Slick Rick's always been in my top 5 all-time favorites, but word up, I'm gonna do a fair review. Slick Rick - "The Art of Story Telling" - Production - Clark Kent, Trackmasters, Kid Kapri, Tyrone Fyffe, Jazze Pha, Nod, Rashad Smith, S&S, Raymond Deal, Grease. Guests - Nas, Raekwon, Canibus, Snoop, Doug E. Fresh, Big Boi. 1. Intro - Dope. It set off the album nicely. Slick Rick is walkin' down the hall about to be released from Prison, Ed Lover, Rev Run, and Redman are prisoners reciting old Slick Rick hits. 2. "Kill Niggaz" - This song will probably turn off true Slick Rick fans. When I first heard it it kinda hurt me that he was rappin' so hardcore. I think this was just a cut he had to get out of his system, thats the fury of a imprisoned man right there. The lyrics are still dope, and the beat is nice, but I was a little worried that the whole album might sound like this. "Hoes ass kiss 'cause I'm like Jason, vision/ releasin' me, a basket case from Prison" 3. "Street Talkin'" w/ Big Boi - This is the Slick Rick we grew up to right here. A classic Slick Rick chorus and a perfect beat for him. Definitely a more positive Slick Rick on this cut. Big Boi comes off like never before on this track, I wasnt even dissapointed that Andre didnt appear. 4. "Me and Nas Bring it to you Hardest" w/ Nas - I dont care, the Trackmasters are good producers, flat out. Rick doesnt come off on this cut like he did on the previous cuts, but he still does his thing. Nas holds his own also on the mic stating that "Your girl wants my name on her chest/ me and Rick argue about who's chain is the best" 5. "I Own America" - I'm glad Slick Rick changed with the times and is able to spit those multi-syllable rhymes, that shit means alot to me, straight up, I hate simple rhymes. Rick is just as concieted as ever stating that "Even your own kids say you aint shit next to Slick Rick". A dope beat to go along with fierce battle rhymes. 6. Skit 7. "Who Rotten 'Em" - Damn this beat is crazy. For some reason thought its difficult to understand Rick on this track. The beat is enough to keep your head noddin' until you lick your own balls on accident though. 8. "2 Way Street" - The first story he blesses us with isnt until track 8, but he does indeed bless us. This is to all the cats like me that think "I cheat on my girl, but I know she'd never cheat on me". Cleverly done. 9. "King Piece In The Chess Game" w/ Canibus - Another ferocious battle rap, and who better to accompany him on this than Canibus. Although Canibus only spits the chorus, he still improves the track with his presence. 10. "Trapped in Me" - Slick Rick never fails to make live chorus's. Not much point to this song, just dope lyrics over a dope beat. Like many songs on this album though, it has that old school vibe to it that makes you feel good though. 11. "Impress the Kid" - One of the more danceable cuts on the album. Dope cut though, Slick Rick rips this beat down from beginning to end. 12. Skit (Peter Gunz and Q-Tip reciting old Slick Rick lyrics) 13. "I Run This" - There are many, many dope cuts on this album.....but none can fuck with this one. New school cats, this is how you spit a battle rap. No overdone, ridiculous punchlines and metaphors, just overwheling arrogance, mad mic presence, emotion, and dope battle lyrics. I felt like smackin' somebody in the face after I heard this cut. 14. "Frozen" w/ Raekwon - The beat is mediocre, but MC Ricky D and Lex Liberachi bring the best out of it, exchanging flawless verses. 15. "Why, Why, Why" - Another cut with that old school feel to it. Its about the ladies, makes mad sense. Alot of ya'll cats are naive when it comes to women, it aint hard to tell, Rick is droppin' jewels for ya'll. 16. "Adults Only" - You cats that live with your Parents....dont play this, Its not called Adults Only for nothin'....this shit would offend Vanessa Del Rio. MAD explicit. Its about backdoor sex, I cant relate to it....but its still a dope song. 17. "Memories" - The feel good song of the mothafukkin' year. You cant help but to smile ear to ear when you hear this cut. Slick Rick can still give you that old school feeling like no other. 18. "Unify" w/ Snoop - I was pissed that this wasnt the version from Kid Kapri's album, I loved that version. Still, this one is good. Snoop surprisingly doesnt hurt the track. 19. Skit 20. "I Own America pt. II" - One of the dopest beats of the year without question. Same lyrics as part 1. 21. CEO Outro - Is Russell Simmons gonna do this on every Def Jam album now? What the fuck is that? its stupid. 22. "We Turn it On" (Bonus Track) w/ Doug E. Fresh. - It felt good to hear these two collaborate again, and they recaptured the energy without a doubt. 23. "La Di Da Di" (Live) - You wanna get hype? Run this cut. 24. "The Show" (Live) - Wanna get even hyper? peep this..... This album is great to me. I dont wanna call it a classic yet, 'cause I only heard it twice, but I'm not gonna change my mind about thinkin' its great. Slick Rick has a impecable flow, a perfect rap voice, and his rhymes are better than ever. Those who gave up on Ricky D slipped, 'cause he hasnt lost a step. This album is equipped with topics, scratching, ideas, and a ill vibe, and all the elements needed for a dope album.