Rapper Stilo Magolide has opened up about the tragic death of his close friend and fellow artist, Riky Rick, stating that while the event was devastating, it did not entirely surprise him.
During a discussion on The 3rd Element of Hip Hop Podcast with DJ Lemonka, Stilo discussed the passing of the “Boss Zonke” hitmaker, whose real name was Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado. Riky Rick took his own life on February 23, 2022.
An Expected Tragedy
Stilo, a founding member of the influential Boyz n Bucks collective alongside Riky Rick, shared his belief that Riky had always lived life on his own terms, which contributed to his intuition about the rapper’s eventual fate.
“I did believe it. I wasn’t shocked,” Stilo commented. “I was more like, ‘Oh snap. I didn’t expect it to come this soon, but I always expected it.’ Just the type of person he was, you know? He was always someone who wanted to live life on his own terms. Everything he did was his way.”
Emotional Scar and Disappointment
While the news was not a complete surprise, Stilo acknowledged the deep emotional impact of the loss. He expressed disappointment that those close to Riky Rick at the time could not offer enough support to prevent the tragedy.
“I was just more disappointed that maybe the people around him at the time didn’t have the strength to hold him much longer or convince him that we still had more time,” he added. “There’s things to do, you know?”
A short clip of the interview generated significant online discussion, with some social media users commending Stilo’s honesty and vulnerability, while others speculated about his knowledge regarding the circumstances of Riky Rick’s final days.
Riky Rick remains one of the most respected and influential figures in the history of South African hip hop
