Riky Rick, born Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado, was a South African rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, composer, actor, entrepreneur, and fashion designer. He was a member of Boyz N Bucks and the founder and owner of Cotton Club Records.
He rose to fame after releasing his hit single titled “Nafukwa”. Nafukwa was released at the time he released “Barbershop”. His prominence increased after the release of his debut album titled “Family Values: in 2015.
Riky Rick was one of the best South African rappers and was at the top of his music career before his death on 23rd February 2022. The album was a massive hit in South Africa and it received a lot of attention from fans and the media.
Despite having a great career, Riky Rick lived a rough life. His death came as a shock to his friends, fans, and followers. Also, there are lots of stories surrounding his death. The late South African rapper is one of the most popular rappers in Africa.
In this article, we will discuss Riky Rick’s net worth and how much he had before he died. We will also provide detailed information on his biography, education, age, wife & children, achievement, songs, career, sources of income, cars, and cause of death.
Riky Rick Profile
| Full Name | Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado |
| Nickname/Stage Name | Riky Rick |
| Other Names | Boss Zonke, Master Makhado, Minister of Energy, and King Kotini |
| Date of Birth | 20th July 1987 |
| Alma mater | Hilton College |
| Place of Birth | KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Residence | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Bianca Naidoo (m. 2013) |
| Children | 2 |
| Status | Deceased |
| Height | 5ft 9in (176 cm) |
| Occupation | Music, Fashion, Entertainment |
| Age at Death | 34 years |
| Place of Death | Alma mater: Hilton College |
| Cause of Death | Suicide |
| Genres | Hip-Hop, Trap, Rap |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Associated Labels | Makhado Makhado Agency, Cotton Club Records, Formerly (Soulstic Music & Mabala Noise Entertainment |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Gender | Male |
| Net worth | $3.6 million |
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| Website | www.rikyrickworld.com |
Riky Rick Biography
Riky Rick was born on the 20th of July 1987 in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. His birth name is Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado, but he is popularly known by his stage name, ‘Riky Rick’. Rick’s parents got divorced when he was yet a kid; thus, he was raised by his maternal grandmother. He spent a better part of his childhood years in KwaMashu township near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
Being born in South Africa grants him the rights and privileges of a South African. Riky had seven siblings; four from his mother and three from his father. He had his elementary (primary) and high school education at Hilton College before moving to the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA), where he studied film production.
Career
At AFDA, Riky mastered musical skills and learned vocals. The school gave him the platform to perform before a live audience, and it prepared the journey for him to venture into music as a career. Right from his days at high school, Riky Rick had a special interest in music. He performed and made music with Bongani Fassie, who was his mentor. Bongani Fassie helped groom him, and not long after, Riky began to create his own sounds.
His music career began with a single, ‘Barbershop’, which featured Da L.E.S, a South African rapper. He got thrust into the limelight with the release of Nafukwa. Nafukwa was a big success, and the song gave him the big push he needed as an upcoming music artist. Consequently, he released another single dubbed ‘Amantombazane’ and also released the remix for the song featuring fellow South African recording artists Kwesta, Nadia Nakai, Kid X, OkMalumkoolKat, Maggz, Ginger Bread Man, and DJ Dimplez.
On April 3, 2015, Riky Rick delivered his first music album, ‘Family Values’. The album was a huge success, and it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). The album sold at least 80,000 units and received positive reviews from music critics and listeners. In April 2016, he released another hit song, Sondela featuring South African vocalist Zano. The song is said to be dedicated to the love of his life. Pearl Thusi was featured in the Sondela music video.
On 26th June 2016, he came up with another single, “Sidlukotini”. In October 2016, he dropped Boss Zonke, a song that peaked at number 3 on the South African Hip Hop Top Ten List.
Riky Rick happens to be a good actor as well. Some noteworthy projects in his filmography include movies like Stay Shining, Scooby Snacks, and fear The Hunter (With Trinity). On the music side of things, he has a good understanding of the music business, and he keeps dropping good songs and collaborating with artists that meet up to his standard of music. In 2016, he delivered ‘Sidlukotini’.
In 2017, he released his debut EP, ‘ Scooby Snacks’, featuring Frank Casino. The Extended Play (E.P) contains hit songs such as Family, Oh Lord, and Bandz Over Fans. In September 2017, he released his second EP titled ‘Stay Shining’, delivered under his record company. His second EP highlights collaborations with Davido and Gemini Major. His record company, Cotton Club Records, struck a partnership deal with Sony Music Entertainment Africa.
Following his success in music, Riky Rick started a hairdresser outfit, Legends Barber. The business is situated in Waterfall, Midrand, a famous barbershop for celebrities, entertainers, and superstars in South Africa. This barbershop is popular among the old and young and is said to have a presence in Botswana. For Riky Rick, music is not just a means to accumulate riches and wealth. He used his talent to contribute to society and founded the Cotton Club Records in February 2018.
Through Cotton Club, Riky has been able to discover various talents and have them make a name for themselves in their respective fields. The label was founded in partnership with a fashion retailer, RHTC, to identify, groom and develop artists in South Africa.
His love and passion for music geared him toward starting the Cotton Fest, a music festival that combines his interest in music and fashion. Cotton Fest is a yearly festival that brings craftsmen, artists, superstars, and other creatives in one spot. Cotton Fest has been growing since its launch and generating good revenue for Riky Rick’s brand.
As a successful and famous celebrity, many brands and media outlets were interested in partnering with Riky Rick. One of his endorsement deals is with the cognac brand, Remy Martin. On April 12, 2017, he announced a deal with Vaseline. He has also worked with African Bank, Vodka’s Russian Bear, Cognac, Nike, and Rolex. These deals are believed to have boosted his financial status and net worth.
Before his death, Riky was believed to have become sober after having a difficult period battling alcohol and drug addiction in his youth.
Riky Rick Songs
Here are some of the popular and best Riky Rick songs of all time:
- Nafukwa.
- You and I ft. Mlindo The Vocalist.
- Sidlukotini.
- Fuseg.
- Ungazincishi ft. Focalistic, Tyler ICU.
- Sondela.
- Stay Shining ft. Cassper Nyovest, Professor, Major League, and Alie-Keyz.
- Amantombazane.
- Boss Zonke.
- Thug life.
- Come Alive.
- Makaveli.
- Papa Song.
- 94/It’s Getting Worse.
- Wonder Years.
- A Time to Love.
- Till I Die.
- Love We Had.
- Bambalela.
- Gone, Pt. 3.
- Shining.
- Summertime Love.
- As Karma would have it.
- #Mrwelldone.
- Intro.
- Spare A Little Love – Single.
- Sunday Interlude.
- Vapors.
- Sunday Interlude.
Riky Rick Albums, EPs and Mixtapes
- “Comeback Kid” mixtape (released in 2011).
- Family Values (released in 2015).
- NTOMBI Respect The Drumboss 2015.
- “Scooby Snacks” EP (released on 25 May 2017).
- “Stay Shining” EP (released on 2 November 2017).
- “Fear The Hunter” mixtape (released in 2018).
- Reason Injayam, Vol. 1.
- Khuli Chana From Giyani With Love.
- Professor Stay Shining – EP.
Riky Rick’s Awards and Nominations
Riky was nominated twice for the 2015 Channel O awards. He received one nomination in the 2014 South African Music Awards. In 2014, he was nominated four times at the South Africa Hip Hop Awards. In 2016, he was nominated for the MTV Africa Music Awards in the Best Hip Hop category.
Riky was also nominated in the 2020 KZN Entertainment Awards in the ‘Best Male Award’ and ‘Best Collaboration’, respectively. In 2021, he was nominated for the South African Hip Hop Awards, where he won the MVP/Hustler of the Year award.
Riky Rick Cars
Riky Rick has an enviable garage and car collection. Being one of the wealthiest rappers in South Africa, he made a lot of money from music, endorsement, and personal investment.
Apart from fashion, Riky Riky is a big lover of automobiles. Following his successful career, the rapper has acquired cars such as a Ferrari, Mercedes Benz G Wagon, and Mercedes AMG G-Class, to mention a few.
A lot of people are wondering to know how much their cars are worth. Besides the three cars mentioned above, Riky also owns a black Porsche, which he reportedly bought for R1.5 million ($97,600).
His black Porshe car has darkened wheels and the Cotton fest logo imprinted on it. It is believed that Riky Rick’s cars are collectively worth over $350,000.
In December 2015, Riky splashed a lot of cash to acquire his dream house, where he lived with his wife and children. His friend and colleague, Cassper Nyovest broke the news on social media while celebrating the rapper’s new acquisition. The actual cost of the house remains undisclosed.
However, from what we know, the house is situated in Waterfall. The actual worth of his house is not yet known, but it is believed to be an expensive mansion.
Before his death, Riky was yet to show his fans a detailed tour of his house but based on the photos and videos we found online, we can tell it is a luxurious property.
Riky Rick Height and Weight
Coming to his physical measurement, information about Riky Rick’s height and weight is not available at the moment.
Riky Rick Personal Life (Wife and Children)
Riky Rick is in a relationship with his longtime girlfriend, Bianca Naidoo, and in 2013, they exchanged marital vows at a private wedding somewhere in South Africa. Riky Rick and his wife, Bianca, have been together for almost nine years, and the union is blessed with two children.
Bianca Naido is a stylish and beautiful lady. She is in love with Riky Rick, and the couple has never been tired of expressing their love, admiration, and affection for each other on social media. Together, they have a son named Maik Daniel Makhado and a daughter named Jordan Makhado.
Is Uncle Vinny Riky Rick’s Son?
No, Uncle Vinny is not Riky’s son. Riky Rick is survived by two children – a son and a daughter. The name of his son is Maik Daniel Makhado.
Riky Rick Controversial Dressing
Being a fashionista, Riky is passionate and ‘crazy’ about fashion. He has experimented with and exhibited several clothing styles. In 2018, he made a TV appearance on Live Amp, where he was spotted wearing a skirt. This didn’t go down well with his fans; some fans tweeted, “From Boss Zonke to Sis Zonke”.
Is Riky Rick a Venda?
Mr. Makhado was born in KwaMashu to a Venda father and a mother who belonged to the Zulu tribe. Going by way of his father, Riky Rick is a Venda. However, Riky is proud of his biculturalism.
Which high school did Riky Rick attend?
Makhado had his primary and high school education somewhere in KwaMashu. There are no credible and reliable records of the schools where he had his early education.
After his early education, he proceeded to Hilton College and then enrolled at the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performances, where he pursued Media and majored in Film Production.
Which record label is RIky Rick signed to?
Riky was affiliated with Makhado Makhado Agency and the South African Recordings.
Did Gucci sponsor Riky Rick?
In 2017, Rick Rick was invited to Italy for the Gucci Fall Winter 2017 fashion show.
Riky Rick’s Cause of Death
Wednesday, 23rd of February, 2022, will forever be a woeful day for those in the South African entertainment and music industry. This is because this is the day Riky Rick died. Riky Rick committed suicide after battling mental illness.
The death rumors went viral in the early hours of 23rd February 2020 after being pronounced dead by his family. The cause of his death was traced to mental instability after making several depressing posts on his social media pages. The family also asked for privacy and went through a difficult grieving period.
Before Makhado’s death, he posted a video of him and his wife, Bianca, having an intimate dance on Valentine’s day. The video didn’t go down well with the public, and the rapper was bashed by social media users.
Many claimed that Bianca looked sad in the video, but later, Riky clarified why Bianca looked unhappy. According to him, his wife is camera-shy; that is, she doesn’t like to be on camera.
Depression
In September 2020, Riky Rick revealed in an interview that he suffered from chronic depression. His ill mental health led him through a destructive path. In his podcast, LAB LIVE, Riky revealed how his father died when he was 18 years, and his father’s demise thrust him into a “dark place”. He went on to say that no one should live life without a parent.
His troubled mental state affected his music career. He would often clap back and lash out at celebrities and other people in the music industry. Riky Rick is no stranger to social media trolls. He was trolled even a week before his death.
On 23rd February 2022 at 04h20, Riky Rick posted an anxious tweet on his Twitter account. A few hours later, his friends found him hanging in his house.
Riky Rick Net Worth
The late South African rapper was reportedly worth R56 million at his death. Riky Rick made his fortune from brand endorsement deals, album sales, streaming royalties, live performances, record sales, and fashion.
He owns a clothing line, and a barbershop and is the convener of Cotton Fest, an event that combines fashion and music. He was the owner of Cotton Club Records and Makhado Makhado Agency.
Riky Rick was a talented and creative music artist. His death shocked many, and he will surely be missed by family, friends, colleagues, and fans. Rest in Peace, Mr. Makhado.