Forget tennis. Let’s give South Wimbledon London credit where credit is deserved. Tis the home of Ricky Walters aka Slick Rick. Born and bred to Jamaican parents, Ricky D finally made his way, with his family, to the Bronx in the mid 70’s. It was not too long before he started impacting the development of the American hip hop scene.
The eye patch. Oh, its fo real. Ricky was blinded in his right eye from shattered glass as a boy. The jail time, well that was real too, Slick Rick was indicted on two counts of attempted murder. Russell Simmons bailed him out so he could do a quick recording of The Ruler’s Back before heading to the pen for a half decade.
The late 80’s were oh so fresh for Slick Rick as he was a key element in the progression of the hip hop movement. His hits “La Di Da Di” and “Children’s Story” became household favorites and his notable collabos with the beat master Doug E. Fresh and with artists such as Outkast, Nas and Snoop were very well received.
Where is Slick Rick now? Well you may have seen him receive a VH1 Hip Hop Honor last October, but more pressing is his ongoing battle with the INS who have been looking to send the gold chain wearing bloke back to his native UK since the late 90’s. C’mon now…
From arguably the greatest story-teller in rap history, enjoy.
Slick Rick f/ Outkast – Street Talkin’
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Slick Rick f/ Snoop Dogg – Unify
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rick the ruler!
*puts on eye patch*
La di da di, Train likes to party…
Takin it back OLK SkOOLL.
Since we’re on the subject, why don’t we reveal what I consider to be Slick Rick’s American counterpart – Devin the Dude. Yes, like the American vs. Britt stereotypes go; he’s a bit less precise, a bit more lazy, but just as cool, maybe cooler.