On January 14, 1965, Ricky M. L. Walters, known in the music industry as Slick Rick aka Ricky D., was born in South Wimbledon, London, England to his Jamaican parents. Known as Ricky back in the day, the soon-to-be entertainer moved with his family to the Bronx in 1975.

Exposed to the hip-hop beats and music scene in the Bronx, Ricky began making a name for himself by competing in and winning nearly every MC battle contest he entered. He finally hit the jackpot at a MC contest at the 369 Armory in Harlem, where he attracted the attention of Doug E. Fresh, who was garnering his own attention due to his ability to imitate drum machines and various special effects.

Striking up a friendship, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick released the history-making, single “The Show and La Di Da Di” in the summer of 1985. With Fresh’s beatbox and Rick’s smooth lyrical delivery, the duo nearly single-handedly transformed rap.