Mc Ricky D from London, England is considered by many to be one of the greatest. This is odd, considering that this album was really had to show for. From what I've gathered his sophmore attempt was pure horse shit, and his later albums were nothing to be proud of. So the fact that he is considered great, based solely on this performance, leaves a hell of a lot to be expected from Rick.
All the production is taken care of by Rick and Eric Sadler, and after one listen you can tell this shit came straight out of the '80s. For most of you all, that will probably turn you off, as the time period for this music has passed but I've always loved the beats and consider them a key piece to the albums greatness.
With all that being said, a track by track analysis of this "classic" is in order to see of it truly deserves such a label.
1. Treat Her Like a Prostitute
It seems as though Rick thinks very little of some women. In this song he uses his well documented story telling ability to talk about how awful women can be. I'm not quite sure what the purpose of this song was except for it being really funny. You learn off the bat how unafraid Rick is to tear society to shreds.
2. The Ruler's Back
A big question you ask yourself while listening to this album is, "why the hell wasn't this track one" as it introduces Slick Rick. This is one of my favorite instrumentals ever, yet might not be my favorite on the album. The beats on this album are classic '80's and have an awesome feel to them. Lyrically i hardly remember the song, but the instrumental is dope as hell.
3. Children's Story
This is a really scary story. Parent ATTENTION: do not let Slick Rick put you children to bed. I can imagine being a child and having my one-eyed uncle telling me a story of a teenage kid robbing old people and then getting gunned down by the police. Now that my friends is how we get to childhood trauma. All jokes aside this song is an absolute classic. The story telling is incredible, which is why you can visualize it so well. This along with his flow just set up for an amazing track.
4. The Moment I feared
Unlike some of the other songs on this album, you may never have heard of this track, which is a damn crime. This song is just really damn good, not much else to say. If my lack of words strikes you as odd, listen to the track and you'll see why.
5. Lets Get Crazy
Here we are track 5 and I already love this album. This song just builds the crazy momentum Ricky has built. This is just another amazing song. He has already won me over, just incredible all around thus far.
6. Indian Girl
This is where one might resent the amazing vivid story telling of our friend Rick. This just gets somewhat disgusting. That by no means makes this a bad song, just kind of sick. At one point if I'm after destroying her sexually all night, her vagina actually talks. No let me correct myself if that sounds to ridiculous, it just performs an Indian tribal chant. I mean what the hell. I've actually heard this song is just a huge allegory about the birth of the United States. Take another listen and you'll understand how smart Ricky was.
7.Teenage Love
We all know Slick Rick can tell a hell of a story, but for me this takes it to a new level. Some people may consider this an odd song for the hip-hop genre, but I love it, and it is a classic. One of the great parts about this song is that, this shit really happens. I challenge any teenage person who has been with someone to listen to this and not find it relatable.
8. Mona Lisa
So did Ricky meet a girl named Mona Lisa. This is a very entertaining song, but despite my usual beliefs you really don't have to listen to the story to be entertained. While it is a fun little story, the upbeat sound is just some good listening, overall a forgettable track.
9.Kit (What's the Scoop)
While enjoying this album thoroughly go ahead and skip this track, it offers little to nothing.
10.Hey Young World
If you are going to sit there and tell me this isn't one of the best songs ever, shut down your computer and go to bed you stupid asshole. This has an amazing message to the masses, quit being a dumb ass. He insults the current meaning of cool and tells you how to live. Keep in mind this is from 1988. If Slick Rick still had any ability to make records like this, he'd lose his mind insulting the 2013 culture. The Ruler Rick delivers yet another undeniable classic.
11. Teacher, Teacher
I love this song. His flow is on point, the beat is really good, and his style truly is unique to this day no one has duplicated it. One thing that has to bother any true hip-hop fan is how he blatantly ripping off Krs-one and BDP's "T'cha T'cha". Yo Rick, you can't change the spelling of a song and expect it to be original. In my mind Krs is the only teacher, but nonetheless this song i really good.
12. Lick the Balls
Oh, you weren't expecting a song in which Ricky asks you to lick his testicles, well you were mistaken. This song is really enjoyable from a lyrical, flow, and instrumental standpoint. But yes, rather than a true hook, Rick gives you permission to lick his balls. This song also contains an odd amount of profanity compared to the rest of the album, which isn't bad, just a change.
Rating: 5/5
You may dispute this as a classic, and if so this blog is not for you. In the eyes of someone who has enjoyed more hip-hop then most people, I am telling you this is a damn classic. How you could see it any differently baffles me. I dislike, no, despise British rappers, but Slick Rick breaks the mold and puts on a hell of a show throughout this whole albume. Do yourself and buy this as quickly as your Itunes account will load. Im serious, buy the absolute shit out of this album, you won't regret it. If you don't like it after a listen then I can't help you, your musical taste just sucks.