Co signs are nothing new in hip hop. In fact, I think it's an important role that comes with being a big artist. Big artists can tell a whole community of listeners that a particular artist has got next. Co-signs come in various ways from tweeting to an IG story with that song in the background.
One artist that has never held back on welcoming the new generation into the mainstream is Riky Rick. We all remember his iconic speech at the Metro's where he said "Shout-outs to the kids that never get on radio — they can’t get their songs played on radio because they don’t have enough money. Shout-outs to the kids who put out music videos. They never get their videos played because they don’t have the money.”
Frank Casino was one of the freshest young talents around the time he dropped 'Whole Thing'. The song was already hot but Riky Rick delivering this verse on it took it to another level.
[Verse 1: Riky Rick]
"I built a structure for these niggas, they taking me lightly
Mama told me some would love me and some will dislike me
Motherfuckers want me dead but the money revive me
Most likely if I'm alive they can never be like me
Let's make it simple for the layman's
Who know could run the city in Gucci slippers and still show up at the daycare
Your night clothes is my day wear
Don't give about opinions I'm buying 3 for my minions
Niggas think the game is a breeze, pardon my ease
I dont wanna end up like Jabba, my nigga Flabba
Take a kitchen knife to the body before they love ya
My life resembles the Spanish bulls
The truly brave never make it on the news
I'm Conor Mcgregor I never lose
And even if I lose these niggas follow my moves"
Riky Rick has always shown love to the kids and with the rise of the new wave, it was no surprise to see Riky Rick show The Big Hash some love and jumping on a track with him.
*Click here to read my article on 'What Happened To The New Wave'*
On a song called 'Jimmy Choos' by The Big Hash he said "Riky put a million on my head" and I always wondered if Riky Rick really did invest R1 million or was it just a line that sounds cool? Anyway, Riky Rick didn't disappoint with his verse on Dark Horse, further shining a light on The Big Hash.
[Verse 1: Riky Rick]
"Peep my credentials
I’m the one who killed the metros
I tried to tell you blocking us is detrimental
It’s nothing special, my repertoire is presidential
They gon’ tell you that payola is circumstantial
Fuck the charts
I took a stance I will never dance
Or these buy some loubatins for some debutants
There's money on my head these niggas want me dead
They see me good but they don't want me fed
Safa ngestress
I talking that shit these niggas afraid to address
Shit is a mess, if tell the truth these niggas will fuck with you less
I'm public enemy number 1
And they gonna probably never do me right till I come with something
But they know my lifetime story’s been cumbersome
They tell me I’m troublesome
But this is how it is when you love him some
I'm in this shit
Top class, its premiership
If these muthafuckas kill me yall niggas my witnesses"
With all of the artists that Riky Rick has shown love, Costa Titch is the one who benefited the most from a Riky Rick co-sign when he jumped onto 'Nkalakatha'. Riky Rick's presence on this song blew it up to epic proportions and Costa Titch's debut 'Made In Africa' became one of the most anticipated drops in the game.
[Verse 1: Riky Rick]
"Okay let's do it like this
When they say they making money
Niggas say they’re balling
They’re wrestling with the facts
Talkin’ ’bout bitches, they talkin’ bitches we had
We don’t buy ’em no bags
Is that your man selling there
They don’t want me to ball
These rappers mad, they praying Riky will fall
Never shop at the mall
They wondering where the swag from, it’s in my blood
I got this shit from my dad, son
Give it to my grandson, that’s facts
Made so many friends in high places
Riky Riky don’t even need to rap
So don’t tell me about social media stats
I’m God level, tyrants don’t socialise with the rats nigga
Niggas say they tired when I’m performing
But I pull up to a show they promoting and outperform ’em
How many Raris should I buy
Till they realise that everything these niggas rap about
Really my real life
Sixteen bars make you a millionaire
I could say a couple names but I’ll leave it there
Now we making millions cutting niggas’ hair
Now we making millions cutting niggas’ hair"
At the end of it all, I really do look at Riky Rick as the 'Father' to the kids. Always ready to usher them into the game and show them love. That's the stuff that legends are made of.
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