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.
The Show
Slick Rick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The most exciting stage show you've ever witnessed
Appearing live, Doug E Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew
(Oh my God!)
(Oh my God!)
(Oh my God!)
Excuse me Doug E Fresh
Have you ever seen a show with fellas on the mic
With one minute rhymes that don't come out right
They bite, they never write, that's not polite
Am I lying?
No, you're quite right
Well tonight on this very mic you're about to hear
We swear, the best darn rappers of the year
So, so, cheerio, yell, scream bravo
Also, if you didn't know this is called The Show
Ay yo Doug
What?
Put your Ballys on
Yo Rick, I was about to but I need a shoe horn
Why?
Because these shoes always hurt my corns
Six minutes
Six minutes
Six minutes Doug E Fresh you're on
Uh uh on, uh uh on, uh-huh-uh-huh-uh uh uh on
Uh uh on, uh uh on, uh-huh-uh-huh-uh uh uh on (oh my God!)
Uh uh on (oh my God!)
(Is it real?) (Oh, oh, oh my God!)
Here we go (here we go) come on (come on)
Here we go (here we go) come on (come on)
Yo, where's Will and Barr?
Well I don't know they're late
Told 'em the time, oh I forgot the date
Man, you did it again, oh no
Yo, here we go, come on, here we go, come on
Here we go, did you miss the show
No, no, no-no-no no we didn't
No no-no-no no-no-no no we didn't
No we didn't, well don't get us wrong
Excuse me Doug E
Excuse me Doug E
Excuse me Doug E Fresh you're on
Uh uh on
(Is it real?) (Oh, my God!)
(Is it real?) (Oh, oh, oh my God!)
(Is it real?) (Oh, oh, oh my God!)
(Is it real?) (Oh, oh, oh my God!)
(Is it real?) (Oh, oh)
(Is it real?) (Oh, oh, oh my God!)
(Is it real?)
(Is it real?) (Oh, my God!)
Well it started off on 8th Avenue
When I made up the name called the Get Fresh Crew
It was me, my two DJs Chill Will and Barry B
And my right hand man Ricky D
I used to rap and sing, make sounds and things
And for example, here's a telephone ring
Hello, is Doug E Fresh in?
No, he's not in right now
But anyway, no more delay
Just check out the new style I display
Now you got to be (Fresh)
To rock with (Fresh)
And I'm D-O-U-G-I-E (Fresh)
And I'm known for the
Not for the
The human beat box or the entertainer
No other title can fit me plainer
In a passing generation, I am a remainer
And I'm also known as the beatbox trainer
Cashing checks, make sound effects
And after I finish rocking, Slick Rick is on next (you know it)
Slick Rick!
Well, here's a little something that needs to be heard
Doug, I was going downtown (word, Rick?) word!
(Sure) All alone, no one to be with
Stepped on the D-Train at 205th
I saw a pretty girl (so?) so I sat beside her
Then she went roar like she was Tony the Tiger
I said hold on, there's been a mistake
Honey, my name's Slick Rick not Frostie Flakes
(Oh, golly wolly) 'Cause she was raising hell
She said, um, my name is Maggie but call me Michelle
Bust a move, we show and prove
Ay yo Doug, do that record Jam On The Groove
(Oh, oh, oh my God!) (Is it real?)
(Oh, oh, oh my God!) (Is it real?)
(Oh, oh, oh my God!) (Is it real?)
(Oh, oh, oh my God!) (Is it real?)
(Is it real?) (Oh, oh)
(Is it real?)
(Is it real?) (Oh, my God!)
As you can see, most definitely, we are (fresh)
Chill Will (fresh)
Barry B (fresh)
Ricky D (fresh)
And I am the original human beatbox, the entertainer, Doug E (Fresh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh my, my God!)
The song "The Show" by Slick Rick feat. Doug E. Fresh starts with a grand introduction to the stage show, featuring Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew. The song speaks on the art of rapping, critiquing other rappers who cannot keep up with the rhymes or come up with original content. However, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick claim to be the best rappers of the year and refer to their performance as "The Show."
The song is also a showcase of Doug E. Fresh's beatboxing skills as he creates sound effects using only his mouth, and Slick Rick's storytelling abilities. The two artists collaborate to tell stories like Slick Rick's experience of meeting a woman on the subway, and Doug E. Fresh's musical journey, highlighting their unique talents.
The song is considered a classic hip-hop record and was successful at the time of its release, reaching #7 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It has since been sampled by many other songs and used in films, TV shows, and commercials. It is widely recognized as one of the greatest hip-hop songs of the 1980s.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen
Welcome to the show.
The most exciting stage show you've ever witnessed
This is going to be the best performance you've ever seen.
Appearing live, Doug E Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew
Introducing tonight's performers.
(Oh my God!)
An exclamation of excitement.
Excuse me Doug E Fresh
Interrupting Doug E Fresh for a moment.
Yes?
Doug E Fresh acknowledges the interruption.
Have you ever seen a show with fellas on the mic
Have you witnessed a rap performance before?
With one minute rhymes that don't come out right
Where rappers can't keep up with the beat.
They bite, they never write, that's not polite
They copy others' lyrics and never create their own, which is disrespectful.
Am I lying?
Asking if what he's saying is untrue.
No, you're quite right
Agreeing with the statement made earlier.
Well tonight on this very mic you're about to hear
Tonight you will witness a show that is different.
We swear, the best darn rappers of the year
Tonight's performers are the best of the best.
So, so, cheerio, yell, scream bravo
Encouraging the audience to express their delight with the show.
Also, if you didn't know this is called The Show
This performance is called "The Show".
Ay yo Doug
Calling Doug E Fresh's attention again.
Put your Ballys on
Putting on shoes.
Yo Rick, I was about to but I need a shoe horn
Doug has issues with his shoes and needs help.
Why?
Asking why he needs a shoe horn.
Because these shoes always hurt my corns
The shoes are uncomfortable for Doug E Fresh's feet.
Six minutes
The length of time remaining until an upcoming event.
Six minutes Doug E Fresh you're on
Doug E Fresh will perform in six minutes, letting him know he must be ready.
Uh uh on, uh uh on, uh-huh-uh-huh-uh uh uh on
An intermission beatbox session.
Uh uh on (oh my God!)
Excited anticipation.
(Is it real?) (Oh, oh, oh my God!)
A rhetorical question followed by excitement.
Here we go (here we go) come on (come on)
An invitation to begin the next performance.
Yo, where's Will and Barr?
Asking the whereabouts of Chill Will and Barry B.
Well I don't know they're late
Uncertainty about the tardiness of the missing performers.
Told 'em the time, oh I forgot the date
The person speaking relayed the time of the performance but forgot to mention the date.
Man, you did it again, oh no
Reprimanding the person who forgot the important scheduling detail.
No, no, no-no-no no we didn't
Assuring that the show was not missed.
No no-no-no no-no-no no we didn't
Emphasizing that the show was not missed.
No we didn't, well don't get us wrong
Continuing to assure they did not miss the show.
Excuse me Doug E
Interrupting Doug E Fresh again.
Excuse me Doug E Fresh you're on
Letting Doug E Fresh know his time to perform has arrived.
(Is it real?) (Oh, my God!)
Expressing excitement about the upcoming performance.
(Is it real?) (Oh, oh)
A follow-up to the previous expression of excitement.
(Is it real?)
A third repetition of the question.
Well it started off on 8th Avenue
A story from Slick Rick's past begins.
When I made up the name called the Get Fresh Crew
The formation of a rap group.
It was me, my two DJs Chill Will and Barry B
The original lineup of the Get Fresh Crew.
And my right hand man Ricky D
A member of the Get Fresh Crew.
I used to rap and sing, make sounds and things
Describing the skills that Slick Rick had to offer.
And for example, here's a telephone ring
Demonstrating one of Slick Rick's sound effects.
Hello, is Doug E Fresh in?
Imitating a phone call.
No, he's not in right now
Imitating a phone call's response.
But anyway, no more delay
Continuing the story after an interruption.
Just check out the new style I display
Introducing a new style of rap.
Now you got to be (Fresh)
Describing the requirements for the new style.
To rock with (Fresh)
Encouraging people to embrace the new style.
And I'm D-O-U-G-I-E (Fresh)
The performer's name spelled out using the new style.
And I'm known for the
Introducing the performer's reputation.
Not for the
Clarifying the performer's reputation.
The human beat box or the entertainer
Describing aspects of the performer's talents.
No other title can fit me plainer
No other title captures the performer's essence as well.
In a passing generation, I am a remainer
Remaining present despite previous generations passing.
And I'm also known as the beatbox trainer
Revealing another talent of the performer.
Cashing checks, make sound effects
Describing the performer's skills as both an entertainer and a sound creator.
And after I finish rocking, Slick Rick is on next (you know it)
Announcing the arrival of Slick Rick after the performer finishes his set.
Slick Rick!
Announcing the arrival of the next performer.
Well, here's a little something that needs to be heard
Beginning a new rap.
Doug, I was going downtown (word, Rick?) word!
A dialogue between the two performers after the new rap's introduction.
(Sure) All alone, no one to be with
Setting the scene of the story.
Stepped on the D-Train at 205th
Continuing the story by further illustrating the scene.
I saw a pretty girl (so?) so I sat beside her
Narrating an interaction with a woman in the story.
Then she went roar like she was Tony the Tiger
Describing an unexpected, aggressive response from the woman.
I said hold on, there's been a mistake
Reacting to the woman's response and trying to clarify the confusion.
Honey, my name's Slick Rick not Frostie Flakes
Clarifying his own name to avoid confusion.
(Oh, golly wolly) 'Cause she was raising hell
Reacting to the negative situation.
She said, um, my name is Maggie but call me Michelle
The woman introducing herself under a different name.
Bust a move, we show and prove
Encouraging the audience to dance and enjoy the performance.
Ay yo Doug, do that record Jam On The Groove
Asking the performer to play a specific song.
(Oh, oh, oh my God!) (Is it real?)
More expressions of excitement in response to the performance and the song.
As you can see, most definitely, we are (fresh)
An affirmation of the performers' talents and freshness.
Chill Will (fresh)
Introducing a member of the Get Fresh Crew.
Barry B (fresh)
Introducing another member of the Get Fresh Crew.
Ricky D (fresh)
Introducing another member of the Get Fresh Crew.
And I am the original human beatbox, the entertainer, Doug E (Fresh)
Concluding the performance by reintroducing the performers and their various talents.
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh my, my God!)
A final expression of excitement and amazement at the conclusion of the show.
Lyrics © ROXBORO ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Douglas L. Davis, Eddie Morris, Joseph Saddler, Melvin Glover, Nathaniel Glover, Ricky Walters, Robert Keith Wiggins, Sylvia Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Lbmacon
TO THIS DAY- I cannot hear the phrase "six minutes" from any source without my brain adding "Doug E Fresh you're on"!
@therightshoe8040
Me and my sister say 6 minutes dougie fresh you’re on ALL the time 😂😂😂
@dawnm3609
I'm the exact same way! Some people at work were giving me sideways looks just today because of it 😂
@frustratedmynx
Yesssss!!!
@4thDr
It's impossible to NOT say it. That's always how I end up here because I want the whole song
@Ava-nx2jy
Time stamp?
@asds92
This song came out 36 years ago and STILL sounds as fresh as if it were made yesterday! Today's rap is absolutely NO COMPARISON to the true legends of the art
@astralmindny9055
Rap is just a tool to fill the prisons now.
@doseloverstar1183
37
It was 85 summer and it was Crazy
1 of The Illest ever if not the
Illest
@melaniecartwright2409
Yess,I was like this is old as Me 🤣🤣🤣And still JAMMiN just like yesterday 💖