The Art of Storytelling [PA] (CD - 1999)

Personnel includes: Slick Rick, Snoop Doggy Dogg, OutKast, Canibus, Nas, Kid Capri, Raekwon, Q-Tip, DJ Rev. Run, Redman, Kid Capri, Peter Gunz, S&S, Bugsy, Ed Lover, Doug E. Fresh (rap vocals); Vada Nobles, Phalon Alexander (various instruments); Joe Kelley, Thomas Hammond, Corey Rooney (keyboards); Doug E. Fresh (beat box); DJ Ty Boogie (scratches).

Producers include: DJ Clarke Kent, Large Professor, S&S, Kid Kapri, Tyrone Fyffe.

Engineers include: Mike Anzelowitz, Kenny Ortiz, Joshua Butler.

If there's one thing Slick Rick has mastered, it is The Art of Storytelling. Ever since his debut, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, he has been known for his literate, winding narratives, but his career was marred by legal troubles that kept him in prison for much of the '90s. Consequently, The Art of Storytelling is only his fourth album, but it's the first to rank as a worthy sequel to his classic debut. The Ruler's Back came close to capturing the feel of The Great Adventures, but The Art has a continually stunning set of stories and tales, and the presence of guest artists -- even rappers as talented as OutKast, Nas, Raekwon, and Snoop Dogg -- only emphasizes what a singular talent Rick is. The smooth production may be a little bit mired in contemporary rap clichés, but it's all enjoyable. Besides, Rick is about the lyrics, not the music, and he has written a stellar set of songs here, songs that are continually surprising and thought-provoking. It's a masterful set from one of the true lyrical masters of hip-hop. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Make no mistake hip-hop fans: with THE ART OF STORYTELLING, Slick Rick is definitely back in the game. The man who once upon a time made treating your girl like a prostitute sound like an okay thing to do, the one who can make you laugh, disgusted and pensive (sometimes all in one song) is back with an album that possesses all the characteristics that made him one of the more respected rap artists of his time. The arrogance, the ability to use words in a way that is not just auditory but visual as well, the unique sense of storytelling and humor--all of these qualities are evident on this album. Slick Rick demonstrates here that even though you can silence a good storyteller for a while, you can never take away his ability to captivate an audience. minimize