Slick Rick To Receive Latin Mixx "Mixx Cares Humanitarian Award"

Congratulations are in order for "The Ruler"! Slick Rick is the 2015 Latin Mixx "Mixx Cares Humanitarian Award" recipient. The Latin Mixx Conference and Awards is a premier DJ conference that is accredited for their exclusivity of the Latin DJ market. The Latin Mixx Conference creates a unique and effective way to unify key influential figures within the Latin market with up and coming DJs, entrepreneurs, artists and many more.

The Latin Mixx Awards creators and committee feel that Slick Rick’s contributions to the music industry are so significant that they transcend to the new generations. He is an inspiration, mentor and Leader to the music community. His musical career is an example of hard work and perseverance that is to be admired and celebrated. We would also like to shed light to his philanthropic endeavors which have allowed him to remain in touch with the youth of the community and help them flourish in life and academics.

Celebrate this amazing honor with Slick Rick and join him at Stage48 in New York City on Thursday, July 30th. Get tickets HERE.

Slick Rick & Ras Baraka Take Over Central High School

Round two of The Ruler's educational seminars landed him in Central High School. There, he was involved in a Q&A conversation moderated by Ras Baraka, Principal of Central High School and Council Member of Newark, NJ. The student body, administrators and staff assembled in the auditorium and learned about overcoming struggles, the ups and downs of the music industry, safe sex practices, having self-confidence and the importance of having an education.

Mr. Baraka said the following; “Through Rick’s first-hand experiences, he taught our students to make informed decisions, explore self-creativity and overcome struggle despite life’s setbacks.”

Rick adds: “I’ve been hearing about the decline in high school graduates and schools closing around the city. I hope I can be a service to these young individuals and along with their educators, help open pathways of knowledge and success and help keep them encouraged.”  

Slick Rick Live at will.i.am's Trans4m Charity Concert

The 2014 "Trans4m" Benefit concert raised more than $2.4 million for the Will.i.am's i.am.angel Foundation, according to event organizers. The group provides educational support for students in the underprivileged section of East Los Angeles.

It was an old-school party at will.i.am's annual pre-GRAMMY charity concert as veteran rap stars like Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh rocked a capacity crowd along with the likes of Bell Biv DeVoe, Chaka Khan and Sergio Mendes.

January 9th is "Slick Rick the Ruler Day"!

A moment in hip-hop history occurred on January 9, 2015, as music veteran Slick Rick the Ruler kicked off his 50th birthday celebration with a memorable performance at their annual Brooklyn Bowl bash. Another moment in history of the evening was Rick being honored by Mr. Ruben Diaz Jr., President of The Borough of the Bronx, who stated that “on behalf of its 1.4 million residents and on the occasion of the rapper’s 50th birthday, proclaim January 9th, 2015 as Slick Rick the Ruler Day in the Bronx.”

Slick Rick Performs at 7th Annual Music Saves Lives

Music Saves Lives is a charity created to educate about important life-saving causes and to use all forms of music and entertainment to motivate and connect the music and entertainment industry to life-saving community action. These simple commitments, like donating blood, running a blood drive, and registering for the marrow program to save those with leukemia and other blood disorders, all connect back to strengthening the community.

Make a donation to Music Saves Lives HERE.

Slick Rick Honored at "Living the Dream" Awards

During the 50th Anniversary of “Living Your Dream” Awards Luncheon, a gathering organized by the esteemed Alpha Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Ricky Walters was honored with the "Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to his community". Larry Scott-Blackmon, event chairperson was the master of ceremony for thheon. His words brought the room to tears, including Rick and wife, Mandy Aragones-Walters.

‘This gentleman’s contribution to the culture that is hip-hop is incomparable. The path that he has traveled and kept his foot in the pavement has been unremarkable. We want to recognize him for his fortitude, for his perseverance and for his constant fight in the face of injustice, and that’s what Brother King was about, standing up to injustice.”

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: