Tshego opens up about how Riky Rick saved him from drugs

South African-American rapper Tshego. Picture: Instagram.

South African-American rapper Tshego. Picture: Instagram.

Published Jul 22, 2024

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South African-American rapper Tshego recently opened up about how a phone call from Riky Rick saved his life.

Taking to Instagram, Tshego shared a video clip of the “Stay Shinning” hitmaker interviewing him during Cotton Fest.

In the clip, the award-winning rapper praised Tshego for his rise in the entertainment industry.

“It was really beautiful, and the classy way that you did it. You didn’t try rub it in anyone’s face that you this amazing talent, amazing rapper, amazing singer, amazing producer; you didn’t do it in anyone’s face,” Rick said.

Rick’s death left the music industry reeling. He committed suicide on February 23, 2022. The rapper would have turn 37 on July 20.

In the caption, Tshego wrote that the clip was shared with him by Rick’s wife, Bianca Naidoo, and it triggered a memory.

“Aunty B just sent me this clip and God knows I needed it today.

“I’ll never forget the day Riky called me, I was probably on drugs 3 days straight, and he had no idea I even did drugs.

“Well, I personally never told him. I said ‘hello’, he said ‘JUST LET US KNOW IF WE SHOULD GIVE UP ON YOU BOIZEN’. That was the last day I touched hard drugs. I only told him that story years later,” he wrote.

Tshego said Rick’s words reminded him of why he had started his musical journey.

“Him saying those simple words reminded me that I started this for ME, and the only person I’d be disappointing is ME. When there are no accolades I don’t cry, I do this for me. When there are no gigs I don’t cry, I do this for me.

“When there’s no money I don’t cry, I still do this shit for me. I would die for this… ME.”

He said he wanted to remind himself and others that “you are valued”.