It is such a hard pill to swallow; that Riky Rick is really gone at only age 34; but his memory will live on in his legacy; his children and his music.
It is just as difficult to believe that Riky never really dropped an album; but opted to drop an EP in 2017 called “Stay Shining;” the video to this song includes his wife and children.
He was a family man through and through; his family; only have to sit down and watch that video to remember how much he loved them. Well done Riky MaRicardo; Boss Zonke.
The EP included various hits; but the most notable song in there is; “Stay Shining;” featuring the likes of; Cassper Nyovest; Professor; Major League and Alie Keyz.
But before the EP was ever known; he solidified his name in the music industry very early in the game; when he collaborated with OkMalumeKoolKat; and dropped the smash hit “Amantombazana.” His first known song.
The rapper’s successful song; which quickly put South African hip hop on the map; was later remixed and featured in several Mzansi acts.
Riky MaRicardo; King Kotini; lived up to his monikers; by his swag; his drip which consisted of expensive fashion brands. He was quick to call out those who wore fakes in one of his songs.
No one can ignore his 2015 hit “Boss Zonke;” he shut down the streets with the chorus to the song: “Boss zonke akanandaba; unehaba KwaMashu naseMlazi Umswenko bayamazi…” (Boss of everything; doesn’t care; he exaggerates; KwaMashu and in Umlazi they know him; for his swag and drip).
His reference to these Durban townships; showcased him as a Kasi (township) boy from KwaMashu. He never forgot his roots too; calling himself MoVenda wakwaZulu.
Though he was raised by his grandmother in KwaMashu; he knew his bakground was in Venda where his father came from; hence the death of his father added a lot to his depression.
The hit song; “Boss Zonke” was followed by the 2016; cultural anthem; “Sidlukhotini;” making his name known as a rapper of note in local hip hop.
The sond is all about clothes; he was one of the young township boys; who pay attention into how they dress; from the brand; to the expensive cost attached to it; just for swag.
When he was not dropping any music; he still remained relevant by featuring in other artists music; his trademark vocals on Major League DJz track “Zulu Girls;” brought the heat to the song.
Who can forget; his verse on Big Zulu’s smash hit; “Imali Eningi;” he appeared from nowhere on that viral song and showcased how versatile he was.
In 2020; he released; an amapiano banger “Ungazincishi;”in collaboration with Tyler ICU and Focalistic. Based on it being his most played song on Spotify; we can assume that; it is his best song; but it’s hard to pick one from his hits because they all are capturing.