Love and Marriage: Deciphering Riky Rick’s Forgotten Cinematic Album

I am astounded by the contrast between the temporary and the permanent, such as love and marriage. We often experience permanent things with contempt, perceiving them as safe and secure, dull & boring, while simultaneously being drawn to the fleeting and uncertain nature of the temporary, like a moth to a flame. Are we realistic, or have our septic wounds made us feel inadequate for what’s permanent or long-term? In my thirties, I have often pondered the ideas of love and marriage, swirling them within the chalice of my mind, only to arrive at a drunken stupor of confusion—a hangover from an idealised relationship between the wonders of love and marriage.

This brings me to the central question: Why did Riky Rick create this body of work? What was happening within the labyrinth of his musical talents and the fissures of his mind? Why title the EP ‘Love & Marriage,’ and why at that time?

This cinematic EP from the forgotten days of the Blogspot era—where even Kaffein Magazine has its roots—weaves textures, notes, scents, and emotions around the concept and perhaps the reality of love and marriage, as perceived by the late Riky Rick during that time.

Before delving further into why I believe this album deserves a revisit, consider its luminance, artful storytelling, and its connection to vulnerability.

1. ‘Can I See You’ This song feels like a honeymoon phase of an impending heartbreak. The kicks and snares are reminiscent of classic hip-hop, accompanied by melodies that fit joyously into the beat, creating excitement, desire, and optimism. The beat bears a heavy sample from the 1970s Jackson 5 hit ‘Can I See You in The Morning,’ which is perhaps indicative of wishful thinking, followed by a sound bite from the 2006 movie starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston—‘The Break-Up.’ It’s a beat full of warmth, joy, and excitement for things to come. VERY REMINISCENT OF RJD2’s ‘Dead Ringer’ album.
2. ‘Your Love Is…’ This track offers an early glance into Riky’s experimentation with singing and is reminiscent of Andre 3000’s ‘Pink & Blue,’ with experimental synthesizing of the voice adding more texture—especially at 2:29, where a vibrant love transforms into a moody purple hue, creating a union of two emotively different vibes: the blues and the reds, and everything in between.
3. ‘Another Day’ This track sounds like an inner-city park in the centre of Johannesburg, with voices, laughter, birds, and the bustle of the city bedding the vibey hip-hop beat. The sounds of car radios and stations being switched create a medley of sounds as it progresses to the end. The beat is stripped layer by layer as the sun sets behind the towering buildings, and the streets become empty of the chords that once were.
4. ‘The Tyson Story’ This song is, personally, by far the most accessible story. The story is real and extremely vulnerable, especially if you can contextualise, relate, or perhaps empathise. In retrospect, this song centres around bullying, being belittled in ways you never thought possible. The mixture of sensitivity and pain builds a monster. This story is told with various sound bites from Mike Tyson interviews, who—as the piano intensifies—continues to tell his story, beckoning the deep questions of identity: “Who am I?” In many ways, it could be a reflection of Riky’s story, how Rikhado Makhado became Pretty Rick, Riky Rick, and the list goes on.
5. ‘For You Again’ The crackle of vinyl cushions the nostalgic and soulful vocals, making this feel like a warm winter with family. A nod to the 70s kind of love—a gentle, honest, and galactic type of love.
6. ‘Jozi City Lights Part 4’ This easily progressive track leans into a jazzy sound that revolves around a rift of strings, percussions, and keys. The sirens break the whimsical trip, dampening the mood and taking us out of the groove—just another Jozi night with police sirens painting the night.
7. ‘Floating Away’ This track is another fun exploration of vocals, in a style and projection that was yet to become familiar as his career evolved. It is chilled, loopy, and addictively monotonous, creating an immediate feeling of familiarity that will have you nodding along and dialling in.
8. ‘Touch of God’ This track bears an abstract beat with melodic reversed vocals and instruments that are perhaps symbolic of a state of dwelling in the past. It ends with an obscure yet cinematic ride into conversations about God and faith taken from Pulp Fiction. The beat periodically switches to unreversed vocals, which seem brighter and full of hope, signalling the beginning of transcendence from what is holding one back. It’s a search for meaning in God to soothe the pains of the flesh—a conversation between two people or perhaps between self…

So why the title ‘Love and Marriage’? Is it influenced by his relationship with music? Could it be life experiences or a story of his becoming? I guess that is for you to answer.

This Ep is one of the most slept-on offerings that we’ve heard in a while. Download it on the link below, before someone removes it.

Download here.