Who Is Slick Rick?

Slick Rick, born Richard Walters in 1965, is a British-American rapper and songwriter. He is known as one of the greatest storytellers in hip-hop and is often credited with helping to shape the genre’s sound. Slick Rick is considered to be one of the most influential artists in rap music and has been cited as an influence by many of today’s biggest names such as Jay Z, Nas, Kanye West, and Will Smith.

Early Career and Success

Slick Rick first began rapping in 1979 and had his first taste of success with the single “The Show”/”La Di Da Di” in 1985. This single was an instant hit in the hip-hop community and was later sampled by numerous artists including The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Tupac Shakur and Will Smith. In 1988, Slick Rick released his debut album The Great Adventures of Slick Rick which earned him a Gold certification from the RIAA. His next album The Ruler's Back (1991) was also successful and earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

Collaborations

Slick Rick has collaborated with numerous artists throughout his career including Doug E. Fresh, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, OutKast, Rakim, Run–D.M.C., Method Man & Redman and many more. He has also made several guest appearances on various albums such as Dr. Dre’s The Chronic (1992).

Discography

Slick Rick has released four studio albums - The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (1988), The Ruler's Back (1991), Behind Bars (1994) and The Art of Storytelling (1999). He has also released several mixtapes including The Moment I Feared (1992), The Return Of The Ruler (1998) and The Legend Lives On...(2005).

Awards

Slick Rick has been nominated for two Grammy Awards - Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for The Ruler's Back (1991) and Best Rap Album for The Art Of Storytelling (1999). He has also won the Source Award for Lyricist of the Year (1992) and was nominated for two NAACP Image Awards in 1999.