Victory For Ricky D

MC Ricky D, AKA Slick Rick, long immigration journey has finally come to an end http://wcco.com/entertainment/slick.rick.pardoned.2.732101.html.

Rick is arguably the best story teller in Hip-Hop music history. Although Ghostface has been given him a run for his money of late, however Rick still wears the crown in my estimation.

I actually had a chance to see him last summer at a place called the Jewish Mother in Virginia Beach. When I heard he was coming I was amped as the Jew Ma can't hold more then a couple of hundred of people. In fact, the Jew Ma is so small, there is no back stage, the artists enter from a side door right off the street onto the stage . So to have the opportunity to see a legend that close-up was indeed the rarest of treats.

Rick did not disappoint. He did all his hits and had the crowd rocking and sweating in that tiny box. But the thing that stood out most to me was how humble the brother was. Despite his trunk jewelery, and arrogant swagger as an Emcee, Rick was mad cool. During his last song he was signing autographs for the crowd. Cats were handing him their vinyl and he was signing the records right there from the stage while still performing. Even after the show on the street next to the venue he kept singing autographs and taking pictures. And not in the, hurry up and get this shit over with way, but giving each person his undivided attention.

Tthroughout the show he constantly thanked the crowd for the love and support, especially upon his release from prison. He seemed genuinely humbled by the love. Which was a breath of fresh air in this day, when so-called Emcees, who can barely form a sentence, walk around like their shit don't stink and act as if the world owes them something. But I digress.

Rick has to be in most Hip-Hop snobs (that right MR. Rodriguez nothing wrong with being snobbish about this shit LOL) top ten list of Emcees. Rick's rhymes have been more akin to watching a movie. One thing I always thought separated him from many Emcees was his ability to show vulnerability. While most Emcees spend too much time discussing how many hoes they have, or how fly there material possessions are, Rick found ways to add humanity to his rhymes. The song "The Moment I feared" serves as an perfectly example, where he discusses getting yoked by some Brooklyn cats as well as fearing being raped in prison. Now that's real! Not in the bullshit way most talk about "keeping it real." Normally when cats are hollering "keeping it real' it is a justification for some hedonistic endeavor that has nothing to do with most peoples lives.

There has been talk recently of a new Ricky D Album tentatively titled "The Adventure Continues" but in a recent interview Ricky said it was not happening. Rick intimated he was waiting for a mature audience niche before attempting to put another album out. Rick if you hear this I would tell you that audience is out here and we are starving to hear something from you! I implore you, get to the studio!!

Anyway, Big Up to Governor David Patterson, who is obviously not blind to the facts, and allowed one of Hip-Hop's finest to stay put here is the U.S., and inshallah provide more bangers in the future.