Slick Rick: You Can Stay!

Posted by Maximum Fun on 24th May 2008

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I’m usually against “Free XXX Rapper” campaigns. Most rappers (not all, of course) have great legal representation, and if they end up in jail, it’s because they did some shit they deserved to go to jail for.

My feelings on Slick Rick, however, are completely the opposite. Rick was born in the UK, though he moved to New York as a toddler. Unfortunately, he never went through the many hoops to become a US citizen. In 1990, Rick shot a cousin who the rapper accused of trying to extort and kill him. His plea arrangement in the case was specifically tailored to avoid triggering deportation. After he was released, the interpretation of the rules changed, and the government has been trying to deport him more or less ever since.

Of course, letting Rick become a citizen of the United States is enormously beneficial to our country. He’s one of the great musicians of his generation, and he’s been working tirelessly to help prevent violence since his release. If you’ve ever heard him speak, he’s an eloquent voice for a better country.

Yesterday, New York’s new governor, David Patterson, gave Rick a full pardon. His lawyers will file for a waiver of deportation within two weeks. I couldn’t be more pleased.

Hurray for the Rickster!

Here’s the full story in the NY Times.