If hip-hop is regarded as the folk music of the post-industrial age, then Slick Rick stands as its Woody Guthrie.
Slick Rick, born Ricky Walters in London and later raised in the Bronx, is credited with inventing the smooth-talking storytelling style that has influenced a plethora of artists ranging from De La Soul and Digital Underground to Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar.
His clever and insightful verses expanded the narrative possibilities of hip-hop, weaving tales about respecting your mother and uncovering infidelity, alongside impactful lyrics addressing social deprivation and immigration.
Eminem has identified himself as "a product of Slick Rick," while Jay-Z has drawn parallels between Slick Rick and Matisse, and Questlove has referred to his voice as "the most beautiful thing to happen to hip-hop culture." Additionally, the late Amy Winehouse paid homage to him in her track "Me and Mr Jones."
On Thursday, he will be honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Mobo Awards, following a performance of a career-spanning set alongside Estelle. Speaking from his residence in New York, Slick Rick expresses great humility regarding the recognition.
"That feels great, the appreciation," he states. "Thank you, England."
Born in 1965 to Jamaican parents in Mitcham, south London, Slick Rick faced the traumatic experience of losing vision in one eye due to an accident with broken glass in infancy, resulting in his signature eye patch. In 1976, at the age of 11, he immigrated with his family to the Bronx. However, New York during that time was a city facing substantial challenges.
The city was engulfed in a financial crisis marked by rampant drugs and crime, with crumbling infrastructure making solo travel unwise. "If you were poor and coming up, you were pretty much stuck," Rick explains.
His family found accommodation with his grandmother, fitting into a small apartment that was home to numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. "It reminds me of the beginning of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, where he has two sets of grandparents all in one bed," he comments. "We still had fun, but when you look back, you say, 'Wow, that was a lot of us on one mattress.'"
By sheer chance, he found himself in the birthplace of hip-hop at a pivotal time. "People would bring out sound systems and set them up in the parks," he recalls. "It drew the youth because it made you dance and have fun. I was hooked instantly."
While attending LaGuardia High School of Music & Art, he forged a friendship with future rapper Dana Dane, and they began writing their own rhymes. "We didn't have instruments or anything. We just banged on the desk. And every other day, we would write a rap to try and impress each other."
Performing as the Kangol Crew, Rick embraced his English roots by donning regal capes and extravagant jewelry, and introduced himself as Rick the Ruler or Richard of Nottingham. His distinctive delivery – a captivating blend of conversational style combined with Jamaican intonations, witty Britishisms, and an elevated vocabulary – was already fully formed.
This unique flow earned him the moniker Slick Rick, a name given to him by the legendary hip-hop producer Doug E Fresh, who discovered him at an open mic event and invited him to join his Get Fresh Crew. In 1985, they made music history with tracks "The Show" and "La-Di-da-Di," described by critic Peter Shapiro in The Rough Guide to Hip-Hop as the "greatest two-sided single since Hound Dog/Love Me Tender."
Rick modestly downplays this acclaim, referring to the songs as the outcome of two friends simply "playing around" and "having fun." "The Show" was spontaneously put together, built around a drum loop and the theme from the children's TV program Inspector Gadget. The single became a global sensation, reaching the UK Top 10 and securing a spot for the artists on Top of the Pops – marking the first time a DJ utilizing turntables appeared on the iconic BBC chart show.
"La-Di-da-Di" became Rick's signature track during rap battles, notable for its quotable narrative about prepping for a day out (he even makes taking a bubble bath sound appealing) before being confronted by an ex-lover and her mother. It is currently the most sampled hip-hop song ever, featuring in over 1,000 different tracks. In 1993, Snoop Dogg produced a complete cover on his acclaimed album Doggystyle. "Snoop's cover was definitely the best," reflects Rick. "That was an honour."
After signing with Def Jam Records, Slick Rick embarked on a solo career, debuting with the platinum-selling album The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, which showcased his skill for narrating stories – particularly evident in "Children's Story," a compellingly dark tale of witnessing a teenage friend's fatal encounter with police. Unlike many freestyle rap hits, "Children's Story" was meticulously planned with a clear narrative arc. "I guess it's trying to be dramatic, to give it like an adventure feel," Rick explains.
"He was running down the street, the police were chasing him, he jumped into a stolen car, and he hit a tree. It gives it a theatrical quality. You can still visualize it, even without imagery."
Conversely, "Teenage Love" addressed themes of romance – a distinctive choice in hip-hop, where only a select few artists (LL Cool J, The Roots, Method Man) have enjoyed success with traditional love songs. "I guess it depends on the individual, whether he wants to express himself in that manner," says Rick.
"It's broadening your horizons type of a thing. We don't have to remain one dimensional. It's beneficial to express your childhood experiences, the moments in high school, the first time you ever fell in love."
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