Eye-Patched Slick Rick
Fans recognize the gold chains, eye-patch, and songs of Slick Rick anywhere – they have become the symbols of this controversial rapper.
“Treat Her Like a Prostitute” was a 1988 hit but was attacked for its low opinion of women. Despite this bad publicity, however, Slick Rick managed to obtain platinum grade for his 1989 album, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. A sequel to this album was in the pipeline, but Rick was arrested for attempted murder before its release. He was let out on bail by Russel Simmons, chief of Def Jam Records. Upon his release, he recorded Behind Bars, which was scheduled for 1994.
Slick Rick was born to Jamaican parents in London on January 14, 1965. His eye patch is explained by the fact that he was blinded by broken glass when he was a baby. In the 70s he immigrated to New York with his family. He enrolled in the La Guardia High School of Music and Art where he befriended fellow rapper Dana Dane. They teamed up and formed the Kangol Crew, doing hip hop. It was just a question of time before Slick Rick entered into a contract with Def Jam Records, known to be the biggest hip hop recording label.
Slick Rick’s other songs include “If I’m not Your Lover” which landed in spot # 2 in 1989, and “Children’s Story” which made it to the top 5 of R&B that same year. Early in 1990, the rapper was arrested for shooting his cousin who he claimed was harassing his mother. He managed to record 21 songs before his arrest. Another album, “The Ruler’s Back” was planned for release but was not as successful. In 1996, Slick Rick was released from prison to participate in a community program. Another album, “Art of Storytelling” came out in 1999, where he co-performed with Snoop Dogg. The album served to highlight his talent as a soloist.
In 2002, the US Immigration and Naturalization Section had documentation to get Slick Rick deported back to London, in spite of the fact that his entire family – wife and children – were all Americans. Born in London, he never bothered to apply for American citizenship which led to deportation proceedings. Slick Rick spent plenty of time in jail, with the support of friends like Russell Simmons and Will Smith who tried several times to get him out of bail with no success.