Slick Rick Spreads Holiday Cheer at Riker's Island

It was a very emotional day for the party of seven that accompanied Ricky Walters, better known by his peers as MC Ricky D or Slick Rick, to Riker’s Island - one of the countries largest and most notorious jail systems located in the borough of Queens, NY. For Ricky, this day was more than just Christmas Eve. He opted out of spending time with his family in the Bronx to spend time with the inmates housed in the C-76 building of the Island, the same building Rick was housed in when he was an inmate. Walking the hallways of the building, he was greeted by the excited officers, staff members and those calling Riker’s their home for a period of time. “I’ve made mistakes in my life that have cost me a lot. I have spent time away from my family during the holidays and although I cannot take that back, I hope the inmates can learn from my mistakes."

**Prisoners faces have been obscured to protect their identity**

Slick Rick Continues his Philanthropic Journey in Newark

Ricky Martin Lloyd Walters, better known by his stage moniker Slick Rick, continues his philanthropic journey in Newark. During Rick’s visit to MLK Jr. School, the students learned first hand how to conquer stage fright, embrace individuality and follow their dreams.

The students remained attentive as Rick talked about his humble beginnings, how he fell in love with his craft, how he learned from his rough habitat and embraced unexpected change.

“Age has nothing to do with intelligence,” says Rick, “although these students were in grade school, they asked very mature questions about my history and how I overcame my struggle and I had to tell them exactly what it was, I kept my head high and although I made mistakes, I learned from them”  

Slick Rick Speaks to the Students of South Florida

Schools throughout the South Florida community hosted Hip Hop Legend Slick Rick. Students learned about the rapper's impressive and influential body of work, insight on how to get in the music industry as well as the sacrifices he made to make it in the business. He also spoke about the history of Hip Hop and the impact its' had on our culture today.

From A Fan: "The One and Only Slick Rick"

"I got an email from a good friend eat about 6 p.m. tonight telling me that Slick Rick was going to be giving a lecture at the Miami Dade College Kendall campus. Slick Rick, one of the original emcees from the 1980s, is not to be missed. I was amped to see the art of storytelling according to Slick Rick. I made my way over to the campus and linked up with my friend. We walked over to the music department where Slick Rick was tucked into a classroom. Hiphop heads from across the campus all came in to hear what Slick Rick had to say.

He didn’t really give a lecture, but he engaged the participants in a question and answer session. I asked Slick a question on whether the youth coming up should be schooled in the history of Hiphop culture as a way of reclaiming Hiphop from the corporations. His take on the question was that veterans serving in Iraq when they come back to America, and begin to put their experience into their rhymes and the people have a choice over authentic experience or mediocre sludge, the people will choose the quality.

Another point that really hit home was that Slick Rick also said that you could be the most conscious rapper in the world but if you are whack then you are whack, or if you are fresh then you are fresh. The point being that in order to get ahold the attention of the public Hiphop artist must come from a point of being original and authentic.

It was a great surprise to wander onto the MDC campus and hear one of the founders of the original old school HipHop. Slick might have been missing his eyepatch, but his soul was in full effect. Long Live the real Hiphop!"

- Article from LucidCommunication.com: