Famed hip-hop legend Slick Rick has finally been granted U.S citizenship. In a ceremony Friday (April 15) in New York, the U.K born rapper was sworn in as a U.S citizen. Slick Rick, born Rick Walters, came to the U.S at the age of 11 and has tried for many years to become a citizen despite having an attempted murder charge.
The rapper who is known for his art of storytelling served five years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted murder in 1991. Rick claimed self-defense in the shooting of his cousin Mark Plummer. Immigration officials kept a close eye on the rapper and attempted to deport him in 2001 after being detained in Florida, stating that having a felony record prevented him from residing in the U.S.
In 2008, New York Governer David A. Paterson pardoned the "La-Di-Da-Di" performer, which some criticized as special treatment for a celebrity.
Source: billboard.com
