26 years after his last release and 37 years after his solo debut, Slick Rick is still telling colorful stories through rhythmic prose over tight beats. In June, the 60-year-old released Victory, a visual album that aims to redefine storytelling, legacy, and the power of imagination with sound, style, and soul.
Earlier this month, Slick Rick invited an intimate audience to the historic Westlake Studios in Los Angeles to screen the short film. Directed by Meji Alabi, who worked on Beyoncé’s Black Is King, the project weaves narratives from different stages of the rapper’s life and was filmed across Europe, the United States, and Africa. Guests excitedly grabbed the closest seat in the relaxed setting, as they patiently awaited the arrival of the style icon.
He also worked with photographer Jonathan Mannion and brand storytellers Equator Studios on the film. The music itself was mixed by Young Guru.
Slick Rick arrived with his wife and business partner, Mandy Aragones, right by his side. Ushered to the stage, he spoke with poet J. Ivy about the creative inspiration behind VICTORY and the work that went into bringing the album to fruition. The session ended with a standing ovation for the film and Slick Rick proudly at the center of it all.
“When you fulfill yourself, you fulfill others. So first job is to fulfill yourself, make sure you feel fulfilled in yourself, and then it’ll resonate to others,” he detailed to VIBE as the studio cleared out. “Pretty much, I’m fulfilling myself, my hunger, my inner hunger, and then it goes out to other people, like a duplicate.”
Executive produced by the Hip-Hop veteran with Idris Elba, who also raps on “Badman Generation,” the project also features collaborations with Nas, Giggs, and a special contribution from Estelle. Additionally, VICTORY was collaboratively released by Idris Elba’s 7WALLACE record label and Mass Appeal Records.
“I think it was just two kids having fun in the studio. It was just finding scraps, a melody that we liked, put a drum track to it, find a story that fits it and complements it, and then we just ran with it to entertain ourselves, and then bring it out to the rest of the world,” explained The Ruler of working with Idris Elba. “I knew he liked rap and I know he likes to DJ. Because he comes from my environment, I wasn’t really surprised that he was good. We complemented each other, so we had fun. His TV celebrity, my little rap, and then we’re off to the races.”
He continued, “Nas is Mass Appeal, and he’s family. We have known each other for a while and we always have fun together. Giggs is an English artist. I wanted to bring in some English artists, give it a little variety, so that was it. We have an English rapper and we have an American rapper and we give it a little nice variety, a nice little melting pot.”
Described as “a tale of fiction for the mind,” VICTORY exists as a colorful, cross-continental homage to Slick Rick’s roots and testimony to his existence as one of rap’s freshest minds and most revered poets.
“Collaborating with Slick Rick The Ruler on his first album in 26 years was incredible. Being able to create visuals to such a monumental piece and with a storyteller and icon like Slick Rick was an experience,” described Alabi in a statement. “I’m going to cherish forever and can’t wait for the world to see what he has in store for them.”
Watch the VICTORY short film above and stream the album below.
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