Few people epitomised the idea of “doing it for the culture” more than Riky Rick. With honest expressions of familial love and sleek, high-end production, the producer, composer, rapper, actor and fashion icon Riky Rick (Rikhado Makhado) dedicated himself to authentic South African rap. Always energetic, he joyously waxed lyrical over kwaito house beats on "Murdah", shifed into full swagger mode over the thundering clapback of "Boss Zonke", and shined bright amidst a cipher full of peers on "Amantombanze (Remix)". Whether paying tribute to American rapper Tupac Shakur over the scintillating keyboards of “Makaveli", or infusing South Africa’s classic kwaito sound with fresh energy on “Stay Shining”, Riky Rick delivered nothing less than full-throttle passion. Alongside his own art, he consistently generated new opportunities for creatives of all kinds, whether it was through considered partnerships with fashion and lifestyle brands, or mentoring young talent through Cottonfest, the music festival-cum-cultural phenomenon he founded and curated that fuses hip-hop, street culture, fashion and art. An ardent champion for the next generation, and a fierce proponent of South African culture, Riky Rick died 23 February 2022, at age 34.