The post Riky Rick’s Legacy Celebrated Four Years After His Untimely Passing appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Riky Rick’s Legacy Celebrated Four Years After His Untimely Passing. Today marks four years since the passing of South African hip-hop legend Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado on February 23, 2022.
At just 34 years old, the celebrated rapper, producer, and cultural pioneer left a lasting imprint through his music, devotion to family, and advocacy for youth wellbeing. His influence continues to spark creativity and inspire a global movement.
Following his death, Riky Rick’s family, friends, and community transformed their grief into purpose. Motivated by his belief that art and culture hold the power to heal, unite, and drive change, the Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism was launched in 2022. The Foundation carries forward his vision by promoting “artivism,” the combination of artistic expression and activism, as a force for social change, justice, and mental health awareness.
Over the past four years, the Foundation has grown into a Global Artivism movement with extraordinary impact. It has organised international gatherings that bring together artists, activists, and cultural leaders from around the world. The first convening in South Africa welcomed participants from 86 countries to discuss art’s role in building a better future.
In November 2025, the second Global Artivism Convening took place in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, attracting over 800 delegates from more than 60 nations and aligning with global climate discussions like COP30. These events have strengthened connections, amplified diverse voices, and demonstrated culture’s power to heal, resist, and inspire collective action.
The Foundation has also championed young creatives through mentorship, resources, and advocacy. Initiatives such as the mental health campaign “Words That Heal,” launched in 2025, and the innovative single “Stronger,” which brought Riky’s voice to life using AI and his archived work, have highlighted mental wellbeing, destigmatised struggles, and raised funds to support youth. These projects reflect Riky Rick’s own journey and his belief that vulnerability is a source of strength.
“Riky touched hearts, bodies, and souls because he understood that culture and the arts are an immensely powerful spark for change,” the Foundation said in its anniversary statement. “Four years later, we continue to honour his vision of love.”
As the world remembers the founder of Cotton Fest and the champion of “the Culture,” his mantra lives on: We Never Die, We Multiply. Through the Foundation, Riky Rick’s light shines on, empowering young people to embrace creativity, care for their mental health, and build a more just world.
Stay shining.
The post Riky Rick’s Legacy Celebrated Four Years After His Untimely Passing appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post Riky Rick’s Legacy Celebrated Four Years After His Untimely Passing appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Riky Rick’s Legacy Celebrated Four Years After His Untimely Passing. Today marks four years since the passing of South African hip-hop legend Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado on February 23, 2022. Riky Rick’s Legacy Celebrated Four Years After His Untimely Passing At just 34 years old, the celebrated rapper, producer, and cultural pioneer left a lasting …
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