South African rapper Riky Rick dies

Award-winning rapper, Rikhado Makhado, known professionally as Riky Rick, died Wednesday morning. The family have released a statement confirming the untimely death of the South African songwriter, producer, fashion designer and businessman.

Although no source is on record or confirms the nature of his death, at least four people have confirmed the death.

He leaves behind his wife, two children, mother and five siblings. The Makhado family asked for privacy during the difficult time. Details of the funeral and memorial will be confirmed in due course.

Born on July 20, 1987, he grew up in KwaMashu township near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

The rapper was nominated for the SAMA (South Africa Music Awards) became famous after the release of his single Nafukwa in 2014. His first studio album Family Values was certified platinum by RiSA.

He founded hip-hop festival Cotton Fest in 2019, which was due to return on March 19-20.

Riky married his wife Bianca Naidoo in 2014. He has two children.

In interview in 2020, Riky said he suffered from "chronic depression" and found himself on a "destructive path" following his father's death.