Iconic rapper Slick Rick has finally become an American citizen, after over two decades of protracted legal battles. Rick, who was born in London and moved with his family to the Bronx when he was eleven, was officially granted his citizenship today in a ceremony in New York.
“I am so proud of this moment – and so honored to finally become an American citizen,” said Slick Rick in a press release. “This has been a long time coming for me, and I am relieved to finally put this long chapter behind me.”
It been a real uphill battle for the rapper. Rick was incarcerated at the height of his career back in 1990 in a self-defense shooting of his cousin and former bodyguard. He spent five years in prison, but the charges continued to hang over his head for the next two decades.
Eventually, in 2008, former New York Gov. David Paterson granted him a full pardon due to his positive contributions to the community since his release. Now, the rapper and longtime New York City resident has officially been granted full US citizenship.
