SLICK RICK

Born: Ricky Walters; London, England, 14 January 1965

Genre: Rap

Best-selling album since 1990: The Art of Storytelling (1999)

Hit songs since 1990: "I Shouldn't Have Done It," "Mistakes of a Woman in Love with Other Men," "Sittin in My Car," "Street Talkin'"

Slick Rick is one of hip-hop's most respected and vital rappers. Best known for his humorous storytelling, Slick Rick raps with a lilting British accent, making him a one-of-a-kind voice. Lionized by artists like Snoop Dogg, Slick Rick is among hip-hop's most celebrated rappers.

Ricky Walters was born to Jamaican parents in the South Wimbledon district of London. Blinded in infancy in his right eye by broken glass, Walters began wearing an eye patch. When he was eleven years old, his family emigrated to the Bronx, New York, the birthplace of hip-hop. The energy of the Bronx changed the course of Walters's life. While attending the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art in Manhattan, Walters met rapper Dana Dane and adopted the rap name Slick Rick. The duo sported Kangol, a popular brand of English hats, and dubbed themselves the Kangol Crew. They sharpened their rap skills through impromptu rhyme competitions with rappers across New York City. The most famous contest occurred in the Bronx in 1984 against beatboxer and rapper Doug E. Fresh. (The event was dramatized by Slick Rick, Dana Dane, and Doug E. Fresh in the 2002 film Brown Sugar.) As a result of the meeting, Slick Rick began performing with Doug E. Fresh and his Get Fresh Crew. Together they recorded the rap classics "La Di Da Di" and "The Show," produced by a young Teddy Riley.

Slick Rick secured a solo contract with the label Def Jam and showcased his storytelling prowess in his aptly titled debut, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (1988). An instant classic, it is a collection of tales ranging from the cautionary "A Children's Story" and the romantic "Mona Lisa" to the misogynistic "Treat Her Like a Prostitute." With his signature trademarks, the always present Kangol, gold chains, and teeth, and his eye patch, Slick Rick had all the packaging of a genuine rap star. He teamed with R&B singer Al B. Sure! for a remix of "If I'm Not Your Lover," which almost topped the Billboard charts in 1989.

In 1990 Slick Rick was charged with shooting his cousin and another man, and he was arrested for attempted murder. Out on bail, he quickly recorded the album The Ruler's Back (1991). The danceable catchy beats of Great Adventures, largely provided by Public Enemy producer Hank Shocklee, are replaced by lackluster tracks from the less accomplished Vance Wright. The album sounds rushed, and Slick Rick's stories are not articulated as they are in his debut. Nevertheless, the danceable "I Shouldn't Have Done It" and the moody "Mistakes of a Woman in Love with Other Men" received favorable attention.

In 1993 a work-release program enabled Slick Rick to record Behind Bars (1994), which boasted the mild hit "Sittin in My Car." Unable to get the necessary promotion, neither The Ruler's Back nor Behind Bars sold well. Following his parole in 1995, Slick Rick was jailed again by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) because he was not a U.S. citizen. In 1996 he won his appeal and his freedom.

During his incarceration, artists like Snoop Dogg kept Slick Rick's name alive in commercial hip-hop circles by crediting him as a major inspiration. Snoop Dogg even remade "La Di Da Di" on the song "Lodi Dadi" from his debut Doggystyle (1993). Younger rap fans embraced Slick Rick's return after his release from prison. His The Art of Storytelling (1999) features popular artists OutKast, Nas, Raekwon (of Wu-Tang Clan), and Snoop Dogg, as well as live versions of the seminal songs "The Show" and "La Di Da Di" with Doug E. Fresh. As the title indicates, the focus is on Slick Rick's core strength. He vividly rhymes about the early days of hip-hop on "Memories" and the trials of a personal relationship on "Why, Why, Why." The album claimed a gold plaque and glowing critical reviews.

Big name rap artists invited the veteran rapper to cameo on their albums, further cementing Slick Rick's reputation. He appeared on releases by Jay-Z, De La Soul, and Jermaine Dupri. In 2002 Slick Rick faced renewed legal troubles when he performed on a cruise ship. Upon returning to port in Miami, Florida, INS authorities seized the star, citing a federal law requiring the automatic deportation of foreign nationals who have served more than five years for a felony conviction. Slick Rick had passed that mark by twelve days. High-profile entertainment figures like Russell Simmons, Will Smith, and Chris Rock came to his support. In late 2002 a judge placed a temporary stay on the deportation. As of May 2003 Slick Rick remains in custody, awaiting a deportation decision.

Despite INS troubles, Slick Rick's stature as a rap icon remains unsullied. His narrative power is undisputed, and his storytelling skills in rap continue to inspire.

SELECTIVE DISCOGRAPHY:

The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (Def Jam 1989); The Ruler's Back (Def Jam, 1991); Behind Bars (Def Jam, 1994); The Art of Storytelling (Def Jam, 1999).

dara cook