American Rapper Fat Joe has expressed his heartache over the passing of SA Rapper Riky Rick. The Sidlukotini rapper shook the entire country when it was revealed that he took his own life almost 7 months back.
Speaking on the rapper’s tragic death, Fat Joe spoke to TshisaLive and encouraged people to speak up.
“First of all, I want to say ‘rest in peace’ to Rik [Riky Rick], you know, [with] suicide, you have to be in a really dark place to do that. It’s not talked about enough in our community and it’s really happening. And so, we have to shine a light on [mental health] and tell anybody because you never know what anybody’s going through. So if you need help, please seek help, please tell your friends, please tell your family, ‘hey, I need a life preserver’, ‘c’mon somebody come talk to me’, that’s first of all.”
One person who spoke against suicide was Julius Malema who said he would never attend a funeral of a person who killed themselves. “Artists are not being supported in South Africa and that’s a big problem, but I don’t agree with people who take their lives. I don’t even attend funerals of people who commit suicide.”
“If we are going to resort to that then our children will no longer speak to us. We just wake up in the morning, they have committed suicide. Personally, I have gone through a lot and I’ve never thought of suicide as a solution,” he said.
Julius encouraged men to speak out, “We need to encourage our people to speak. You will become a laughing stock for that time, but a solution will be found, there’s always a solution. There are no problems that can not be solved – especially men, they must learn to ask for help. You will only be assisted if you ask for help,” he concluded.
Bianca Naidoo revealed what Riky Rick last said to her. “Some days are easier than others. I manage with such an amazing support structure around me, and the kids also give me a lot of strength. The days when I’m not okay, I allow myself to be not okay.” she started off.
Bianca then spoke about how she related the news to their kids.
“I was very open from the beginning, from day one, about what happened to dad. I talk a lot with children, I listen a lot. Now they are comfortable expressing themselves and they both process in their own way. They know that if they have questions, they can come and ask and talk about it, and I think they’re both there. It’s just a matter of me being honest.” she continued.
“Last Sunday we talked for about five hours. The most beautiful conversation about everything, just life, us, the kids, how he felt… just everything. This conversation gave me a lot of peace because in this conversation any questions and doubts were expressed.
“I also spoke to Ricky early in the morning. I never thought or felt… because his last words in that conversation were, ‘I’m going home’ and ‘I love you,’”
