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Riky Rick takes his life hours after making a cryptic tweet.
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Riky Rick dies9 just hours after sending a mysterious tweet.
Rapper Riky Rick, whose real name was Rikhado Makhado, dies hours after making a cryptic tweet. He was 34 years old at the time.
The rapper’s family confirmed his death early Wednesday morning. They requested privacy and prayers in a statement to TshisaLIVE.
“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.”
Riky Rick shot to national popularity in 2015 with his platinum-certified Family Values, after establishing a reputation for himself and expressing his influence in South African hip-hop culture for several years behind the scenes.
He gave the globe hit songs such as Amantombazane, Boss Zonke, and Sidlukotini.
Because of his style and passion for fine clothing and culture, the rapper’s name has become synonymous with fashion. He became a symbol for all the cool kids, as well as a beacon for up-and-coming musicians whom he openly supported.
Aside from his musical legacy, one of his greatest accomplishments was the founding of the Cotton Festival, which was set to return in 2022 after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic
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In 2020, the rapper opened up about his struggle with depression after his father died.
The star, who took a break from live performances a few years ago to deal with depression, told listeners of his podcast series LAB LIVE that he suffered from “chronic depression” and was on a “destructive path” after losing his dad.
“I lost my father at a time when I needed the 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.”
Riky Rick is survived by his wife Bianca Naidoo and two children.
Fans flocked to his social media hoping the news of his death was fake.
They responded to his last tweet, which reads: “I’ll return a stronger man. This land is still my home.”
Comments accumulated at speed as people hoped these were not his last words.
Heartbroken fans all over Mzansi, have taken to their TLs to express their shock and sadness at the rapper’s untimely passing.
I’ll return a stronger man. This land is still my home.
— MR MAKHADO (@rikyrickworld) February 23, 2022