Unpacking the Genius of Slick Rick's Debut Album
Dive into Slick Rick’s unparalleled ability to tell stories through rap, as showcased in his debut album.
“Slick” Rick Walters, a London-born rapper who grew up in the Bronx, is a legend in hip-hop. His storytelling abilities, first showcased in his debut album, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, have entertained countless fans and significantly impacted the genre. This album, released three decades ago, is still considered one of the greatest in hip-hop history.
Rick’s journey in hip-hop began at New York City’s renowned Laguardia High School of Music & Art, where he associated with fellow artists like Dana Dane. Together, they formed the Kangol Krew. At 19, Rick met Doug E. Fresh, a rapper with exceptional beatboxing skills. Together, they recorded “The Show” and “La Di Da Di,” two tracks that quickly became club anthems and are now among the most sampled tracks in hip-hop history. The strength of Rick’s rhymes is what made these tracks so memorable.
However, Rick decided to leave Doug’s Get Fresh Crew for reasons that remain a mystery. He joined Def Jam Records in 1986 and spent two years crafting his debut album, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. This album is now universally acclaimed and continues to influence the direction of hip-hop.
Rick’s unique style is characterized by his distinctive voice, influenced by his British roots, precise enunciation, smooth cadence, witty humor, and strong storytelling abilities. These traits are all showcased in The Great Adventures, with impeccable execution throughout the album.
In his music, Rick created the character The Ruler, an embodiment of the superiority complex many rappers possess. As The Ruler, Rick dismisses those he deems unworthy and seeks to dominate the hip-hop scene with authority and style. This persona allowed Rick to exude an unprecedented confidence level at the time.
The album’s production was a collaborative effort between Slick Rick (with help from Vance Wright), Bomb Squad members Hank Shocklee and Eric Sadler, and Jam Master Jay from Run-DMC. Despite Rick’s apparent lack of enthusiasm about these collaborations (as revealed in Brian Coleman’s Check the Technique), the contributions from these artists blended well with the overall sound of the album.
“Treat Her Like a Prostitute,” a humorous yet explicit track where Rick narrates three stories of infidelity. This song was a routine that Rick used to perform with Doug E. Fresh at parties and shows. Rick has mentioned that this was the only song on the album that used rhymes from older material, with all other content written explicitly for The Great Adventures. Despite its explicit content, Rick’s charisma allows him to narrate a graphic tale of infidelity with ease.
The album effectively starts with “The Ruler’s Back,” a melodic and flamboyant track crafted by Jam Master Jay. Rick relishes his comeback with this tune, a musical representation of a triumphant parade in his honor. The song is extravagant and subtle, marked by brass instruments and a piano melody reminiscent of Les McCann’s “Roberta.” In terms of lyrics, Rick’s quintessential, criticizing those who envy and imitate his style yet magnanimously forgiving them.
The first pair of singles from the album highlight Rick’s knack for storytelling. “Children’s Story” is considered one of the top hip-hop songs ever, particularly for its narrative quality. It’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of street life, featuring memorable characters like Dave the Dope Fiend that enrich the narrative. The track’s music is somber and lively, making it an enduring club favorite for the past three decades. “Teenage Love” may not be as iconic, but it’s still noteworthy. Here, Rick narrates the highs and lows of young love. Even though it’s slower in pace, it offers valuable insights into teenage relationships and their eventual breakups. According to Coleman’s Check the Technique, Rick wasn’t entirely happy with the Shocklee and Sadler version of the song and would have preferred a faster version that he reportedly initially produced.
“Mona Lisa” is a club-friendly track where Rick tries to impress a woman he meets on the street. The song concludes with him singing “Walk On By,” altered by a voice modifier. Other songs like “Kit (What’s the Scoop)” and “Teacher, Teacher” address those trying to exploit him. In “Kit (What’s the Scoop),” Rick receives assistance from the titular 1982 Pontiac Firebird to find the culprits who stole his crown and records. “Teacher, Teacher” sees Rick chastising those who try to copy his style. Both songs are light-hearted and fun, featuring Rick’s unique descriptions of secondary characters.
The song “The Moment I Feared” attests to Rick’s brilliance. This song acts as a reality check amid grand stories of swooning women and villainous characters. It’s a masterful narrative in which Rick places his Ruler character in a real-world context, devoid of talking cars and plotting villains. After establishing himself as stylish in the initial verses, he goes to a club only to be robbed of his fake gold chains by some tough guys. Later, he tries his hand at street life, only to get caught due to his inability to cover up his crime correctly. The song concludes with him in prison, becoming a victim of prison assault, which he portrays with dark humor.
Throughout The Great Adventures, Slick Rick balances between silly and crude. “Indian Girl (An Adult Story)” starts as a playful story about Davey Crockett courting an Indian princess named Running Rabbit but takes an unexpectedly explicit turn in the final verse. A song like “Hey Young World” seems out of place on an album featuring tracks like “Treat Her Like a Prostitute” or “Indian Girl.” However, Rick’s skill and conviction make it work. This contrast showcases Rick’s versatility as an emcee. He can be both crude and wholesome, and both aspects coexist harmoniously.
“Hey Young World,” the album’s third single, is as sincere and wholesome as “Treat Her Like a Prostitute” is risqué. Rick uses this song to advise future generations to stay out of trouble, respect their parents, and complete their chores. He aims to inspire kids to live their best lives. The song is motivational without being cheesy or preachy. The album’s final track, “Lick the Balls,” is the only pure boastful track where Rick abandons storytelling to focus on his superior skills. Crafted by the Shocklee and Sadler team, Rick raps over minimalist percussion and scratches from Funk Inc.’s “Kool Is Back” and J.J. Johnson’s “Pull, Jubal, Pull.”
The fact that Slick Rick could build his reputation mostly around this one album speaks volumes about The Great Adventures’ quality. Even before his incarceration, Rick was regarded as one of the best narrative emcees and made it onto many top-five lists. His influence can be seen in artists like Biggie Smalls, Snoop Dogg, Nas, JAY-Z, Ghostface Killah, and Ludacris, among many others. Rick continues to be respected as a senior figure in hip-hop. Despite numerous challenges, his legacy and contributions to the genre remain significant. Few have played their role as effectively as Rick, making The Great Adventures of Slick Rick an integral part of hip-hop’s rich history.