As tributes continue to pour in for Hip Hop legend, Riky Rick, we thought we’d take a moment to reflect on why we respect and admire the fallen icon.
The moving tributes largely speak to the impact he made in the spaces he occupied.
He was a family man
‘Riky’ made it fashionable for black men to display affection. He loved his family loudly, and just days before the news of his passing broke; he posted a video of himself and his wife, Bianca dancing to his hit song, Sondela.
Here ‘Riky’ can be seen embracing his wife whom he shares two children. In true Valentine’s spirit, the couple had us in our feels.
His fashion sense
Dubbed the “King of Kotini” (the cotton king), loosely translated as a ‘fashion king’, he was considered a fashion icon. His fashion sense captured the attention of local and global brands, and he has graced the covers of both GQ and GQ Style.
His association with local brands brought the music and fashion spaces closer together, solidifying Africa’s position as the hub of fashion and entertainment.
He was inspirational
He moved with with intention and would often drop some nuggets to get the masses thinking? In one video, he encourages people to be kind to each other.
Riky Rick talking about depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts… #RIPRikyRick #RickyRick #rikyrick 🙏![CDATA[]]>🏾![CDATA[]]>💔![CDATA[]]>🕊pic.twitter.com/L692VIcxyB
— TwittaNerd™ 👨![CDATA[]]>🏾💻 (@LindoMyeni) February 23, 2022
We’ve witnessed his evolution over the years, and his longevity in the game speaks to his passion, consistency and ability to move with the times while remaining authentically true to himself.
He made an impact
The icon is known for creating opportunities for up-and-coming talent, and he was unapologetic about his approach to opening up the industry.
The list of artists he has endorsed includes The Big Hash, J Molley and Frank Casino. He also launched the annual ‘Cotton Fest’ in 2019; a platform for artists to showcase their musical skills.
The theme for this year’s highly anticipated festival is “University and Campus” set to take place next month. It is unclear at this stage if the event will take place considering that the star is no more.
He made us dance
Also known as “Boss Zonke” which is the title of a hit song he wrote and produced in 2015 featured on his album Family Values. The track became an instant hit, earning him numerous award nominations.
If you’ve been following his career, you’ll know that he’s been a consistent king. Most recently featured on Big Zulu’s festive banger, Imali Eningi which we all loved.
As we continue to reflect on his contribution to the industy, it’s becoming more apparent that he has left a void in the Hip Hop community, and the world at large.
Rest Easy King, you will be sorely missed.
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