Slick Rick Interview...."yeah for the UK Peeps"

[Hambone (Guest)]

Features:
Slick Rick The Ruler
written by Giselle Wasfie
Monday - May 14, 2001



"Hauk, who goes yonder?
It is I, sire, Richard of Nottingham.
Well, speak up man, what is it?
News from the east, sire, Rick the Ruler has returned!" - The Rules Back

Slick Rick is the ruler. And, he's coming back to reclaim his rap kingdom. Although his new album is still mostly a vision, the potential and anticipation is huge. Now he's letting you be a part of the dream with his Online Producer Project with Def Jam. SOHH caught up with the smoothed out rap legend to talk about the new joint, his double-duty as a Bronx landlord and how he wrote classics like "Mona Lisa" and "Children's Story." Same honeyed voice with a touch of a British accent, same Slick Rick we all know and love!

How has Hip-Hop changed since you got in the game?

I think it's become more advanced in terms of concepts, the raps are more skillful, advanced. There's a lot more gangsta rap. In general, there's a lot more appreciation for rap. When we started people said rap might be a passing phase. Now there are movies, major rap jingles in Pepsi commercials and it's much more mainstream.

What do you think about these changes?

I think they're pretty much positive. It's open more horizons for rappers if you have genuine skills. The negative is that there's a lot of gangsta orientated rap and ra ra. There's some cleaning up that has to happen today.

What do you think about artists use your work as influence (like Snoop Doggy Dogg and "La Di Da Di?")

It's an honor. You feel like you've made an impression on this generation. You realize your work wasn't in vain-your stories, humor, etcera, etcera.

What's it like working on the new album?

It's like more upscale, not like wealth-centered. It's to entertain an older crowd-topics that pertain to person with kids, married, working-it's not necessarily for kids in high school. It's topics of whatever we go through at 30 and sh*t like that-a mortage, a woman...topics that adults think about. It's genuine entertainment for an adult, but it's not preachy. I wanna make records that are not too silly; records that have more substance

[Hambone (Guest)]

What's a typical day like for Slick Rick?

Well now, I'm pretty much anxious about new album. I also have a couple of building in Bronx and me and my mom purchased. So, I tend to them, they're like two/three family joints.

How do folks react to having Slick Rick as their landlord?

(Laughs) They're cool but some people due trip of the fact!

Where is the new album at now?

We're in the beginning phrases. I had an idea that I ran by my label that besides getting a bunch of producers together we'd run the Internet thing...

You're talking about the online producer?

It'll probably catch on. I got the idea because I call tracks "Writing Paper" that I put my voice over. I'm looking for good writing paper. I get to pick.

What's your favorite Slick Rick song?

I like "Children's Story." It's lively and still makes me dance and have fun. I like the song I did with OutKast too.

Who do you like in rap now?

I like OutKast - I like one track here and there from lots of artists like Busta Rhymes, Method Man, R.Kelly, lotta different people.

What else to you listen to?

I listen to the classic songs that have an emotional sound to them. I like The Beatles. I like real soulful songs that made number one. I like composing a whole song. Almost like writing a beginning, topic and ending...almost like an essay.

Like with "Children's Story," the beginning talks about how robbery is bad, and then I'm going to tell you why, and then I told story of kid who did it and this is why you shouldn't.

How'd you write "Mona Lisa?"

That was something more like I liked the track and just wrote anything on it. I just wrote and wrote and continued, continued and it turned out to be a nice, hot track.

Are there any producers you're wanting to work with?

There are a lotta great producers out there. I just want all my tracks to be good tracks. Everyone knows who the big dogs is and I already know. I'll definitely step to them too, but I just want a good track to rhyme on and I don't care who gives it to me.

[Trauma-san]

"I like The Beatles"

Another One For The Goodguys

[Hambone (Guest)]

haha

yep yep..