• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
    • Wellness on the Yard
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Lifestyle / Celebrity Health / Slick Rick: The Storyteller 35 Years Later

Slick Rick: The Storyteller 35 Years Later

;s.-(Photo credit: Pinterest)Slick Rick (born Ricky Walters) was born in London, England, in 1965, and moved to New York City when he was 11, a time when hip-hop culture was just beginning to form.

In the 1980s, Rick’s ability to tell a story earned him fame as Slick Rick, the gold-draped rapper, also known as Rick the Ruler, with an eye patch and an English accent whose adventures propelled him to stardom. That was followed by prison time for a shooting, immigration problems and — to his relief — a 2008 pardon from Gov. David A. Paterson of New York.

He came into prominence in the early to mid-‘80s with his partner-in-rhyme, Doug E. Fresh, and their group, the Get Fresh Crew. It was their hit songs, “The Show” and “La Di Da Di” that brought Rick to the forefront and ultimately got him his record deal.

But how they got that record deal was an act of faith.

You May Also Like
View Our Resources To Better Understand How Clinical Trials May Help Advance Research

In his book Life & Def, Russell Simmons tells the story of a drug episode that went bad for Slick Rick. “I first met Slick Rick at a nuthouse. He’d smoked too much angel dust and had to stay in a mental ward for a few days,” Simmons wrote. “Rick Rubin at Def Jam and Lyor Cohen at Rush Management both thought we should sign him. So I went with Rick to meet him at the hospital. Ricky was completely out of it. I’d seen a lot of people in that dusty state in the street—I’d been that way myself—so I knew that after a few days he’d be fine.”

Much of Rick’s early drug use stemmed from the accident that now led him to wear his signature eye patch. Before the patch, Slick Rick used to just wear dark sun glasses when he went to rhyme at local hip hop shows trying to sharpen his skills as an MC. At only 18 months old, he was left blinded in the right eye after a window broke and his eye was struck by glass. If caught at the time of the incident, partial vision of that eye could have returned.

The injury had a huge impact on his personal development, psyche and, eventually, the history of hip hop. “I was always pretty shy because of the eye”, he says, “so rather than going out and playing sports, I stayed indoors and wrote stories.”

You May Also Like
13 Signs You Need to See a Dermatologist

Using an eye patch like Rick’s is actually a treatment used for children who have been struck or have vision problems in one eye.

(Photo credit: BET.com)

Amblyopia is a vision problem that occurs in a child when one eye is not used enough for the visual system in the brain to develop properly. This leads to poor vision in the affected eye.

Treatment corrects amblyopia by training the brain to use the eye that has weaker vision. This allows vision to…

Continue Reading

The Latest In Celebrity Health

75 Where??? How Grace Jones Stays Slaying Us at 75

The 5'10" statuesque physique. The bone structure. The trendsetting hair. The voice that gave us classic hits like, "Pull Up To My Bumper" and "I"m Not Perfect." Jamaican singer, actress and model Grace Jones is a certifiable icon who is read more about 75 Where??? How Grace Jones Stays Slaying Us at 75

Football Legend Undergoing Procedure for Year-Long Hiccups

One of the most well-known and successful sports campaigns in history was about Hall-of-Famer Bo Jackson. The slogan "Bo Knows" by Nike was everywhere as it talked about how super-athlete Bo Jackson not only played professional football for the NFL, read more about Football Legend Undergoing Procedure for Year-Long Hiccups

Jamie Foxx Out of the Hospital! Reportedly Starting Rehab

It seems like there is some good news regarding singer and actor Jamie Foxx who has been hospitalized for over a month. He has reportedly been discharged from the hospital and now receiving care in Chicago at the renowned Shirley read more about Jamie Foxx Out of the Hospital! Reportedly Starting Rehab
Serena Williams

Serena Williams Announces Baby No. 2!

Serena Williams revealed that she is expecting a second baby The tennis champion, 41, posted a carousel on Instagram with pictures of her husband, Alexis Ohanian aided with the caption “Was so excited when Anna Wintour invited the 3 of read more about Serena Williams Announces Baby No. 2!
Jamie Foxx

UPDATE: Jamie Foxx’s Family Is ‘Preparing for the Worst’ While Hoping for the Best

It has been reported that Jamie Foxx's family is ‘preparing for the worst' as his health continues to decline after suffering a medical emergency. However, they still have hope that he will make a full recovery. Back in early April, read more about UPDATE: Jamie Foxx’s Family Is ‘Preparing for the Worst’ While Hoping for the Best

Jamie Foxx’s First Words Since Hospitalization: “Appreciate the Love!”

As time progresses, actor, comedian, singer, and entertainer Jamie Foxx has been hospitalized for nearly a month. While bits and pieces about the actor's health have been leaked, we don't know much. But a glimmer of hope shined as Jamie read more about Jamie Foxx’s First Words Since Hospitalization: “Appreciate the Love!”

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Lionel Richie Shares His Top 3 ‘Anti-Aging Secrets’Lionel Richie Shares His Top 3 ‘Anti-Aging Secrets’
  • Angela Bassett 7-Year Journey to Parenthood: Enjoy the JourneyAngela Bassett 7-Year Journey to Parenthood: Enjoy the Journey
  • ‘COVID Toes’ Might Be a Sign You Had the Disease'COVID Toes' Might Be a Sign You Had the Disease
  • YouTuber and Relationship ‘Expert’ Kevin Samuels Cause of Death RevealedYouTuber and Relationship 'Expert' Kevin Samuels Cause of Death Revealed
  • Football Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes AmputatedFootball Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes Amputated

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.