Slick Rick’s record label, Island/Def Jam Music Group, recently hired a Washington lobbyist to argue the rapper’s case to the White House and to politicians.

SLICK RICK: It’s what Black people like. We’re not just hip-hop. We like reggae. We like house music. Let’s say like the Beatles or Barry Manilow. We go all over the place. Dionne Warwick ...

Slick Rick (born Richard Walters) took the stage Thursday in relaxed style, wearing a white Havana-style straw hat, a white collared shirt, white pants, a pair of fresh old-school, Smurf-blue ...

Slick Rick visits Pitchfork to explain why "Presenting Dionne Warwick" is a perfect record from start to finish.

SLICK RICK: Well, I guess it’s each one’s each one, because as long as you’re making a profit and your place is clean and tidy and the tenants are happy, it should be all good, right?

SLICK RICK: It’s what Black people like. We’re not just hip-hop. We like reggae. We like house music. Let’s say like the Beatles or Barry Manilow. We go all over the place. Dionne Warwick ...

SLICK RICK: It’s what Black people like. We’re not just hip-hop. We like reggae. We like house music. Let’s say like the Beatles or Barry Manilow. We go all over the place. Dionne Warwick ...

SLICK RICK: It’s what Black people like. We’re not just hip-hop. We like reggae. We like house music. Let’s say like the Beatles or Barry Manilow. We go all over the place. Dionne Warwick ...

SLICK RICK: It’s what Black people like. We’re not just hip-hop. We like reggae. We like house music. Let’s say like the Beatles or Barry Manilow. We go all over the place. Dionne Warwick ...

SLICK RICK: It’s what Black people like. We’re not just hip-hop. We like reggae. We like house music. Let’s say like the Beatles or Barry Manilow. We go all over the place. Dionne Warwick ...