South African rapper, Riky Rick has died at the age of 34, his family confirmed this in an official statement on Wednesday.
South Africa hip hop legend and star real name Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado by popularly called Riky Rick has passed on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 after reportedly hanging himself in his home in Johannesburg.
Reports of his death came as rumours in the early morning of Wednesday. Much of the rumors turned believable later in the day today when one of his close allies in the music industry, Maphorisa tweeted broken heart emojis.
This, many believed meant someone could have died, and this someone is Ricky Rick according to some close sources.
His death was also confirmed by EFF president Julius Malema and one seasoned journalist, Daniel Kenosi on his Facebook page.
Ricky Rick Family: Ricky exposed himself as a family man on social media.
One would then wonder why and how he would allegedly take his life in his home where his family was.
He leaves behind his wife Bianca Naidoo and his two kids, Jordan Makhado and Malik Daniel Makhado, and five siblings.
On social media, several tributes keep pouring in for the rapper who was the founder and owner of the record label Cotton Club Records.
May God be with men who feel weak in a world that forces them to be strong.?♥️ #RickyRick #casspernyovest uncle vinny Tira #vinny pic.twitter.com/ofBdMRCKLk— The Honey with Flaws (@Kween_Vale) February 23, 2022
What Could Have Led To His Death?
It is not clear the cause of death. Serve from hints being dropped by some of Mzansi celebs on their socials, including Malema and Robert Marawa.
However, according to sources, the singer allegedly hunged himself with a rope after suffering from severe depression.
In a 2020 interview, Riky said that he suffered from “chronic depression” and found himself on a “destructive path” after the death of his father.
But Ricky Rick was a haunted man, his close allies once revealed.
The Cotton Fest founder and the manager were slowly losing his game and relevance in the music industry.
This, coupled with social media attacks on him and his wife lately could be reason enough to support unfounded claims that he committed suicide by hanging himself.
Social media came after him for allegedly abusing his wife with whom he always posted videos looking unhappy.
Top South African online news outlets report that he was found hanging in his home.
Riky Rick’s Family Reaction To His Death
The 34-year-old rapper’s passing triggered his family to release a statement on his death. The family confirmed that the news circulating is indeed true. The Makhado family have requested privacy during this period.
“Son, husband, father, brother and uncle, Riky ‘Ricky’ Makhado (34) sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning (23rd February) in Johannesburg,” the family said.
“Riky’s nurturing and developing of young musical talent is well documented and will forever be remembered,” the statement continues.
Riky Rick’s Last Words
A few hours before his death, the rapper took to his social media, a Twitter account with the handle MR MAKHADO @rikyrickworld, and posted chilling messages on his socials which many believed could be suicidal.
“I’ll return a stronger man, this land is still my home”
his 3am message read on his microblogging site.
Ricky Rick’s Career
What masses do not know is how far-reaching Ricky Rick’s career is. It is as old as Hip Hop and Kwaito are in South Africa.
He started his career at an early age, working with the likes of Brenda Fassie.
The Sama-nominated rapper rose to fame in 2015 following the release of his single Nafukwa in 2014. He released his debut studio album Family Values back in 2014 and this saw his rise to fame. The album Family Values was certified platinum by RiSA.
He would later jump on the South African contemporary hip hop sounds before releasing his all-time hit song Amantombazane.
He later started his own label Cotton Club. This is the club responsible for the launch and success of the hip-hop festival, Cotton Fest in 2019, which was set to return on 19 and 20 March, an MTV-sponsored festive that has been running for years.