RAP – Street Line Video

Karine “Sho-Time” Thornton: American Media Producer and Cultural Curator

Karine “Sho-Time” Thornton is an American media figure, content producer, casting director, actor, and cultural curator based in New York City. He first gained recognition during the DVD era of the early to mid-2000s, a period when independent filmers and documentarians became central to capturing the street-level development of hip-hop culture. Thornton built his reputation by documenting emerging artists, neighborhood cypher’s, local events, and behind-the-scenes moments that rarely appeared in mainstream music media. His early footage circulated throughout New York’s hip-hop communities and contributed to a visual record of talent and subculture that preceded the rise of social media platforms.

Thornton later expanded his work into the digital landscape with the creation of Sho-TimeTV, a media platform dedicated to sharing independent music, battle rap performances, artist interviews, cultural commentary, and community-based creative expression. Sho-TimeTV became known for its focus on authenticity and raw documentation rather than heavily commercialized or industry-polished presentation. The platform supported artists who were developing outside of label infrastructure and helped preserve elements of New York’s evolving underground music identity.

Thornton’s work has been closely connected to the growth and visibility of battle rap as both a performance art and an industry sector. His consistent presence at live events, recording sessions, rap leagues, and rehearsal spaces allowed him to capture emerging talent at pivotal stages of their careers. This positioned him as both an archivist of cultural activity and an active participant within the creative networks he documented. His approach emphasized the idea that cultural preservation includes the everyday and informal spaces in which artistic identity is formed.

In the 2020s, Thornton transitioned from documenting culture to taking a more direct role in the shaping and production of media. He appears in the independent comedy-horror film The Legend of Johnnie Shepard, written and directed by Vera Edwards and produced by StreetLineVideo Films. Alongside his on-screen role, Thornton served as Casting Director for the project. In that capacity, he helped identify, evaluate, and align talent that matched the film’s tone, character needs, and cultural voice. His casting work focused on ensuring that the film’s portrayal of personality, environment, and dialogue reflected real community dynamics rather than stylized interpretations.

Thornton also contributed to the film’s press planning, promotional coordination, and festival rollout strategy, representing a broadening of his involvement in media infrastructure. His responsibilities included coordinating public messaging, introducing the project to press and digital audiences, and managing cultural placement opportunities. These tasks indicate a shift in Thornton’s career from on-camera presence to behind-the-scenes leadership within creative production ecosystems.

In addition to film work, Thornton is developing a reality-based women’s talk show casting series. The series centers interpersonal dialogue, emotional expression, and lived perspective, emphasizing personality and authenticity over influencer branding or staged dramatization. The project aims to provide a platform for women who engage culture through experience and presence rather than through curated performative identity. Thornton’s involvement includes concept structure, casting guidance, production planning, and tone direction.

Thornton is also developing a personal narrative film titled Without Saying a Word. The project examines themes such as professional growth, loyalty, creative independence, emotional restraint, and the strategic decisions required to navigate entertainment environments. The film draws from Thornton’s professional experiences, focusing on how relationships, reputations, and choices influence long-term creative sustainability. Its tone is introspective and situates Thornton’s public work within a broader personal context.

Thornton’s current areas of focus include casting, film and digital media production, cultural narrative development, talent support, strategic partnerships, and live media event coordination. He continues to expand into collaborations with filmmakers, independent streaming platforms, artists, and cultural event organizers. His career direction emphasizes ownership of creative output, long-form storytelling, and the establishment of platforms that document, develop, and shape emerging cultural voices.

The current phase of Thornton’s work reflects an effort to move from being a recorder of cultural history to a guiding participant in determining how that history is produced, interpreted, and remembered. His ongoing projects align with the goal of building sustainable cultural media infrastructure rooted in authenticity and long-term community representation.

All Hail the Xplosive One: Distruck’s Solo Return Neutralize the Human Bomb? Highly unlikely!

Distruck, one of Yonkers, New York’s most consistent, sharp, and commanding voices, has been making his presence impossible to ignore in 2025. His name has been circulating through performance spaces, studio rooms, cypher’s, and now film sets, all with the same message: he’s applying pressure. Not quietly, not casually, but with intention. Every move this year has been purposeful, strategic, and rooted in proving what he already knows about himself. He is an artist cut from a cloth that is becoming rare.

You can hear it in the way he delivers a verse. You can see it in the way he stands on stage. You can feel it in the way crowds respond.

This year alone, Distruck moved through the city and beyond, touching stages where the culture still matters. He delivered standout bars in Goodz’s Slick Talk Cypher 4, a setting where only sharpened pens and unshakeable presence hold weight. He traveled to Connecticut for a cypher hosted by Sho-Time TV, performing alongside battle rap heavyweight and Wild ’N Out icon Charlie Clips, matching energy and intensity bar for bar. These weren’t just appearances. They were statements. They were moments that reminded people what a real MC sounds like.

But his efforts didn’t stay confined to the mic. Distruck has also been expanding into film, securing upcoming roles that further showcase his range. This move into acting isn’t surprising for those who understand the depth in his storytelling. The way he writes, the way he expresses tone and emotion, the way he captures lived experience in his music, all translate naturally to the screen. He has the look, the voice, the discipline, and most importantly, the presence. He does not just rap well. He communicates.

And now, Distruck is closing out the fourth quarter of the year in a way that’s making the industry pay attention. On November 28th, he releases All Hail The Xplosive 1, his first solo album since 2022. This is not a mixtape, not a teaser, not a collection of loose records. This is a complete, fully realized body of work. Ten records. Zero features. The choice to carry an entire album alone is deliberate. It signals something clear. Distruck wants listeners to hear his voice without interruption. He wants to show that the message, the sound, the pen, and the presence stand on their own.

The project title says everything. This is a coronation, but not a self-proclaimed one. It is a moment of self-affirmation that reflects years of consistency, work ethic, and resilience. Distruck didn’t arrive overnight. He didn’t chase shortcuts, trends, or gimmicks. He built this moment piece by piece.

The rollout reinforces that tone. The new visual for About That, shot by Foggy Lenz, pushes the narrative forward with mood, grit, and cinematic framing that reflects the intensity of the music. The video does not try to sell an image. It captures who Distruck already is. Raw. Focused. Battle-tested. A product of Yonkers who wears that identity with pride and deeper understanding, not just toughness.

All Hail The Xplosive 1 sounds like an artist locked in. The bars are razor sharp. The pacing is intentional. The emotion isn’t exaggerated, it’s lived. There’s hunger. There’s maturity. There’s storytelling. There’s command. This is the work of an artist who understands his voice and is no longer interested in proving what he can do. He’s simply doing it.

This isn’t just another album drop. It’s a reintroduction. A leveling up. A reminder for those who forgot and a wake-up call for those who never tapped in. Distruck is not here to be overlooked. He’s not waiting for permission. He’s not chasing validation.

He is stepping into his moment fully, and this project marks the beginning of that new chapter.

All Hail The Xplosive 1 will be available on all platforms November 28th. The year ends with impact. The next one begins with momentum already in motion. The Xplosive One has arrived.

Vague and Distruck: A Duo Stepping Into Their Era

Vague and the newest Grind Season member Distruck are quickly proving themselves to be one of the most dynamic, well-balanced duos on the rise right now. The chemistry between the two is natural, nothing forced or manufactured. They feed off each other’s energy, sharpen each other’s delivery, and push one another to elevate every time they step into the booth. In a time where collaborations often feel temporary or based on convenience, their partnership stands out because it is rooted in authenticity and respect for the art.

Their first collaborative EP, Triple Stack, made an immediate impact. It didn’t just introduce their sound, it stamped their presence. Listeners gravitated to the hunger, the rawness, the confidence, and the lyrical command both artists displayed. Triple Stack moved like something from creatives who already understood their role in the culture and were ready to show the world.

Now they return with Triple Stack 2, a follow-up that builds on everything they started. The new EP delivers three hard-hitting records that carry the same intensity, precision, and originality as before, but with a noticeable level-up. The growth is clear. The delivery is sharper. The chemistry is even stronger. This is the sound of two artists stepping deeper into who they are.

Vague brings a seasoned presence, a voice that knows how to lead a track with charisma and clarity. Distruck brings fire and urgency, a hunger that you can feel with every line. Together, they create a balance that’s rare. Every bar has intention. Every verse feels like a statement. Nothing is wasted.

Triple Stack 2 isn’t just another release. It’s another building block in something bigger. A foundation, a direction, a signal that they are just getting started. If you’ve been paying attention, this confirms what you already sensed. If you’re just tuning in, this is the perfect point to catch the momentum.

Triple Stack 2 is available now on all platforms. Listen in and witness the evolution as it happens.

Confetti Da Reala Soulja: Texas Bred Underground King Turning Pain Into Power

Confetti Da Reala Soulja is more than an artist he’s a story you feel. Born and raised in Texas, Confetti carries the weight, wisdom, and raw hunger of the streets in every bar he delivers. Recognized as one of the most authentic voices rising from the underground, he built his reputation through real struggle, real lessons, and real elevation. No gimmicks. No fabrication. Just truth.

His music isn’t just rap it’s survival translated into sound. Every verse speaks for those who’ve been counted out, overlooked, or forced to grow up harder than most. Confetti is the voice of the ones who had to endure and overcome.

Expanding his reach beyond the booth, Confetti is also making an impact as an actor, bringing the same authenticity and emotional depth to the screen that he brings to his music. When he steps into a role, it’s not performance it’s presence.

His latest single, “Hit The Lotto,” marks a turning point. The track is a celebration of overcoming setbacks, stacking up blessings, and finally stepping into the win. It represents the moment where pressure turns into power a testimony to staying down until you come up.

Confetti is moving with strategy and alignment. He is currently working closely with his PR Karine “Sho-Time” Thornton a respected entertainment figure, music industry leader, media executive, and cultural gatekeeper known for elevating talent and creating visibility across platforms. Together, they are executing a focused push across media outlets, interviews, appearances, and performance bookings to expand the Confetti brand on a national level.

This partnership marks a new chapter not just movement, but momentum. With Sho-Time shaping the narrative and Confetti delivering undeniable content, the groundwork is being laid for major stage visibility, press recognition, soundtrack placements, and feature opportunities across film and streaming networks.

Confetti Da Reala Soulja isn’t following waves he’s building legacy. He represents Texas, the trenches, the climb, and the triumph. He is proof that even when life hits its hardest, a real soulja stands ten toes and keeps rising.

The streets know.
The industry is paying attention.
And with “Hit The Lotto” pushing forward, the world is next.This is the voice of a survivor.
This is the narrative of a warrior.
This is Confetti Da Reala Soulja and the story is just beginning

Director Vera Edwards

Vera Edwards is an award-winning American independent film director/producer/and author. Born and raised in the South Bronx, Edwards took her life experience and applied it to film. She and her son Ricardo Cordero began their Journey as visual storytellers by gathering independent artist from the streets and giving them a platform to express their talent by allowing them to further their careers as actors.

Edwards and her son formed Street Line Video an underground media video production team for unsung talent. Edwards and her son Ricardo Cordero have recorded major celebrities on and off stage such as Babyface, Charlie Wilson, Nikki Minaj, New Edition, The Ojays, Millie Jackson, Kurtis Blow Rick Ross just to name a few. She states after filming so many celebrities and helping them retain themselves in the music industry it was time that her son an herself needed to embark on creating history for themselves. She then wrote her first novel Band of Gold, which was one of the urban communities best selling books, you can get it free on Amazon. Edwards stated it was the book that she wanted to turn into a movie drama. Readers requested more of her work that's when She learned that our stories need to be told. So she then decided to shoot her own movies to generate her audience and followers, because of the high demand of her first novel Band of Gold Edwards wrote scripts for her son to shoot and edit and distribute across the world.

Edwards has had several Independent films that played in the theater such as Chick-en, Waiting 4 Mr. Wright starring Michael Clee from The Fearless 4, a their first novella titled Perate starring Tito from the 1980s group The fearless four. All three of these movies won Beta awards and had sold out shows. Edwards also has a soap opera title "Rodent" the Urban Soap opera which was released as a web series which was a drama and a battle rap movie titled PPRESSED starring Karine Sho-time Thornton and Mikey D (Michael Deering) of the Legendary 90s hip hop rap group Main Source. These movies met all kinds of genre in all types of countries. Which made the two web series a download hit.

Edwards latest work a pandemic movie titled a teenage story starring La Sunshine from the 1980s hip hop rap group The treacherous three, Grandwizard Theodore creator of DJ scratch and Stevie D from the 1980s r&b group The Force Mds was aired during the lock-down of the COVID 19 pandemic. The pandemic had the whole world staying in the house for a year and a half 2020 and a portion of 2021. The movie a teenage story was released on youtube for free and generated over 800,000 views. Not bad for and independent full featured movie. Since the pandemic has been lifted somewhat Edwards has started working on a new up-and-coming movie tv drama for the 2023 fall tv line up (now in production). She guarantees her audience will love this one. All movies can be viewed and seen all over the world. Edwards and her son Ricardo Cordero said they will continue to work as a directors and pride themselves by continuing to promote artist who couldn't receive a fair chance in the entertainment world. You can watch all of their movie on youtube @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-wMxedqsYlGlg2HezxvWmA

The Rise of Dub Pudgy

I’m back at it again. It’s been a while. The pen been a little dry, well, not exactly, just been putting it to use on other projects but I’m back and it’s time for some new shit to be introduced. In my Craig Mack voice, “I’m kickin’ new flava in ya ear!” LOL! Anyways, there’s this particular artist. I met through family, so he is kind of like family to me too. Harlem’s finest and doing the damn thing as of lately dropping new dope music and music videos as well. I love to see people working, grinding, and shining. He goes by the name Dub Pudgy. Born as Michael Jordan, Jr. on October 9th, 1991, Pudgy’s another underground rap artist whose an up and coming talent whose been one busy individual. I’m very picky about talent and music but it’s the drive, dedication, and consistency that catches my eye. Let’s take it back to the very beginning of things, shall we?? Coming from Harlem, Pudgy’s family bond, in the beginning, was a really close one, and then things became different for him. He says, “At first, I had a family that was really close together, after more than a few deaths along with misunderstandings, that went away and it made things harder in the sense of being alone.” Unfortunately, family dynamics do change. Whether we want them to or not. A family, a foundation always shapes what type of adult the child will eventually become. It’s those unfortunate times that helps spark a young creative mind too. With the bad also comes with the good. Pudgy continues on about his days as a child and his inspirations and influences. “My elders, as in famous people, Tupac, Lil’ Wayne, and Will Smith, but mainly my Nana, grandmother and deep conversation with my brothers.” Having the love, support, and bond with our loved ones are very important just as much as our influences from entertainment. These things always reveal who we become as artists. Inspiration can come from anywhere outside of our main influences though. Energy never lies and what you associate with you will pick up. Even just minding your business walking down the street. Pudgy tells more about his where his inspirations come from. He says, “There’s something about being around people with good energy and when I just wrote something or performed, the reaction was so addictive and motivating that I became consumed in becoming great and making this a career.” No greater feeling than getting positive love, energy, and reciprocation back from those who are watching and listening. It’s what keeps an artist consistent and true to what they do. Speaking of doing, Pudgy is definitely doing the damn thing indeed. Music, music videos, collaborations, I love to see it all. My YouTube subscription box has Dub Pudgy music videos, he sends me texts of his links, it’s why I had to come back and give him his props for what he is doing. I asked Pudgy to speak more about his work and what he has going on currently. “My new single “Be Better” is out now on all platforms, the album “Harlem Legends”, and the video to “Be Better” will be out soon and we got more than music coming soon too.” Truly exciting. I love it all. Just wanted to make sure the people get into this as well. The sounds are very new school class of Harlem rap for the current generation. It’s all about the good times, good vibes, and positive energy. Youthful, hood, yet hopeful, optimistic, and fun Black-ness. When you reach a certain level and point in the field that you chose, reflecting on your progress and growth always humbles you. You also think about your life choices in the past because they definitely gave you the lessons you needed in order to get to where are you are currently. Any regrets at all?? Pudgy responds, “Every choice I’ve made got me to be the man that’s here today so no.” There you have it! No regrets. Full on confidence. He continues, “I see growth. You’re never too old to learn to be better.” Indeed. Never too old. Life goes on. To hear more from Dub Pudgy, you can find him on Facebook as MrNocap Withthehood and on Instagram @itz_justdub.

Written by Jalen Hemphill

The Sounds of Ondré!

Life has a beautiful of connecting you to people. So many people I’ve met and connected with over the years and I’m still pretty much cool with majority of them. From 2014 to about 2019, I was a student attending Hostos Community College here in The Bronx. Those are my glory days both educationally and creatively. I had a lot of fun during those days but the real fun I had was outside of the classrooms. There was a studio upstairs on the third floor and when I used to go to the studio, it was such an amazing experience being in there with everybody that I knew. We laughed, we chat, we created, we debated, and most of all, we were the same crowd that was a big part of the talent shows that was created way later during the day. Seeing everybody performing and having fun was the greatest. There’s also a political side of how things used to work at the school as far as the people and the events but that’s a whole other story to tell. Anyways, so much talent was there at Hostos Community College. One guy in particular who I always thought was super cool and of course talented, every time we seen each other it was always love and respect. This guy even hired me to DJ one of the very last talent shows I performed at and paid me cash and said “I gotchu bro!” One of the coolest, realest, and most talented dudes I’ve ever met. Smooth with it too with a bit of seriousness that didn’t intimidate you but enough to show this guy respect. He goes by the stage name Ondré. Born in New Rochelle on January 25th, 2000, Nashon Deondré Headley was raised here in the Boogie Down Bronx. BX stand up! Represent, represent! LOL! This is where the real story begins. Headley talks about life growing up. “Life was full of music for me growing up. I grew up in the church so I was always around gospel music and instruments. I picked up an acoustic guitar and started learning chords. I picked up drum sticks and started learning rhythm. I pressed piano keys and learned melody. I even plucked the bass and learned to groove. My whole life growing up revolved around music and God. I then used my skills that I learned from a young age and brought it over to the digital world. Producing beats, mixing vocals & mastering tracks was the next step I took to elevate my skillset. From there I became an artist, writing about real life things that many can relate to, while still mentioning God and how he’s helped me.” That incredible! Very inspiring. The only instrument I learned how to use was piano. Took a class on that while I was at Hostos. I remember feeling so good and elevated as a creative. I learned quick too. Music always came easy to me so to hear about someone knowing how to play so many musical instruments is truly inspiring. Makes me wanna relearn the piano again too. He continues, “Growing up I listened to a lot of gospel rap like Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Tedashii. I even started to listen to Chance the Rapper (my favorite rapper at the time) and I was inspired to make music with a message. Today, taking my music more serious and stepping into the industry, I learn from people like Russ, who talks about gaining leverage by doing things independently and without a record label. I’m also inspired by many of my mentors and friends, Brandon Jhon, Mark Ferg, Eric Penn, Kyle McEvoy, & Professor Joesph Carvhalo.” Nice! I love the confidence and wisdom that’s pouring out. Doing your thing and learning the ropes along the way, that’s very important. Headley also tells me about his start as an artist. The exact thing that makes one truly inspired to step into their greatness. He says, “There was an old cartoon called Class of 3000, where Andre 3000 was the teacher and had a band. They made an online game that allowed you to have different instruments and drums and put it together and make a whole song (and save it as well). This sparked the digital creation of music for me. Also In high school, I saw a couple of friends making music and rapping, when I saw the support they got and how good their music was, a light flickered in me and I told myself, I could do better (not in a bad malice kind of way). In high school I started to make music and I never looked back.” Of course it isn’t in a malicious way. That’s jealousy and spite, this experience is authentic, pure, organic, and truly from the heart of just wanting to be great. Big difference! Sad to say though, there are people doing music for other reasons besides it being something they’re passionate about but that’s nobody’s business but there’s. I love a purely talented individual with a drive to match. It hits differently. Especially when you actually have music out for people to hear. Headley talks about his projects. “Right now, I have an EP out called “Two Emotional” and a single called “I Can’t Breathe.” In the future, I’m releasing a song called “Love Talk” for Valentines day and a song called “Limbo” in March.” That’s exciting! Can’t wait to hear them all. Only dope talent makes me excited. Being an artist takes so much time, money, and patience to be. Definitely to prefect and hone your skills too. It’s a great feeling when you’ve been doing it for some years now and are able to acknowledge that. Even in this journey as an artist, we sometimes have regrets. What’s yours bro? “I regret not being more consistent. You could make the best music, release it and get amazing feedback and stats, but if you’re not continuously doing it over time, your hype starts to die out.” Yes!!! That’s wisdom right there! I quickly learned that as an artist, you definitely have to be consistent but you have to learn to keep the people’s attention by showcasing other sides of you. What others talents you can showcase? Keep doing that until you have new music coming out. It’s like having side jobs. Your main thing is being an artist but you have something on the side to keep you going while still keeping your main audience. So many loopholes to this artist thing, especially in the social media/digital age now. Completely different ball game but yes, super relatable. Consistency is the key. With consistency and hard work, your talent definitely shines through and keeps you in the game. That’s called longevity. You want to be here for more years to come so what are your goals years from now? “Years from now I see myself in my own commercial media studio. A studio that has many different rooms for different purposes, recording, photography, videography, live room with instruments, etc. I see my self managing various artists under my new record label Sound Supply Records.” Much respect! Incredible. Follow this talented brother on all his social media outlets. IG: @soundsupplyrecords & @thatsondre, Twitter: @thatsondre, Facebook: facebook.com/thatsondre & Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/thatsondre.

Written by Jalen Hemphill

SLICK RICK

Richard Martin Lloyd Walters (born January 14, 1965); better known as Slick Rick, Rick The Ruler and MC Ricky D, is a British-American rapper. He has released four albums: The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (1988), The Ruler’s Back (1991), Behind Bars (1994) and The Art of Storytelling (1999). His music has been sampled and interpolated over 600 times, in over 35 songs by artists including Eminem, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, The Beastie Boys, TLC, Nas, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West, Black Star, The Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, MC Ren, Montell Jordan and Color Me Badd. In the process, Walters has become the most-sampled hip-hop artist ever. Many of these songs based on Slick Rick samples went on to become hit singles. He’s been a VH-1 Hip Hop Honors honoree, and ranked him No. 12 on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time, while The Source ranked him No. 15 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. He has acted and cameoed in 10 movies and videos.

Walters was born and raised in the southwest London district of Mitcham, to a British-Jamaican family. He was blinded in the right eye by broken glass as an infant. In 1976, he and his family migrated to the United States, settling in the Baychester area of the Bronx. At Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music & Art, where he majored in visual art, Rick met Dana Dane. The pair became close friends and formed The Kangol Crew, performing at school contests, parks and local hole-in-the-wall clubs.

At a 1984 talent showcase he entered, Rick met Doug E. Fresh. Impressed by Rick’s talent, Doug made him a member of his Get Fresh Crew (which also included DJs Chill Will and Barry Bee). Doug’s beatbox and Rick’s fresh flow turned “The Show”/”La Di Da Di” into an international anthem that turned rap music on its head and became the launching pad for “Hip Hop’s greatest storyteller.”

His career began in late 1985; Walters first gained success in the rap industry after joining Doug E. Fresh’s Get Fresh Crew, using the stage name MC Ricky D. He was featured on the single “The Show” and its even more popular B-side, “La Di Da Di”, which featured Walters’ rapping over Doug E. Fresh’s beatbox. Both tracks gained some mainstream attention, they appeared on Top of the Pops and Soul Train with the Get Fresh Crew. Reflecting on the double-sided gem in Rolling Stone magazine, Roots drummer and Tonight Show bandleader Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson said, “Point blank: Slick Rick’s voice was the most beautiful thing to happen to hip-hop culture […] Rick is full of punchlines, wit, melody, cool cadence, confidence and style. He is the blueprint.”

In 1986, Slick Rick joined Russell Simmons’ Rush Artist Management and became the third artist signed to Def Jam Records, the leading rap/hip-hop label at the time. Collaborating with his friend, DJ Vance Wright, Walters produced his solo debut, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, which came out in 1988 on Def Jam. The album was very successful, reaching the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart. It also featured three charting singles: “Children’s Story”, “Hey Young World”, and “Teenage Love”. The release is known for its storytelling and vocal characterizations. “With the combination of Rick’s Dick Van Dyke-on-dope accent and his unique narrative style, the record was an instant classic,” wrote critic Matt Weiner. “Each of Rick’s songs was an amusing, enthralling story that lasted from the first groove to the last.”

In 1989, Walters’ mother, Veronica, hired his first cousin, Mark Plummer, as his bodyguard. By 1990, Plummer had become a liability, having tried numerous times to extort money from the artist. Plummer was fired and, unsatisfied with his severance package, tried to rob Walters on numerous occasions and also threatened to kill the rapper and his mother. When Walters found bullet holes in his front door, he bought guns for protection. On July 3, 1990, Walters spotted Plummer in his neighborhood, and fired at least four shots. One bullet hit Plummer; another caught a passerby in the foot. Neither suffered life-threatening injuries.

He eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and other charges, including assault, use of a firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon. The rapper called it an act of self-defense. He spent five years in prison, two for the then-second-degree attempted-murder charges he received for the shooting, and three for his struggle with the Immigration and Naturalization Services over his residency in the U.S. He was released from prison in 1997

After being bailed out by Russell Simmons, Walters recorded his second album, The Ruler’s Back, released in 1991. Despite peaking at No. 29 on the Billboard 100, the album received mixed reviews and wasn’t as commercially successful as his debut. In the documentary film, The Show, Russell Simmons interviewed Walters while he was imprisoned on Rikers Island.

Walters’ third studio album (the fourth for Def Jam) Behind Bars was released in 1994, while he was still incarcerated. It was met with lukewarm sales and reviews. Behind Bars peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and No. 51 on the Billboard 200.

Walters remained with the Def Jam label, and on May 25, 1999, released a fourth album, The Art of Storytelling. Generally considered the authentic follow-up to his 1988 debut, The Art of Storytelling was an artistically successful comeback-album that paired him with prolific MCs like Nas, OutKast, Raekwon, and Snoop Dogg. The Los Angeles Times announced it as the “triumphant return of rap’s premier yarn-spinner,” calling the song “2 Way Street” “a much-needed alternative to rap’s misogynistic slant.” It charted higher than any of Slick Rick’s prior releases: No. 8 on the Billboard 200; No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

After performing on a Caribbean cruise ship in June 2001, Walters was arrested by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) as he re-entered the United States through Florida. He was promptly told that he was being deported under a law allowing deportation of foreigners convicted of felonies. Rick was continuously refused bail, but after 17 months in prison he was released on November 7, 2003. In October 2006, the Department of Homeland Security began a new attempt to deport Walters back to the United Kingdom, moving the case from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit based in New York to the more conservative Eleventh Circuit. The court is based in Atlanta, Georgia but the trial was expected to proceed in Florida, where immigration agents originally arrested Walters.

On May 23, 2008, New York Governor David Paterson granted Slick Rick a full and unconditional pardon on the attempted murder charges. The governor was pleased with his behavior since the attempted murders. Slick Rick has volunteered his time to mentor kids about violence.

Walters married his wife Mandy Aragones in April 1997, four years after the couple met at a Manhattan nightclub. The performer has two children, Ricky Martin Lloyd Santiago and Lateisha Walters, from a previous relationship. He and his wife have donated about a dozen items from his collection to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Slick Rick and the Soul Rebels Brass Band collaborated on June 21, 2012 in Washington, D.C. at the historic Howard Theatre which re-opened in April 2012.

In 2014, Rick participated in Will.i.am’s “Trans4M” concert, which raised more than $2.4 million for the music producer’s i.am.angel Foundation.

In addition, Rick recently was a Mixx Cares Humanitarian Award recipient.

On April 15, 2016, Rick was granted U.S. citizenship, remarking, “I am so proud of this moment—and so honored to finally become an American citizen.” He will also retain his UK citizenship.

On November 2, 2018, Rick released the single “Snakes Of The World Today”.

Written by Dianne Washington

What Happened To Hip Hop

I remember when my mom introduced me to hip hop back in the early eighties. She would play sounds of Flash and the Furious Five, Kool Moe Dee and Afrikka Bambatta. I jammed to the sounds of Erick B. and Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and KRS One and the Boogie Down Production. I loved to record songs on my tape deck to listen to in my Walkman. It was the late eighties when I began jamming to the tunes of Salt & Pepa, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and YoYo. These were the female MC’s that every young girl aspired to be like. From the style of dress, down to the no nonsense attitudes, the first ladies of Hip Hop were the epitome of excellence. Back in the beginning hip hop contained lyrical content and a message that empowered the community. We were proud of the hip hop culture and all that it stood for. The question now is What Happened To Hip Hop? The new hip hop generation is filled with trap rappers that have poor lyrical content with catchy hooks and illicit messages. The focus is no longer about striving to improve the community. It’s now about adapting by the use of drugs and alcohol. There is blatant disrespect for women and women disrespecting themselves to sell records. The saddest part is that these are the people that the urban community looks to as role models. Little girls want to look like Barbie Dolls and Twerk like the celebrities that they hear and see degrading themselves on MTV and popular radio stations. Female MC’s went from “Who You Calling A Bitch to calling themselves bitches”. There is no more respect for the community in my favorite music genre. Instead the message is about popping pills, drinking alcohol, selling drugs and initiating violence. I would like to give a heartfelt apology to the pioneers of hip hop for the blatant disrespect of the culture. Again let me ask What Happened To Hip Hop
Written By:
Regina Annette

Jadakiss takes over the Bronx

“SummerStage”? Well, over 7,000 park goers and residents from the Bronx can. Sunday, August 6th, 2017 in Tremont park in the Bronx, the weather was mellow, the people was eager. Originally, the concert was suppose to take place in Crotona park at the Amphitheatre in the Bronx, but was moved to a bigger stage a few blocks down the street. Signs were posted “Jadakiss concert moved to Tremont west Crotona park.” People scurried and packed up their chairs and ran over to the other side of the park.

It was old timers day and everybody was there – old, young, family and friends. This was the day every year when people got together from different states or different boroughs. They came from everywhere just to see one another. Crotona park was packed. At 4pm, park goers got the word that the Jadakiss concert was being moved to the Tremont. Why? The Amphitheatre that was going to hold the concert wasn’t big enough to handle the massive crowd. It was already 4pm on the west side of Tremont of Crotona park – a packed crowd of about 5,000 was already there. Jadakiss was not even on stage so it made sense that they moved the concert to the other side of the park especially with all the cookouts and parties that was happening on the other side of Crotona Park. The crowd was still gathering, the DJ spun music for the crowd to dance and cheer to the music. The concert started a little after 6pm. A 14 year old rapper from the Bronx took the stage and turned the crowd on. He was the opening act. Now, the crowd needed some exercise – a local workout group call Bartendaz came on stage to explain how important physical fitness was.

Jadakiss got on stage and the crowd went wild. The rapper brung out his special guest to perform BlackJunior M.A.F.I.A performed some of his greatest hits. The mini concert was like being at Madison Square Garden. Jadakiss began performing his top hits. The crowd rapped along with him. This was a great day for the Bronx Thanks to SummerStage.