By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
The special tribute of rapper Riky Rick got underway at Sandton Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg this morning.
Attendance to the event was capped to a limited number of people, and those who wanted to attend had to register to get access to the web tickets. The registration and tickets quickly sold out.
Click here to watch the stream live.
Black Coffee fought back tears during his speech. He said Riky’s death hit him hard and he blamed himself for his passing.
He reflected on a tweet he posted and deleted prior to Riky’s passing, and how much he blamed himself knowing that he had shown signs of vulnerability knowing that Riky may have seen his tweet.
Black Coffee said black people needed to stop “embarrassing themselves”, after Riky’s letters addressed to his family members were leaked to the media by a “black man.”
He added that on social media we continue to pull each other down more and stop uplifting ourselves.
Why was something as special and as delicate as Riky’s last words on a newspaper written by a black man?”, adding that we need to “do better.”
Cassper Nyovest went through ups and downs of their frienship, which led them not talking for eight years. But they did resolve their issues in 2020.
Because of this, fans erupted with joy when they saw him appear at Wanderers Stadium. Cassper said Riky was never afraid to tell someone the hard truth, calling him his idol.
South African rapper Riky Rick died on Wednesday, 23 February at age 34. A cause of death is not yet known.
Friends and family of the late Riky Rick gathered at his funeral at the Bryanston Catholic Church in Johannesburg on Tuesday, dressed in all white to lay the late rapper to rest after his passing last week.
Sheldon Tatchell, the founder of Legend’s Barber and close friend of Riky Rick, spoke fondly of the late star, referring to him as a brother who was loving, honest and gave valuable advice. Sheldon said it was an honour to give Riky Ricky his final haircut in preparation for his funeral.
His mother, Louisa Zondo, was brief in her tribute to her son and said while words were no longer of relevance she wanted to express her desire to thank Riky Rick and said she would continue his legacy.
She said, “I want to thank you for the opportunity to be your mother, I want to thank you for the lasting lessons I learnt from your vulnerability and I want you to now rest. I want you to now go meet with your freedom.”
Riky Rick’s wife, Bianca, delivered a touching dedication, referring to him as her partner and soulmate. She spoke of him as a loving father to their kids, a supportive partner to her, who set her soul on fire.
She said, “He often said I was saving his life without realising that he too was saving mine. My king, my heart, my forever love, thank you for giving us all that you had to give in this lifetime. Thank you for choosing me, teaching me and for believing in us.”
Born Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado on 20 July 1987, Riky Rick was a rapper, songwriter, singer, composer, entrepreneur and fashion designer.
He was known as a family man who nurtured and developed young musical talent, which is what rapper Riky Rick’s family believe he will be remembered for.