Slick Rick "The Great Adventures Of..." (November 1, 1988)

Slick Rick's reputation as hip-hop's greatest storyteller hangs on his classic debut, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, one of the most influential rap records of the late '80s -- for better and worse. Most of the production is standard early Def Jam, but Rick's style on the mic is like no one else's. His half-British accent and odd, singsong cadences often overshadow the smoothness of his delivery, but there's no overlooking the cleverness of his lyrics. His carefully constructed narratives are filled with vivid detail and witty asides, and his cartoonish sense of humor influenced countless other rappers. He'll adopt a high voice for his female characters, and even duets with his old alter ego MC Ricky D on "Mona Lisa." But there's also a dark side to The Great Adventures -- namely its vulgarity and off-handed misogyny. No MC had ever dared go as far on record as Rick, and the tracks in question haven't really lost much of their power to offend, or at least raise eyebrows. The notorious "Treat Her Like a Prostitute" is the prime suspect, undermining well-intentioned advice (don't trust too quickly) with cynical, often degrading portrayals of women. "Indian Girl (Adult Story)," meanwhile, is an X-rated yarn with a barely comprehensible payoff. Yet this material is as much a part of Rick's legacy as his more admirable traits, and he was far from the last MC to put seemingly contradictory sides of his personality on the same record. And it's worth noting that most of his Great Adventures, no matter how dubious, end up as cautionary tales with definite consequences. That's especially true on the tragic "Children's Story," in which a teenage robber's increasingly desperate blunders lead to his destruction. In the end, The Great Adventures is simply too good not to deserve the countless samples and homages by everyone from Snoop Dogg to Black Star. - AllMusic. This always felt like a greatest hits album to me, simply incredible storytelling...

I remember days upon days listening to this tape in my walkman. What a time...

Slick Rick "The Ruler's Back" (July 2, 1991)

Rapper Slick Rick recently began serving up to 10 years in prison for attempted murder. Judging from The Ruler’s Back, no trial or tribulation can cramp his lighthearted style. (And don’t let charges of sexism over his 1988 hit ”Treat Her Like a Prostitute” distract you; that song isn’t like the rest of his work.) With his raspy faux-British delivery, Rick sometimes sounds like a cool schoolteacher entertaining the kiddies before naptime. Here he delivers engaging tales about impulsive romantic mistakes (”I Shouldn’t Have Done It”), biblical figures (”Moses”), and his own responsibilities as a father (”It’s a Boy”). The only detraction: a heavy-handed beat that often competes with his vocals rather than complementing them. - EW (August 02, 1991). I cannot lie, I wasn't all the way into this album from Slick Rick - at the time - however, that Large Professor remix to "It's a Boy" was a go! The Washington Post called the album "disappointing," writing that "for some reason, Rick has adopted a high-speed rapping style that undercuts his two great strengths -- humor and storytelling grace" - and honestly, that's a fair point. Fortunately, Slick Rick rebounded and this project is but a minor stretch mark in his long and distinguished catalog dating back to the mid-80s.

Much love and respect to Slick Rick the Ruler...

Happy Born Day, Slick Rick!

D-Stroy tagged me in a post on IG, wishing a Happy Born Day to the legendary Slick Rick, and I thought I'd share it here: "Happy Birthday Slick Rick. Younger cats may be wondering, who’s this man and why does he wear a eye patch? Is his accent real? Why are people always in the club saying “La Di Da Di, we likes to party?” To answer those questions and more, he adds: 1) Slick Rick was born in a place called South Wimbledon, in South West London, England. He moved to the Bronx, NY, when he was 11. 2) Slick Rick’s eye patch was never a fashion statement, but masked a medical injury. At only 1 years old, he was left blinded in the right eye after a window broke and his eye was struck by glass. 3) Funny enough, at the High School of Music and Arts, this Brit met Dana Dane who was known to impersonate British accents. They formed the Kangol Crew, though, MC Ricky D ended up truly shining with Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew. 4) After being set up and extorted by his own cousin, Slick Rick ended up in an altercation leaving two people shot; a bystander (in the foot!) and his cousin. Second degree attempted murder charges, followed by issues stemming with the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), he spent 5 years and 12 days in jail. 5) The only label Slick Rick was ever signed to was Def Jam Records which explains why Russell Simmons was the one who bailed him out of jail 8 months after initial charges were laid on him. He was also released in 1993, for three months and sent back when the INS got involved. 6) Ricky D released an album while incarcerated, entitled Behind Bars. 7) Slick Rick is Grammy-nominated, when Montell Jordan sampled Ricky D for his hit track ‘This is How We Do It.” Considering the sampling, Slick Rick was listed as a writer on the track, therefore, getting credit as Grammy-nominated. 8) In his whole discography, “A Children’s Story” is his favorite song. Perhaps it’s because he produced it entirely separate from anyone at Def Jam having their hands in it. (Along with “Hey Young World” and “Mona Lisa.”). 9) Department of Homeland Security tried to deport Slick Rick, yet again, in 2003. He spent 17 months in an ‘illegal aliens’ jail, Finally, in 2008, he was granted a full and unconditional pardon., which means, this Hip-Hop hero is here to stay. Follow HERE to catch D-Stroy's online show, Showoff Your Gems. HBD, Slick Rick! Art above is by Ed Piskor.

Slick Rick "The Ruler's Storytelling" (Mixed by DJ Kaos)

The Ruler. MC Ricky D. Uncle Ricky. No matter the nickname, there is only one Slick Rick, the hip-hop legend whose great adventures might as well be etched in the side of rap's Mount Rushmore. The British-born, Bronx-raised titan remains hip-hop's original storyteller and one of its all-time innovators, who perfected the art of the narrative (along with the art of rocking a fur coat with a diamond-encrusted eyepatch). In a career that's spanned over three decades, Slick Rick's classics have been woven into the very fabric of hip-hop. Blended by DJ Kaos, this sprawling, 38-track mixtape features six unreleased, never-before-heard tracks, along with some of the artist's most acclaimed remixes and featured verses from collaborations with Missy Elliott, Mos Def, Raekwon and more. Originally released in June, exclusively on Audiomack. Salute to Slick Rick & DJ Kaos, dig in...

Slick Rick "The Art of Storytelling" (May 25, 1999)

Slick Rick was 32 years old when he made his fourth studio album The Art of Storytelling. ⁣According to Def Jam,⁣ Slick Rick and Lyor Cohen set up a house in Bearsville, New York and made this album in 2-3 weeks. In a Complex feature, Clark Kent spoke on the studio in Bearsville, saying "They were in barns, and it had the ill loft. Me and my two homies, basically my nephews, we went up there, and I just made beats all day. And there was this cabin next door where him and his wife stayed." He also said the Trackmasters were there with 50 Cent who was recording at the same time. The Art of Storytelling was instantly a success - selling over a 100k in just a few days and certified Gold within a month of its release. ⁣The album featured production from Clark Kent, Jazze Pha, Trackmasters, Ty Fyffe, DJ S&S, Dame Grease and among others, Kid Capri. It also featured vocals from Nas, Big Boi, Canibus, Raekwon, Snoop Dogg and skits with Ed Lover, Redman, Rev Run, Q-Tip and Peter Gunz. After his classic The Great Adventures of Slick Rick in 1988, I'd agree with Spin Magazine when they said Slick Rick's "Two subsequent LPs, 1991's The Ruler's Back and '94's Behind Bars were piecemealed by his record label while the patch-eyed kid was one the other side of the wall." In his own words, "To me, this is my real second album. The other 2 - the second and third album - I didn't like them. I thought they were rushed - it wasn't my full potential." Quite the comeback, however short-lived it may have been. While early adverts estimated the release to be in January 1999, The Art of Storytelling was officially released on May 25, 1999. Watch the video to "Street Talkin" with OutKast from the LP below: "Since I came out of jail, it's like the planet gone bananas..."

Slick Rick "Behind Bars" (The Source, May 1993)

Slick Rick, hip-hop’s greatest storyteller, spoke from prison (Woodbourne Correctional Facility in South Fallsberg, New York) in an exclusive interview with The Source in May, 1993. As Def Jam prepared to release his third solo album, “Behind Bars,” Slick Rick reflected on life behind bars and his turbulent past. “Titled Behind Bars, the third album brings producers like Pete Rock, Large Professor, Marley Marl and Easy Moe Bee into the picture, remixing - and in most cases re-remixing tunes that were completed months ago… “Behind Bars,” Rick’s account of life in the joint, is a graphic account of inmates getting their sneakers taken, “rape attempts,” fights for the telephone” and more. “While his lyrics shine, some people feel the album shouldn’t be released as is, that it isn’t representative of Rick’s best work. The decision lies in the hands of Russell Simmons.” As you saw in the Def Jam documentary, “The Show,” this conversation played out in the film, with Rick less than pleased with some of the production choices. I recommend reading the full article for all the back details, and I’ll close it out with a note from Slick Rick, saying “I’d like to say peace to all the brothers incarcerated, hold your head. And all the cross carriers, keep the faith.” Slick Rick was released from prison in 1997 after spending five years in prison. Slick Rick's album, Behind Bars, was released on this day in 1994. Happy 25th Anniversary. Art from Andre LeRoy Davis below.

Slick Rick "The Great Adventures Of..." (30th Anniversary)

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Slick Rick’s debut album, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, Def Jam/Urban Legends/UMe will release a deluxe edition of the album. The new 30th Anniversary Edition adds Rick’s previously unreleased demo recordings for “Children’s Story,” “A Teenage Love,” “Mona Lisa,” and “Hey Young World.” The Deluxe 2LP vinyl packages include a booklet with reproductions of lyric sheets and photos, as well as a reproduction of Slick Rick’s infamous eyepatch. The Deluxe Edition also features an ode to The Great Adventures written by the legendary Nas. This incredible deluxe edition for the 30th Anniversary is available HERE, cop it!

Slick Rick & Dana Dane "Pimpin' Ain't Easy" (2000)

Back in 2000, Priority Records and the WWF joined forces to release a compilation album called 'WWF Aggression.' The project had rappers adding original rhymes over various wrestlers' entrance themes. Artists such as Method Man, Snoop Dogg, Redman, Heltah Skeltah, RA The Rugged Man Ice-T, and more. There was originally a version of Ice-T's "Pimpin' Ain't Easy" that had Dana Dane and Slick Rick instead over the Godfather's Theme. I am not certain why the record didn't make the retail version of the album, but this gem was lost to many and is certainly worth your listening pleasure. At the time, the Priority release was considered a "flanker," because Koch Records had released a project called "WWF The Music Volume 4" that would expand the market base and make room for the WWF to grab some new market share. The article talks about their street teams handing out snippet cassettes for the album and I do have a sealed copy somewhere. I never gave it a second's look, but had I known Mark Copeland at Priority said, "we wanted street-level thugs with a genuine love of wrestling," I might have been sold. That's sarcasm, why would he say that!? lol

The original article in Billboard (March 25, 2000) is below...

Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh "La Di Da Di" (Video, 1985)

"No one will ever forget the almighty Slick Rick, in part because of the four nonsensical words that started his illustrious MC career: "La Di Da Di." Released as the B-Side of Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew's 1985 smash hit "The Show," the famed vocal has endured even longer than its flip. Sampled by dozens of producers, covered by lyrical ascendant Snoop Dogg, cut up by DJs ad infinitum, and memorized by most Americans old and/or schooled enough to remember the hip-hop explosion of the eighties, it endures as Rick's defining rhyme, and is still part of his stage show." - Check The Technique, Brian Coleman. Is this the greatest B-Side of all-time? Watch Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh performing their classic, La Di Da Di!, live below and "Um, don't cry, dry your eye..."

Happy Born Day, Slick Rick! The 12" and signed photo cont'd below...

Slick Rick's 'Children Story' Video & A Book?

The first single off Slick Rick's classic debut album in 1988, 'The Great Adventures of Slick Rick,' was an influential song in my life called 'Teenage Love.' I ran that song so many times that people wondered if I'd heard the rest of the album. I was 10 years old at the time, but I distinctly remember thinking that 'The Great Adventures of Slick Rick' was a greatest hits album because it had so many hits, lol I purchased it in the Queens Center Mall on cassette, probably overpaid too! Def Jam followed up 'Teenage Love' with 'Children's Story,' 'Hey Young World' and 'Mona Lisa.' The internets say that 'Children's Story' was released on this day in 1989, but unfortunately my memory isn't that good, so I can neither confirm nor deny. It's a good excuse to talk about the record, though, so let's get into it: 'Children's Story' was explained by the man, Bill Adler, as 'a horrifying tale of a couple of stickup kids. Rick frames it as a cozy bedtime tale, as if Dr. Seuss had gone hip-hop.' You could argue Dr. Seuss was hip-hop before hip-hop, but Bill Adler was also spot on when he added 'more happened in one of Rick's songs than occurred in whole albums by other rappers.' Facts!! Now, 'this ain't funny so don't you dare laugh...' but it was recently announced that 'Children's Story' is being turned into a children's book with drawings recapturing the storyline from the song; it will come with a 7" of the song and a CD copy of the album via Get On Down and Def Jam on Record Story Day (4/22/17). Dope! How long has it been since you watched the video? Watch below...

Cru "Just Another Case" (The Source, May 1997)

Now this ain't funny, so don't you dare laugh / Just another case about the wrong path... "Just Another Case" pays homage to old-school storytelling tales like Slick Rick's "Children's Story." Fittingly, the Ruler makes a regal return, adding his genius on the song's final verse. The thumping, soap-opera style, piano laced groove is sure to be a favorite for jeep pumping, and will provide needed exposure to this unusual crew. Cru's album "Da Dirty 30" was a slept-on album that had bangers like "Pronto" and features from Ras Kass, The LOX, Black Rob among others elsewhere on the album. Rumor had it that Yogi, Chadio & the Mighty Ha, as Cru, were set to blow until a less than stellar live show performance derailed their efforts. Any truth to that? Check out the abbreviated video for "Just Another Case" below, and definitely revisit "Da Dirty 30." - The Source.

The full review in The Source is available below...