He rose to prominence with Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew in the mid-1980s. Their songs "The Show" and "La Di Da Di" are considered early hip hop classics. "La Di Da Di" is one of the most sampled songs in history.
In 1986, Slick Rick became the third artist signed to Def Jam Records. 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 1,000 times, in dozens of songs by artists, including Eminem, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Beastie Boys, TLC, Nas, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West, Black Star, The Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, MC Ren, Montell Jordan, Tech N9ne and Color Me Badd. In the process, Slick Rick has become one of the most-sampled hip-hop artists ever. Many of these songs based on Slick Rick samples went on to become hit singles.
He was one of the very first hip-hop artists to be covered, when Snoop Dogg (then Snoop Doggy Dogg) rapped Rick's lyrics from his record "La Di Da Di" almost in their entirety on the track 'Lodi Dodi' on his debut album Doggystyle in 1993. At the time it was very uncommon for rappers to use complete song lyrics from another artist.
Slick Rick has been a VH-1 Hip Hop Honors honoree, and About.com 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 cameo-ed in 10 movies and videos.
Teacher Teacher
Slick Rick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Known to the whole world for what (my style of rhyme)
But tonight let's talk about the ones who bite
Although they know they won't (never get it right)
Because they have no (class) and they have no (shame)
They'll bite another brother to boost their own (name)
Get paid correct on a one way gimmick
I'm happy for you lowlifes but 'member there's a limit
(So say) Teacher, teacher, tell me how you do it
It looks kinda easy like there was nothing to it
But they don't understand that the master will be
The creator of the style (Ricky D)
Teacher, teacher, tell me how you do it
It looks so easy like there was nothing to it
But they don't understand that the master will be
The creator of the style (Ricky D)
When I walk into a party coke snorters laugh
As the girls be crazy coming for my mere autograph
And it seems that they aspiring my new style of rappin'
And brothers all around me out of vanity are snappin'
The girls say, "Wow Rick you're so unique
Please tell us how you organize the words you speak"
But my will says chill and I go upon my way
'Cause class will be taught some other day
(So say) Teacher, teacher, tell me how you do it
It looks kinda easy like there was nothing to it
But they don't understand that the ruler will be
The creator of the style (Ricky D)
Teacher, teacher, tell me how you do it
It looks so easy like there was nothing to it
But they don't understand that the Rule will be
The creator of the style (Ricky D)
(Hit it, hit it)
(Hit it, hit it)
(Hit it, hit it)
(Hit it, hit it)
(Hit it, hit it, hit it)
(Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it)
(Hit it, hit it, hit it)
(Hit it, hit it, hit it)
(Hit it, hit it)
Well I remember one night when the world was dead quiet
And out of nowhere some boy starts a riot
He tore my clothes, I had to throw blows
A shotgun barrel was dead on my nose
I froze
It was Big Foot and the Toes
Yup, a bunch of small timers that be it on my shows
Surrounded the ruler with machetes too
They said um, "If you don't teach us how to rap you're through'
I said 'okay, now let me go, please"
I seen an officer, then the officer screamed, "Freeze!"
He said, "Slick Rick you okay?"
I had to play it off, some girls were looking my way
So I smacked one in the face and told him, "I won't retire"
And many years from now I'll just be getting higher
For I am the master, set and done
My name is Ricky D and I'm the only one, so say
(Ricky D)
(Ricky D) (hit it)
(Hit it, hit it, no, hit it)
(Hit-hit it, hit-hit it)
(Hit-hit-hit-hit-hit-hit it)
(Hit-hit-hit-hit-hit-hit it) (no no, no no)
(Hit-hit-hit-hit-hit-hit it) (no no, no no)
Now when I was a lad my style was bad
So I had to use what little bit of knowledge that I had
So I quote and I wrote 'til I was up to par
Some rhymes were (boo-hoo) and some rhymes were (haha)
I educate myself so I'm able to reach ya
Answering the call of ,"Teacher, teacher"
Tell us how you do it, it's so easy for me
The creator of the style, emcee Ricky D
Now my only task is to warn all biters
Slimy sluts and fake rhyme writers
Don't try your luck and get the ruler annoyed
For when I'm through with you boy your whole world will be destroyed
So chill Mister Muscle or I'll come and hunt ya
If you are a girl, I'll make no man want ya
So if you want to rule and no pride's in the way
Pay attention to my syllables and come see me and say, "Hey hey"
Teacher, teacher, tell me how you do it
It looks so easy like there was nothing to it
But they don't understand the ruler will be
The creator of the style (Ricky D)
Teacher, teacher, tell me how you do it
It looks kinda easy like there was nothing to it
But they don't understand that the ruler will be
The creator of the style (Ricky D)
(Hit it, hit it, no, hit it)
(Hit it, hit it, hit-hit it) (oh no)
(Hit it, hit it, hit it, oh no)
(Hit it, hit it, hit-hit it) (oh-oh no, oh-oh no)
((Hit it, hit it, hit-hit it, hit-hit-hit-hit-hit-hit it)
(Oh-oh no, oh-oh no)
In Slick Rick's song "Teacher Teacher," the rapper addresses the issue of biting, where other rappers copy his style without giving credit. He talks about the lack of class and shame in those who bite, and how they do it to boost their own name, even though they know they will never get it right. Slick Rick warns them that there is a limit to how far they can go on a one-way gimmick, and that the master will always be the creator of the style.
In the second verse, Slick Rick talks about the girls who come after him for his autograph, and how boys aspire to copy his style, trying to snap with him. He is asked how he organizes the words he speaks, but he decides to chill and go on his way, knowing that class will be taught some other day. In the bridge, Slick Rick narrates a situation where some boys start a riot, tore his clothes, and surrounded him with machetes, demanding that he teaches them how to rap. The story ends with Slick Rick proclaiming himself the master of the style and the only one.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've been a public figure for quite a long time
I have been in the public eye for a considerable amount of time
Known to the whole world for what (my style of rhyme)
My style of rhyming is what made me famous worldwide
But tonight let's talk about the ones who bite
Let us discuss the people who imitate my style
Although they know they won't (never get it right)
Even though they are aware that they will never get it perfect
Because they have no (class) and they have no (shame)
They do not possess any dignity or basic moral values
They'll bite another brother to boost their own (name)
They will copy another artist's work to gain fame for themselves
Get paid correct on a one way gimmick
They are earning money illegally through their gimmickry
I'm happy for you lowlifes but 'member there's a limit
I am glad for your success, but remember that there are limits to everything
(So say) Teacher, teacher, tell me how you do it
Addressing an imaginary teacher, asking how I became so skilled
It looks kinda easy like there was nothing to it
It appears to be effortless, like it requires no effort at all
But they don't understand that the master will be
They don't comprehend that I am the creator
The creator of the style (Ricky D)
I am the original creator of this style of rap, also known as Ricky D
When I walk into a party coke snorters laugh
At parties, drug users often mock me and my music
As the girls be crazy coming for my mere autograph
Despite this, many girls still run towards me seeking only an autograph
And it seems that they aspiring my new style of rappin'
It seems that they are also beginning to copy my style of rapping
And brothers all around me out of vanity are snappin'
Other rappers around me, driven by their own vanity, become aggressive
The girls say, "Wow Rick you're so unique
Girls always compliment me, saying that I am so unique
Please tell us how you organize the words you speak"
They then ask me to share my secrets of how I write my lyrics
But my will says chill and I go upon my way
I choose to ignore them and keep walking
'Cause class will be taught some other day
Because at another time, I could potentially teach a class on how to rap
(Hit it, hit it)
A command for the beat to continue playing
Well I remember one night when the world was dead quiet
I recall a specific night that was completely silent
And out of nowhere some boy starts a riot
Suddenly, a boy starts a violent outburst
He tore my clothes, I had to throw blows
He ripped apart the clothes that I was wearing, and I had to respond with violence
A shotgun barrel was dead on my nose
I was staring directly down the barrel of a shotgun
I froze
I was paralyzed by fear
It was Big Foot and the Toes
It was a group of smaller rappers that go by the name of Big Foot and the Toes
Yup, a bunch of small timers that be it on my shows
They were a group of less successful rappers who perform on stage together with me
Surrounded the ruler with machetes too
They circled me while holding machetes
They said um, "If you don't teach us how to rap you're through'
They threatened me, saying that if I don't teach them how to rap, something bad would happen to me
I said 'okay, now let me go, please"
I agreed to teach them to let me go
I seen an officer, then the officer screamed, "Freeze!"
I saw a police officer, and he commanded me to stop moving
He said, "Slick Rick you okay?"
The police officer checked in on me, wondering if I was okay
I had to play it off, some girls were looking my way
I had to act as though nothing happened because some girls were watching
So I smacked one in the face and told him, "I won't retire"
I slapped one of the rappers and told them that I won't stop performing
And many years from now I'll just be getting higher
I plan on continuing my success and growing even more popular for many years to come
For I am the master, set and done
I am the best in the game, period
My name is Ricky D and I'm the only one, so say
I am the only one with this name and this style of music
(Ricky D)
A reference to myself, Ricky D
(Hit it)
A command for the beat to continue playing
Now when I was a lad my style was bad
When I was young, my rap skills were terrible
So I had to use what little bit of knowledge that I had
I had to work with the limited knowledge I had and slowly build up my skills
Some rhymes were (boo-hoo) and some rhymes were (haha)
Some of my lyrics were bad, while other times they were great
I educate myself so I'm able to reach ya
I taught myself how to rap so that I can connect with my audience
Answering the call of, "Teacher, teacher"
My fans call out for my help, as if they were students asking for a teacher's aid
Tell us how you do it, it's so easy for me
They want me to teach them how to rap since I make it look so comfortable
The creator of the style, emcee Ricky D
I am the innovator of this particular style of music, as well as another name for myself: Emcee Ricky D
Now my only task is to warn all biters
My only responsibility now is to caution anyone who tries to plagiarize my work
Slimy sluts and fake rhyme writers
Specifically, I address female rappers who sleep around in exchange for fame and male rappers who pretend to be something they are not
Don't try your luck and get the ruler annoyed
Do not attempt to imitate my work and annoy me
For when I'm through with you boy your whole world will be destroyed
If you copy my work, I will guarantee complete destruction of your reputation
So chill Mister Muscle or I'll come and hunt ya
Relax and stop trying so hard, otherwise, I will come after you
If you are a girl, I'll make no man want ya
If you're a woman, I'll ruin your reputation so that no man would want to date you
So if you want to rule and no pride's in the way
If you aspire to become successful and you don't let your ego get in the way
Pay attention to my syllables and come see me and say, 'Hey hey'
Take a close look at my rapping techniques and then seek me out to further discuss
(oh-oh no, oh-oh no)
An exclamation of frustration, almost as though saying "oh no"
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Eric T. Sadler, James Henry Boxley Iii, Nahiem Johnson, Oliver Martin Sunderland, Ricky M. L. Walters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind