The late rapper Riky Rick's family have announced that they will be releasing a new album in his honour on April 4, 2025.Picture: Instagram/rikyrickworld/Mini Photography
Image: Instagram/rikyrickworld/Mini Photography
Three years after the passing of rapper Riky Rick (Rikhado Makhado), his family announced a new album in his honour.
Over the weekend, the family shared the album cover and tracklist of the album “Boss Zonke Forever” and revealed it would be released on April 4, the same release date as “Family Values” his debut album.
The news of the album broke on the anniversary of his date of death. The fashion icon and producer took his own life at the age of 35.
Speaking on 5FM 5 Takeover with Jodell Tantij, the rapper’s wife Bianca Naidoo shared why they felt it was important to release the album ten years later. “We sat with this for so long and I always go about feeling when is the right time to and it’s been a while.
“Riky put the album together and we just added or mixed and included features we thought were important and the last few weeks have a feeling of we ready.”
Naidoo shared that they initially planned to release the album later in the year, but April 4, being a Friday, just made sense.
The album features Lusanda, 25K, and Focalistic. K.Keed, Blue Pappei, Lowfeye, Dee Koala, Gemini Major, Cassper Nyovest, Baby S.O.N, Nia Pearl, Lucille Slade, Elaine, Zadok, Kelvin Momo and Mas Musiq.
News of the album has excited his fans, who want to hear the rapper’s last work. However, some critics have nitpicked the features, and many wonder if the rapper was alive, would the artists have made the cut?
This is not the first time Riky’s family has released his music after his death, in 2023 The Riky Rick Foundation released an AI (artificial intelligence) generated single titled “Stronger”.
The song was put together by Rick’s long-time collaborators Ganja Beatz, Audio Militia, and lyricist Lebo Machudi. Using new AI technology, the creators used Rick’s own words taken from his social media posts and other phrases he’s known for to create the new music.
Last year, his family paid tribute to the iconic award-winning rapper’s life and legacy with the release of his posthumous single, “Ilanga”. The amapiano song features vocal contributions from Young Stunna and Baby S.O.N, with some of the best local producers including, Tyler ICU, Mas Musiq, Kelvin Momo, and Zadōk.
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