“We Never Die. We Multiply”: The Eternal Life of Riky Rick’s Legacy
The cultural and musical impact late rapper Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado had on the South African landscape during his days among the living was undeniable. It still is, even though he’s no more. A selfless grootman in the game, Makhado’s legacy grants credence to his significance as a hustler, and his death promoted him to a seat of ancestorship among the Prokids and HHPs.
“We Never Die. We Multiply”: The Return of Riky Rick’s Spirit in Song Form
“I’ll return a stronger man. This land is still my home,” said Riky in what would be his last-ever tweet on the 23rd of February 2022 before his death.
His untimely passing left a niche only he’d been able to occupy. Being a hub that connected young and old industry artists while opening doors for those on the come-up, he helped funnel new blood into the system while preserving the work done by the OGs and himself. His presence ensured the growth of the culture.
No surprise then that Riky’s family would go on to start the Riky Rick Foundation, an organisation founded on the blueprint of lifting the youngins – a principle the “Stay Shining” star stood by till his spirit parted with his flesh. Supporting “artivism”, the foundation seeks to replicate what Rikhado stood for – helping young people with their art-related pursuits and breaking into the music and culture scene of Mzansi.
The first step the foundation took in protecting the legacy of its namesake was staging a return of Riky in his base form: the musical aspect of Boss Zonke. Thus the song “Stronger” was born, a surrogate child that is the product of all the hip-hop icon’s best parts.
Constructed from fragments of quotables and gems dropped by him during his lifetime and glued together with AI technology, “Stronger” is preaching back-engineered from all the practices Makhado lived by. It is an heirloom that embodies King Kotini: the free spirit that wanted to see everyone win and reap the benefits of healthy connections.
“Stronger” isn’t just the fulfilment of Riky’s prophecy to return via Twitter but a fruit of it. And much like any fruit, it needs a mature tree with spreading branches to grow from – a tree to eat from and take shelter under. That is something the “Nafukwa” lyricist was beyond his musical exploits, more specifically, what he was as the mastermind behind Cotton Fest.
“When I’m Gone, My Legacy Lives On”: Living On Through the Cotton Fest
“I’m really keen on taking it to my hometown in Durban. I’m really keen on taking it to Cape Town. Taking it to places like my original city, Makhado City [present-day Louis Trichardt]. I wanna take it all around the country, but to do that, you really have to have a lot of support. And with the support we have now, we’re only able to take it step by step,” he said on the morning segment of SABC News, detailing the launch of the first Cotton Fest in 2019, which took place in Johannesburg.
With Cotton Fest 2023 set to make its maiden swing in 031, it’s poetic justice. Not only is the festival going stronger, one of Rikhado’s wishes will be honoured, with the show taking place in his city of birth.
This year’s line-up includes big-time names of young musicians, including Tyler ICU, Uncle Vinny, Elaine, Pabi Cooper, Emtee, and Blxckie, among others. True to Riky’s mandate, the constellation of stars isn’t solely comprised of well-known names but also acts yet to break into mainstream music, such as Celestial Mic, Tony Da Great, and Asvnte, to name a couple.
Although the skeleton of Cotton Fest comprises musical and aesthetic expression, the fraternal spirit Riky breathed into the spectacle is what transformed it from a mere gathering of celebrities to a community of young people united in musical and fashion excellence. Rather than making himself the centre, by inviting every act – emerging and established – to partake, Cotton Fest found its place between Durban July and Rocking the Daisies, fusing fashion and music that the youth could feed into and power with their energies.
It is not solely the existence of the festival which proves right the totemic mantra: “We never die. We multiply.” It is the continued support. With over 60 local artists ready for this year’s edition, the steady elevation of the festival bears testimony to the authentic connections Riky strived to build and the transcendent respect his peers and those coming up have for the blood and sweat he invested.
Rikhado’s initial vision to have Cotton Fest being more about the people and for the people is the legacy that will power the lights and every soul set to perform and attend on July 2, 2023.
“I’ll Return A Stronger Man”: A Man of Love and Unity
“Have faith. Take care of your friends. Take care of your homies. Make sure you support the young people coming up in the game,” said Riky in King Oumar’s interview, one of the final interviews in his lifetime.
At the core of what made Riky tick was that in him was a heart that beat for others, a soul that didn’t put egoistical interests and ambitions above those of the collective. From being a loving husband and a doting father of two to being the big brother of the culture, Makhado was a man with a consistent purpose – that purpose was to live a life of love and servitude.
“I don’t care how people remember me. As long as I’ve left something people can build on,” he once said.
Even though he left at the peak of his powers, his was a full life of energy well spent and love expressed in truth. Whether it was as the visionary behind Cotton Fest or as the swagger-drenched rapper of “Sidlukotini”, his bequest is one that will never be forgotten.
