Legendary rapper Slick Rick Walters was officially released from jail on Friday November 7 after being locked up for over 17 months by immigration officials. He is currently back in the Bronx with his wife and two children.
“I still can’t believe it to some degree,” said Rick told the Associated Press. “I’m just thankful to God.
The rapper, who crafted hit albums like The Great Adventures of Slick Rick,said he may include portions of his stay in jail in his upcoming album. But, it won’t be like the majority of rapper’s prison tales.
“I’m not bitter, so I’ll just put it in a humorous way,” Walter said. “We’re happy that I’m able to stay in the country and put this behind us, finally, hopefully and go on with my life and resume my rap career.”
In addition, he has no current intention to sue for his jail term, which Judge Kimba Wood deemed was unjust.
Slick Rick was detained by the INS in June of 2002 after he left America, venturing into international waters to perform aboard a cruise ship. Upon trying to reenter domestic territory, the rapper was arrested.
Slick Rick, a native of Great Britain, has lived in the United States since the age of 11. He faced deportation because of a 1990 incident, in which he shot his cousin and a bystander. Rick served 5 years and 12 days in prison. According to a United States law established in 1996, any non-citizen who serves more than 5 years in prison must be deported.
He has been a resident of the United States Since 1976, but never officially became a citizen.