South Africans were left saddened this week following the announcement that CottonFest, the iconic youth culture and music festival founded by the late rapper Riky Rick, has officially come to an end. The news, confirmed on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, marks the closure of a festival widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential platforms for music, fashion, art, and youth expression.
In a statement released by Riky Rick’s partner, Bianca Naidoo, the organisers revealed that ongoing disputes among the festival’s current shareholders made it impossible to continue operations. The decision, she said, was made after “months of deliberation” and was accompanied by a “heavy heart,” recognising the profound impact the news would have on fans, artists, and supporters of the movement.
Launched in 2019, CottonFest was conceived as more than just a music festival. It represented a vision championed by Riky Rick: a space where diverse youth cultures could converge, celebrate creativity, and express themselves freely. The festival quickly became a landmark event in South Africa’s creative landscape, uniting music, fashion, art, and lifestyle elements under one banner. For many, it was an annual highlight that offered exposure for emerging artists and designers while reinforcing Riky Rick’s legacy as a pioneer in youth culture and entertainment.
Naidoo’s statement emphasised that the decision to shut down the festival was not made lightly. “Sadly, differences among the current shareholders have led to disputes between them, that make it increasingly challenging to continue the festival in a manner that upholds the standards and vision set out by its sole founder, Riky Rick,” she wrote. The organisers noted that continuing under such circumstances would compromise the integrity of the festival and the movement it represented.
Riky Rick’s CottonFest Officially Ends, Marking the End of an Era
CottonFest had earned a reputation for being an incubator for creativity. Over the years, it showcased hundreds of local musicians, fashion designers, visual artists, and other creatives, providing them with a platform that reached both national and international audiences. Beyond entertainment, the festival fostered a sense of community among South African youth, encouraging collaboration, innovation, and self-expression. Its closure, therefore, marks not just the end of an event, but the conclusion of a chapter in South Africa’s cultural history.
The statement from Bianca Naidoo and the CottonFest team expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who had been part of the festival’s journey. Fans, artists, and volunteers alike were acknowledged for their role in sustaining the movement and keeping Riky Rick’s vision alive. “Since 2019, YOU have all been instrumental in the success of the Festival but more so, in keeping the movement and Riky’s legacy alive,” the statement read.
The team reflected on the challenges that had grown over time, particularly the tensions among shareholders that ultimately made it impossible to operate the festival in a way that honoured Riky Rick’s founding vision. “After months of deliberation, it is with a very heavy heart that we share the news that it is the end of an era for the Festival,” the statement said. “The CottonFest team would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you, for being part of the movement and for helping to build our incredible community. Thank you for walking this journey with us.”
Despite the closure, the organisers reminded supporters that the spirit of CottonFest lives on through the artists, creatives, and communities it nurtured. The statement ended with a message of resilience and continuity, reflecting the ethos that Riky Rick instilled in the festival: “WE NEVER DIE. WE MULTIPLY.”
For many, the end of CottonFest is a poignant reminder of Riky Rick’s enduring influence on South Africa’s creative industries. His vision not only provided a platform for emerging talent but also inspired countless young people to embrace their cultural identities, pursue their artistic ambitions, and collaborate across disciplines.
As fans and artists alike process the news, the legacy of CottonFest remains intact. Its impact on South Africa’s music, fashion, and youth culture will continue to be felt for years to come, carried forward by the communities that grew around it. While the festival itself may no longer take place, the movement it fostered—rooted in creativity, empowerment, and unity—serves as a lasting tribute to Riky Rick’s vision and the cultural spirit he championed.
In closing, the CottonFest team expressed hope that the festival’s influence would endure, inspiring future events and creative initiatives that reflect the energy, passion, and innovation that Riky Rick brought to the South African cultural landscape. For now, supporters can celebrate the memories, the artists, and the moments that made CottonFest a landmark in the country’s entertainment history.
Source- iHarare
