Rapper Riky Rick has died at the age of 34, rumoured to have committed suicide

Fans of Hip-Hop musician and producer, Riky Rick - whose real name is Rikhado Makhado - have been left reeling from shock after news about his passing broke. Speaking to TRUELOVE, a DJ who has worked with the musician confirmed that the musician had taken his own life and had been battling with his mental health.

“He suffered from depression for a while before deciding to take his own life. He was found hanging by friends,” the DJ told TRUELOVE. Another source who is in the music industry also confirmed the news and revealed that Riky Rick had taken his own life on Wednesday morning. “He hanged himself this morning and was found by friends in his house,” the source added. A few hours before the news broke, the 34-year-old had posted a cryptic tweet where he wrote: “I’ll return a stronger man. This land is still my home.”

The rapper, who was also known as a fashionista, was according to another friend going through the most behind closed doors, even though he had things lined up for him this year. "On social media he seemed happy, but he was dying inside until his breaking point, which saw him do the unthinkable. We are still shocked and too emotional to talk right now," says the friend. "A suicide note was found net to him before being rushed to hospital". When TRUELOVE reached out to one of the people who worked with him, he said he was unable to talk and instead burst into tears.

Riky Rick was loved for his music, fashion sense and for being a festival founder. He first rose to fame with his debut single Barbershop, which features Da L.E.S in 2013. Two years later, he released his official studio album Family Values, which featured a number of hit songs which include Boss Zonke, Sondela, Nafukwa and Amantombazane. Recently, he had also jumped onto the Amapiano wave and featured in songs such as VSOP by Mr JazziQ and Busta 929. The self-proclaimed King of uKotini was also the founder and owner of Cotton Club Records as well of the popular Hip-Hop festival, Cotton Fest which was set to take place over two days in March 2022. Riky had also acquired his own Legends Barbershop salons at the Waterfall corner and in Menlyn, Pretoria. He leaves behind his wife, Bianca Naidoo, and their two children.