THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

A London export with a peculiar accent, a trademark eye patch and a taste for extravagant jewellery, Slick Rick is one of the most unique characters in hip-hop’s history. Rick introduced his brand of vivid, cohesive storytelling to the masses with his 1989 top-five single, ‘Children’s Story’.  Influencing a whole generation of lyricists like Nas and Raekwon, the record has been sampled and even covered by everyone from Run-D.M.C. and A Tribe Called Quest to Lupe Fiasco and The Game.

Anon., Clashmusic

Once upon a time not long ago

When people wore pajamas and lived life slow

When laws were stern and justice stood

And people were behavin’ like they ought ta good

There lived a lil’ boy who was misled

By anotha lil’ boy and this is what he said

“Me and Ty, we gonna make sum cash

Robbin’ old folks and makin’ the dash”

They did the job, money came with ease

But one couldn’t stop, it’s like he had a disease

Slick Rick/Children’s Story