
“Dave, the dope fiend shootin’ dope/Who don’t know the meaning of water nor soap” are some of the most recognizable lyrics in hip-hop history, and “Children’s Story” is the blueprint for narrative storytelling in hip-hop. If you notice some elements of New Jack Swing in the production, it’s because a 15-year old producing genius named Teddy Riley crafted the track’s sound. Their back-and-forth banter brought the live performance element of hip-hop to radio, all while putting the two MCs on the map. With an unforgettable sample of the theme tune to the 80s cartoon Inspector Gadget, Doug E Fresh and Slick Rick released a classic that changed the face of hip-hop culture.

When it comes to the best Slick Rick songs of all time, “The Show” definitely earns its spot. From Kid Capri’s Soundtrack To The Streets compilation, Slick Rick and Snoop Dogg trade bars on “We’re Unified (Track Masters Remix).” The chemistry between the two is undeniable, as the teacher and his star pupil create a classic.Ĭlick to load video 3: The Show (Doug E Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew) When the two finally connected for a duet, the results were historic. Without question, Snoop Dogg’s laidback, melodic flows were inspired by the best Slick Rick songs – The Ruler influenced Snoop so much that the latter covered the classic “La-Di-Da-Di” on his debut album, Doggystyle. 15: We’re Unified (Track Masters Remix) (Kid Capri, featuring Snoop Dogg and Slick Rick) An early example of East and West Coast collaborations, the track found Rick and Warren G fusing the California G-Funk and New York boom-bap sounds.

While the album version of “Behind Bars” was exemplary, featuring production by the one and only Prince Paul, the remix, produced by fellow Def Jam labelmate Warren G, is a slept-on banger as well. Borrowing the hook from “Children’s Story,” “Just Another Case” helped to introduce the hip-hop icon to a new generation of fans after the single went to No.68 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.8 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. South Bronx trio and one-album wonder Cru not only paid homage by sampling Slick Rick’s lyrics for the chorus of “Just Another Case,” but they enlisted The Ruler for a guest verse on the track.

Listen to the best Slick Rick songs on Apple Music and Spotify, and scroll down for our 20 best Slick Rick songs.Ĭlick to load video 17: Just Another Case (Cru, featuring Slick Rick) He’s influenced Snoop Dogg, Nas, Notorious BIG, Jay-Z, OutKast, Ghostface Killah, and a host of others – all of whom have paid tribute to The Ruler. Along with providing numerous guest features and being one of the most sampled artistsin hip-hop history, Slick Rick is one of the true innovators of hip-hop culture. With his humorous narratives, melodic flows, trademark eyepatch, and distinctive British accent, the best Slick Rick songs will be forever synonymous with hip-hop’s first golden era.Īfter dropping his classic debut album, The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick, in 1988, the British-born, Bronx-bred artist followed it up with The Ruler’s Back (1991), Behind Bars (1994), and The Art Of Storytelling(1999). Unlike any MCs before or after him, Slick Rick was a new breed of rapper. Born on January 14, 1965, Richard Martin Lloyd Walters, AKA Slick Rick, unequivocally holds the title of hip-hop’s greatest storyteller.
