Slick Rick Finally Becomes A U.S. Citizen, Ending Immigration Battle

Slick Rick is many things: a hip-hop icon, a storytelling legend and now an American citizen.

The British-born, Bronx-bred rapper endured a 23-year legal battle with the immigration and naturalization departments in the United States, which at one point landed him in jail and multiple times threatened his legal status to live in this country.

All a thing of the past.

On Friday, April 15^th,  in New York the man born Ricky Walters was sworn in as citizen.

“I am so proud of this moment—and so honored to finally become an American citizen,” Slick Rick said in a statement issued to media. “This has been a long time coming for me, and I am relieved to finally put this long chapter behind me. I want to thank everyone—my family, friends and fans—who have supported me and stuck by me over these 23 years. I am truly blessed—and stay tuned, I will have more to announce soon.”

-revolt