Hip-Hop Icon Collects Honor Alongside #MeToo Founder Tawana Burke and Actress Maggie Siff, As His The Great Adventures of Slick Rick Approaches 30th Anniversary Milestone Read more: Cultures Collide as Slick Rick and the Bleachers Rock the Hard Rock Hotel.
NEW YORK � MAY 15, 2018 � On Sunday May 20th, Slick Rick will be added to the illustrious Bronx Walk of Fame, the highest honor bestowed on a resident or former resident of the Bronx, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz has announced. With the 30th anniversary of his debut classic The Great Adventures of Slick Rick looming, the Grammy-nominated rapper was inducted during a ceremony kicking off the 47th annual Bronx Week, running through May 20 this year. Rounding out the list of newest Walk of Fame inductees are #MeToo founder Tarana Burke and actress Maggie Siff, who portrays Wendy Rhoades in the Showtime series Billions. The Bronx natives will share the distinction of being permanently recognized on street signs along Grand Concourse.
“We’re proud to welcome back the sons and daughters of The Bronx to celebrate their accomplishments and induct them to the Bronx Walk of Fame,” said Diaz. Olga Luz Tirado, executive director of The Bronx Tourism Council added, “It’s exciting to celebrate our Bronx heroes and sheroes during this celebration of the best of the borough.”
Released November 1, 1988, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick has remained one of hip-hop’s most enduring and influential albums of all time. At the time of its release, during rap’s “golden era,” the recording earned a rare five-mic score from The Source magazine. It remained at the top of Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for ten weeks, producing the hit singles “Mona Lisa”, “Children’s Story,” “The Ruler’s Back,” “Hey Young World” and “Teenage Love.”
Three more acclaimed albums followed on the iconic Def Jam Records, and Rick collaborated with dozens of fellow artists within and outside of his genre. He even made an appearance in his fair share of movies and videos. In 2018, Rick remained the most sampled hip-hop artist of all times. His compositions have been chopped, interpolated and incorporated well over 650 times. The rapper’s passions have also led to him devoting much time to mentoring youth and raising awareness of issues affecting underserved communities.
Bronx Hall of Fame inductees consist of singers, actors, writers, athletes, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and notable public figures, including Stanley Kubrick, Tony Orlando, Diahann Carroll, Red Buttons, and U.S. military general and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
