Riky Rick is considered to be one of the most influential artists in Africa and he is regarded as one of the most business-minded artists in the history of South African Hip-Hop. Fusing his different sounds to produce a final product it has made him a giant in the industry.
As a fashion lover, Ricky Rick started an event, Cotton Festival which happens annually. He is a brand ambassador of many elite brands and he continues to work his way up the ladder of being recognised globally.
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Riky Rick Age
The rapper was born 27th of July in 1987. He is 32-years-old.
Riky Rick Family
Riky Rick was named Rikhado Ribeca Makhado at birth. He was born in KwaMashu township which is located in the north of Durban. Growing up, Riky Rick was raised mainly by his grandmother because his parents divorced while he was still young.
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He eventually moved to Johannesburg after finishing his primary and secondary school. He stayed with his father in Johannesburg as he furthered his studies. The musician's mother was travelling between America and South Africa in pursuit of her Law Degree.
Riky Rick Education
Ricky Rick attended both his primary and secondary school in KwaMashu. After finishing his boarding school education, Ricky enrolled at Hilton College. The musician eventually enrolled at the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA) where he studied media and majored in Film Production.
The rapper is a family man and has shown it through his family values, his debut album which has his son, Malik as the album cover. He shared this in his interview with 702,
“I would never want my kids just to grow up in beautiful circumstances all the time, I also want them to go through a little bit of pain. This year we've actually decided that the kids get less but they're such good kids that they're not spoiled or demanding in any way."
Riky wants to instill the correct principles of life and have them prepared to tackle anything that life throws them.
Riky started his career at a young age where he worked on nurturing his prowess for musical instruments and on his raps as a lyricist. When he started music, Riky used to work and record with Bongani Fassie. Through Bongani, Riky started to develop his own desired sounds.
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Riky first started with the single, Barbershop featuring Da L.E.S - a South African rapper. The musician rose to fame after he released his hit single, Nafukwa in 2014. Following the success of his single, Riky then released Amantombazane which became a game-changer in the industry.
Riky Rick then released his debut album in 2014, Family Values. The album cover was focused on his upbringing and a house where he grew up, in KwaMashu.
He released the Amantombazane (Remix) shortly after the original song. He featured South Africa's Hip Hop giants, OkMalumkoolKat, Maggz, Kwesta, Ginger Bread Man, Kid X, Nadia Nakai and DJ Dimplez. At this moment, Riky Rick had cemented his spot in the industry.
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Finding comfort in his sound, Riky went on and released Boss Zonke which dominated the South African music charts for over 12 weeks on leading radio stations, peaked at number 3 on the SA Hip Hop Top Ten List.
Riky continued making music which accommodated lovers of trap music and Hip-Hop. He released his Sondela single, which was his fifth single since his debut. The song was dedicated to his real love, featuring South African singer, Zano.
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Through his understanding of the industry, Riky has always believed in nurturing talents and working with artists who aligned with his music. He released Sidlukotini in 2016. The song was making a fashion statement as Riky is well-known for his sense of fashion and international collaborations with brands.
In his interview with Tshisa Live, Ricky explained his work ethic and believes in sharing whenever there is an opportunity, "I don’t need too much of the spotlight in this stage in my life... I want others to win, I just want everyone to win." he said
Cementing the new sound in South African Hip-Hop, Riky Rick released his Extended Play (EP), Scooby Snacks. As a growing brand, Ricky decided to make his EP limited for features and only feature Frank Casino on his song, Family. The extended play has the hit songs, Oh Lord, Bandz Over Fans and Family.
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Ricky released another extended play in 2017, Stay Shinning which was released under his record label. Cotton Club Records and it was formally distributed by Sony Music Entertainment Africa. The EP featured the song "Stay Shining" featuring Cassper Nyovest, Professor, Major League Djz and producer Alie Keys. The follow-up single from the EP, "Murdah", features Davido and Gemini Major
Riky Rick Business
Riky owns a record label, Cotton Club Studios which is aimed at growing artists in South Africa. Through his understanding of different instruments and going into the trap genre, Riky Rick works hard to find different artists who are worth the take and have them join the record label.
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Following that success and his style, Riky Rick started a barber business, Legends Barber. It is a popular classy barber that is mobile and South African celebrities are fans of the barber. The barbershop is based in Waterfall, Midrand.
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Through his sense of fashion and love for music, Ricky started his legacy of Cotton Fest in 2018. Cotton Fest is a festival which is aimed at bringing different influencers, celebrities, musicians, and other creatives - he brings everyone into one place and has a broadened lineup which includes upcoming artists and veterans in the industry.
Cotton Fest is an annual festival which looks at nurturing creatives and fashion designers - as Riky himself is high in the fashion hierarchy in South Africa.
Riky Rick isn't only a musical brand, but he has explored other possibilities in the entertainment industry. He is one of the artists who have the highest number of brand endorsements in the industry. He works in securing the bag and getting more money through contributing his influence towards different brands.
Riky Rick announced on his Instagram that he was officially a brand ambassador for Remy Martin.
Remy Martin is a brand of cognac established in French founded in 1724 and produces different flavours across the world. This made Riky get in the history books of South Africa to be endorsed by the French company, Remy Martin.
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Ricky had an interview on 702 after signing the deal and he explained, “I have two lives. I’ve got the life of this hip hop character… there’s one side of me that’s a massive consumer… My worst consumption habit stems from fashion… it’s the fastest way to burn money.”
As he grew in the business, more brands wanted to partner with the musician for his influence in South Africa, Africa and throughout the world. In 2017, the musician signed a deal with Vaseline.
Ricky Rick Controversy
Riky Rick was caught up in a controversy due to his lyrics which insinuated that people were paying for or buying awards. As he scooped the Best Hit Single award, the rapper used the opportunity to voice out his concerns. It was rumoured that his banter was directed to Mabala Noise.
Following the controversy, Ricky had an interview with Trending SA,
"I've got a habit of speaking, sometimes at the wrong time. Like saying the right thing at the wrong time. So, obviously there was a backlash, a lot of it, you know. But that's something you've got to deal with. I've got friends at that specific station and I felt like I disrespected the relationship that I had with those friends and those people that supported me throughout my career."
Riky has been in the dark phase of alcohol and drug abuse, but he made progress and he is clean for over two years.
Riky Rick Net Worth
Ricky is estimated to be worth over R30 million this is through his Cotton Fest Annual Concert, Rolex endorsements, Remy Martin, Nike and many more brands that he has worked with.
