CottonFest Officially Shut Down After Six-Year Run
CottonFest, the influential youth culture and music festival founded by the late rapper Riky Rick, has officially been shut down.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, marks the end of an event that has been one of the country’s most celebrated creative movements since its launch in 2019.
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Bianca Naidoo Confirms Festival Closure
In a statement released by Riky Rick’s partner, Bianca Naidoo, the CottonFest team revealed that they could no longer continue operating the event due to ongoing disputes among its current shareholders.
The festival, launched in 2019, was created to unite music, fashion, art and diverse youth cultures under one platform — a vision strongly associated with Riky Rick’s legacy.
Naidoo said the decision came after “months of deliberation” and was made with a “heavy heart,” acknowledging the emotional impact the news would have on the festival’s supporters.
Internal Disagreements Lead to Shutdown
According to the statement, shareholder tensions had become increasingly difficult to resolve, ultimately making it impossible to run CottonFest in a way that honoured the standard and spirit established by its founder.
The team emphasised that continuing under such conditions would compromise the integrity of the movement Riky Rick built from the ground up.
Here is the full statement:
“COTTONFEST CONCLUDES…THE END OF AN ERA
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. 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. 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.
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.
With Love Bianca and The CottonFest Team
WE NEVER DIE. WE MULTIPLY, ” reads the statement.
Refunds and Community Appreciation
Organisers confirmed that ticket holders can request refunds through Webtickets, and thanked fans, partners and artists for sustaining the festival over the past six years.