The Art of Storytelling

The Art of Storytelling is the fourth and most recent studio album by British-American rapper Slick Rick. Originally scheduled for a February 1999 release, it was ultimately released May 25, 1999, on Def Jam Recordings. The album features production from DJ Clark Kent and Kid Capri, among others. Upon its release, The Art of Storytelling proved to be Slick Rick's highest-charting album, peaking at number eight on the Billboard 200, and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified gold by the RIAA within a month of its release.[9]

The Art of Storytelling
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 25, 1999
Recorded1998–99
GenreHip hop
Length73:28
LabelDef Jam Recordings
Producer
Slick Rick chronology
Behind Bars
(1994)
The Art of Storytelling
(1999)
Singles from The Art of Storytelling
  1. "Street Talkin'"
    Released: September 4, 1999
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Billboard(favorable)[2]
Robert ChristgauA−[3]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[4]
Rolling Stone[5]
The Source[2]
Spin(7/10)[6]
USA Today[7]
Vibe(favorable)[2]
The Washington Post(favorable)[8]

Track listing edit

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[10]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Jail Skit" (featuring Ed Lover, Redman & Rev Run) Bimmy Antney1:20
2."Kill Niggaz"DJ Clark Kent2:50
3."Street Talkin'" (featuring Outkast)Jazze Pha3:41
4."Me & Nas Bring It to Your Hardest" (featuring Nas)2:36
5."I Own America Part I"
3:09
6."Bugsy Radio Skit" Bimmy Antney0:19
7."Who Rotten 'Em"
  • Walters
  • Junod Etienne
Nod3:28
8."2 Way Street"
  • Walters
  • Franklin
DJ Clark Kent3:33
9."King Piece In The Chess Game" (featuring Canibus)Tyrone Fyffe3:20
10."Trapped In Me"Rashad Smith3:42
11."Impress The Kid"
  • Walters
  • Shampelle Everett
S&S3:34
12."Q-Tip & Peter Gunz Skit" (featuring Q-Tip & Peter Gunz) Bimmy Antney0:35
13."I Run This"4:09
14."Frozen" (featuring Raekwon)
3:12
15."Why, Why, Why"
  • DJ Clark Kent
  • Slick Rick
3:23
16."Adults Only"Dame Grease4:16
17."Memories"
DJ Clark Kent4:06
18."Unify" (featuring Snoop Dogg & Kid Capri)Kid Capri3:59
19."Bugsy Radio Skit" Bimmy Antney0:18
20."I Own America Part 2"
  • Colleone & Webb
  • Bimmy Antney (co.)
3:30
21."CEO Outro" Slick Rick0:05
Bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
22."We Turn It On" (featuring Doug E. Fresh)
Vada Nobles3:35
23."La Di Da Di (Live)" (featuring Doug E. Fresh)
  • Walters
  • Davis
Slick Rick4:37
24."The Show (Live)" (featuring Doug E. Fresh)
  • Walters
  • Davis
Slick Rick6:09

Sample credits[10]

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[15] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine (25 May 1999). "The Art of Storytelling - Slick Rick | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Slick Rick, "The Art of Storytelling [PA] *" - mymusic CD, Popular Album details". Archived from the original on 17 March 2004. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  3. ^ "CG: Slick Rick". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  4. ^ Matt Diehl (28 May 1999). "The Art of Storytelling". Ew.com. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  5. ^ The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. p. 672. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  6. ^ SPIN. p. 131. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  7. ^ "ProQuest Archiver: Titles". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  8. ^ "Rick's Still Slick on 'Art of Storytelling' - the Washington Post | HighBeam Research". Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  9. ^ "Slick Rick :: The Art of Storytelling :: Def Jam". Rapreviews.com. 5 February 2002. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  10. ^ a b The Art of Storytelling (booklet). Def Jam. 1999.
  11. ^ "Slick Rick Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Slick Rick Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  15. ^ "American album certifications – Slick Rick – The Art of Story". Recording Industry Association of America.

External links edit