Slick Rick, born in the year 1965 on January 14 in Mitcham, London, England, is a rapper and producer. He also goes with the name of Rick the Ruler and MC Ricky D. Slick Rick has also been a statement maker. With his rings, gold chains, suits, and of course, his eye-catching eye patches. But does he wear eye patches to make a statement, or is there a story behind it? Let’s find out.
For those who don’t know who Slick Rick is, you don’t need to worry. We have got your back. Slick Rick is a well-known name in the hip-hop industry. Richard Walters (Slick Rick) shifted to the Bronx in the year 1975 with his family.
He started gaining popularity after his song with Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew, which was released in the year 1985. His songs The Show and La Di Da Di with Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew which was released in the year 1985. His songs The Show and La Di Da Di with Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew are classic hip-hop songs and are still liked by hip-hop fans.
In 1986, he signed a contract with Def Jam Records and became the third artist to sign a contract with them. He later launched four albums: The Great Adventures of Slick Rick in the year 1989, The Ruler’s Back in 1991, followed by Behind Bars in the year 1994, and The Art of Storytelling in 1999.
His first album, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, was number 1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop charts. Due to his growing popularity, he became a target in the Bronx and had to hire a security guard, Mark Plummer, for his safety.
What Happened with Slick Rick?
At only 18 months, Rick had an eye injury when a window broke, and glass from the broken window went into his right eye. Before using eye patches which later became his signature thing, he used sunglasses to cover up his eye.
The accident left a huge impact not only on his health but also on his confidence. He was shy and used to staying indoors. He said that he was always pretty shy because of the eye and so rather than going out and playing sports, he used to stay indoors and write stories.
Slick was not comfortable whenever he had to talk about his eye, but in an interview with Red Bull Music Academy in the year 2012, he opened up and talked about the secret behind his eye patch.
He used to wear contact lenses, anything that camouflaged the eyes, cuz you know, the eye is kind of messed up, you know. Said Rick in his interview with Red Bull Music Academy. Initially, he was wearing Ray-Bans, but after a while, he started wearing an eye patch and then went with wearing a patch only.
Wearing an eye patch is a treatment that is used on children who have problems with their eyes. Slick was suffering from Amblyopia. It’s an eye health problem in which an eye cannot be used properly for vision as the visual system in the brain cannot develop properly in childhood leading to bad vision.
It is treated by giving training to the eye that has a problem with vision. The eye which doesn’t have any problem is covered with a patch so that the eye with less vision can be used to see things and become a normal eye. Using a patch on the right eye is the most common way of treating Amblyopia.
Patch has to be worn according to the doctor’s consultation for effective results and speedy recovery.
“For all of y’all, keep y’all in health, Just to see you smile and enjoy yourself” was the lyrics of Slick Rick’s song La Di Da Di with Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew.
Slick Rick’s Personal Life
Slick Rick is a family man. When not on stage or writing songs, he’s seen at home spending time with Mandy Aragones, his wife, and his two children.
The Rapper is married to Mandy Aragones, a model. He met her in one of Manhattan nightclubs, and the duo tied the knot in the year 1997. Mandy has always been on Slick’s side and has supported him throughout his career.
The couple later had two beautiful children after getting married, one daughter Lateisha Walters and a son, Ricky Walters. Like their parents, Lateisha and Ricky’s life is also very private.