Additionally to his musical legacy, he was responsible for establishing the Cotton Festival, which is due to return in 2022 after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dealing with depression
Hip-hop artist Riky Rick revealed in 2020 that he suffered from depression after the death of his father.
The rapper, who took a year off from live performances a few years back to deal with depression, told listeners of his podcast “LAB LIVE” that he had experienced “chronic depression” and was on a “destructive path” after losing his father.
“I lost my father at a time when I needed help. I lost him at a time when I needed that voice. A lot of people don’t understand that you can never replace the voice of a father. It wasn’t like he just died, it was like 18 years, living with your dad for a year, and then going back to your mom. I love being with my mom but living with him for a year. A child is never meant to live without his parents.”
His family life
In early 2010, Makhado met Bianca Naidoo in Sandton, who gave birth to Jordan Makhado later that year. In 2013, they were married, and in 2014 they had their first child, Maik Daniel Makhado (born 2014).
At the time of his death, Rapper Riky Rick was married to Bianca Naidoo and had two children.
Did Riky Rick commit suicide?
Riky Rick’s untimely death is still unknown, but Sunday World has the confirmation that he allegedly committed suicide at his residence in the north of Joburg earlier on Wednesday.
Rapper Riky Rick, according to sources who spoke with The Sunday World, allegedly hung himself with a rope after suffering from severe depression.
His management team found him still alive at his house at 8.30 am on Wednesday, a source close to the situation said. The team rushed him to a nearby hospital since he was still alive.
The rapper died just days after announcing a partnership with African Bank. This is the rapper’s last tweet.
Celebrities pay tribute to Riky Ricky
A heartbroken fan base all over South Africa and around the world has taken to social media to express their shock and sadness at Riky Rick’s untimely passing.
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