Released after his classic Great Adventures album, Slick Rick's "The Ruler's Back" is a classic in its own right. I'm guessing that since it had a different feel and vibe altogether than Great Adventures people put it back on the shelf. Big mistake. While not as solid a record as the groundbreaking "Great Adventures Of Slick Rick", this album is full of gems. Considering it was done while Rick was in jail, this is an exceptional album. Makes me wonder how great it could have been had he been out of jail. I remember seeing the videos for I Shouldn't Have Done It and Mistakes Of A Woman back in 1991 and thinking damn, these beats are off the hook. It wasn't until I bought the album years later (and by this time it was on CD, it was originally on cassette tape and vinyl) that I was able to absorb Rick's lyrical genius. Excellent production by DJ Vance Wright. The beats are really original and hip hop today should learn from it. From the uptempo I Shouldn't Have Done It, to the whimsical ditty Top Cat, to the slower and more serious Mistakes and Runaway, Rick delivers with an uncanny lyrical talent and his signature storytelling ability. No rapper out now can match Rick's lyrical ability or Vance Wright's original and innovative beats. Truly in a class by himself, Slick Rick in my opinion surpasses many of his peers who came out the same time he did. Do your ears a favor, buy all this man's albums and remember what real hip hop is supposed to sound like.
September 30, 2007 |  | Rick shows he still has the technique.................. |  |
It would have been better if he was home at the the time. It's a pretty good album with uptempo bouncy beats.
Top Joints:
I Shouldn't Have Done It
Bond
Moses
Tonto
It's A Boy (The Joint)
Top Cat
February 21, 2007| | | Rushed by Rush...a mighty cross to bear | |
Considering the circumstances surrounding this album, Slick Rick could be excused for phoning it in. Indeed, the prospect of phoning in his rhymes from the Island, and the unenviable task of following up an undisputed classic...why, that's a mighty cross to bear. Doesn't quite feel like a complete work, but the man hasn't lost his knack for narrative. The beats are dense, the drums so hard and fast they'd slap you like it was Tuesday. Large Pro on the ghost production? Extra P did officially contribute a non-LP remix of "It's a Boy". Me, I prefer the "Mr. Magic" sampling version here. "Moses" finds Rick kicking it OT style (that's old testament, baby) over a reggae break, and it's the obvious highlight. Yeah, there's a misstep or three. "Ship" just sucks, and that house remix of "Teacher Teacher"...what was Def Jam thinking? Still, it's a miracle this is anything but a disaster, let alone a decent record. A lost gem? Hardly. An uneven period piece that's worth a few spins? That's the ticket, man.
April 5, 2006 | | "You really shouldn't have done it" | |
Although the first album smashed this one like porsche to a wall, i gotta say that with some very savvy lyrics he kept this one afloat barely. But i will give credit where credit is do, "Mistakes of a woman in love with other men" & i shouldn't have done it got my money and til' this day both cd's sit in my changer in prime condition. Hey! it's a young world....
June 7, 2005 | | School is in Session...Today's Topic: An epic 2nd effort! | |
Goodness. Rick, Rick, Rick, Rick...where have you been after your 'adventures' in your first album? This 2nd album not only proves that he can cut lyrics like a knife to butter but he can also bring unheard beats that till this day I wish someone back in the day can bring it back and show what TRUE rap music is!
From his epic song 'I shouldn't Have Done It' that described his actual TRUE story of killing someone to being a father on 'It's a Boy', Slick Rick proved he can stay in the game with his power with his rhyming. He even went as far as bringing his OWN way of telling a story from the BIBLE called 'Moses'!!!
Well class, what have we learned? We learned that Slick Rick flowed his energy into his music and made it into art. We also learned that although he had issues in his real life but he managed to even have faith with the man upstairs and paid homage to him.
As for your homework, I intend to you all to go out, look for this CD, buy it, listen to it, and tell me if it had put any sense into your minds of what TRUE hip hop was back then and what we wish it would come back.
Thank you class, now, you can go home! June 1, 2004
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