The 23rd of February 2024 marks a second year since the untimely departure of one of South Africa’s contemporary greats Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado. An award-winning musician, fashion designer, and mastermind behind the annual Cotton Fest movement, Riky, during his 34-year stay under the sun, released a lone album, a plethora of street-splitting singles, and planted seeds that continue to live on past his death.
More than about leaving behind his own legacy, Makhado’s iconic run was about lifting others up as he himself ascended. Instead of today being a sad day, we will be celebrating five times Riky not only made his mark but also cemented his status as being the man among the people while maintaining his air as a man of the people.
Boss Zonke: “Usaban’ Usemasabhabsin’?”
Remembering the legacy of Riky would be remiss without the inclusion of his 2014 hit “Boss Zonke”. Making a brazen entry into commercial rap in the golden age of Mzansi hip-hop (ensuing circa 2014), the song defined King Kotini’s musical style comprising of out-the-blue one-liners (“Ungakhulum’ ubhontshisi” and “Usaban’ usema sabhabsin’?”), his flamboyant personality on the mic, and a knack for penning unforgettable hooks.
The impact of “Boss Zonke” outlived the song’s hype, with Riky eventually being affectionately nicknamed Boss Zonke. One of the most stunning qualities of the song was the prophecies he made on it, such as when he said: “Everything I do, they wanna do”, a line that served as a consistent theme for a man who’s career blossomed beyond his musical reach, transforming him into a kotini icon and a voice for young creators trying to make it up the ladder. In more ways than one, “Boss Zonke” wasn’t merely humble braggadocious hit but a feel-good kasi chant that could make anyone who sang along to it feel as though they were riding on the shoulders of Riky as invited passengers, not specks of unwelcome dirt to be brushed off.
“Sidlukotini”: The Rise of King Kotini
One of the rapper’s most hyped videos on YouTube, the Tweezy-helmed “Sidlukotini” reintroduced Riky’s stylistic aspect. Having collaborated with the likes of Puma, Maxhosa, and Okapi, to name a few, in his lifetime, “Sidlukotini” was more than a textbook club anthem. The song was the glorious flight of a man who knew the beauty of his wings and wanted nothing more than to flaunt it while reminding others to take care of and value their own.
In an age where Mzansi trap was still finding its local calibration and relatively de-Americanised feel, “Sidlukotini” demonstrated that the US-originated sound could be transposed to suit the average South African’s taste, successfully merging vernac rap with foreign sensibilities.
Another thing that makes the song as iconic as its street excellence was it winning Hit Single of the Year at the 2017 Metro FM Awards, where he delivered an impassioned speech criticising gatekeepers in the industry who blocked rookies from putting out music effectively. “Sidlukotini” might have been a bold fashion statement of a gentleman who understood full well that nobody could connect cotton like he did, but it wasn’t for vanity. His acknowledgement of the struggles of those behind him framed him as a man of the people, an avatar he assumed proudly until the day of his demise.
“Amantombazane (Remix)”: One of SA’s Greatest Posse Cuts
Argubly the song that set the wheels of Family Values in motion, “Amantombazane”, eleven years since its drop, remains one of Riky’s most beloved records and one of the best posse cuts in SA hip-hop history. Featuring a stellar ensemble consisting of Kwesta, Kid X, Nadia Nakai, Ginger Trill, Okmalumkoolkat, and DJ Dimplez, the second version might have done better than the original record, but it was a collective win for the culture.
Famed for its hypnotically minimalist production and zesty verses, the song carved for itself a niche next to Khuli Chana’s “Hape Le Hape Pt. 1”, Gemini Major’s “Ragga Ragga”, and DJ Speedsta’s “Mayo” – songs that showcased Mzansi’s finest acts together. Not only that, “Amantombazane (Remix)” also promoted a mindset of unity within the industry and in a game largely ruled by egoistic inclinations and individualistic ambitions, a way of thinking that Riky backed throughout his career.
“Sondela”: A Man of Family Values
Sitting pretty as one of his most sentimental, but not cloying, records is “Sondela”, a single from his only LP. Based on his relationship with his wife Bianca Naidoo, the Zano-assisted ballad sees Riky unfurl the full fabric of his love with heartfelt lyrics over free-reed aerophone-dominated production.
Known to be a family-oriented man – hence the name of the album – Riky’s vulnerability put his soul on full display, encouraging positive masculine images of emotional expression and of the family unit – subject matters which are usually shunned in the hip-hop space. While “You and I”, “Mthande”, and “Stay Shining” also displayed his family-man side, “Sondela” was an incandescent reminder that there’s nothing cooler than being a man wholly in love with his wife and committed to continue pouring into her all the affection he had to offer.
“VSOP”: The Culture Chameleon
Although not his song as a lead artist, “VSOP” was one of the many dynamites that detonated in the golden age of amapiano, building traction over the years as the genre peaked in 2021. Alongside youngsters such as Reece Madlisa & Zuma and the late Mpura, and piano mainstays JazziQ, Busta 929, and 9umba, Riky blended in. His humility and chameleon-esque musicianship not only helped him make a mark in hip-hop but in spaces of music where the youth were hands-on in making things work out. He didn’t only lead by his manifestos but by operating within the pack.
With two years having already passed, the void of Riky continues to feel like a fresh wound, a raw scar that throbs with every passing year. However, looking back at the strides he made with his music and his fashion, he won’t only be remembered as the man who’s shoes remain too big to be filled but as a selfless genius who made sure others had their own pair they could be proud of parading.
