“The Academy is proud to celebrate this diverse slate of influential music people spanning numerous genres and crafts as our 2023 Special Merit Awards honorees,” said the Academy’s CEO Harvey Mason jr.
“Each creator on this list has impacted our industry — from technical to creative achievements — representing the breadth of music’s diverse community,” he continued. “We’re excited to celebrate this group of legends next month that continues to inspire and shape the music world.”
“To be receiving this honor is incredible,” Slick Rick said. “And to be in marvelous company with my fellow inductees is humbling. God is good. All the time!”
Slick Rick’s legacy has grown in addition to his multi-platinum discography, which consists of four albums published between 1988 and 1999. These albums include the standards “La-Di-Da-Di” and “The Show,” which have been sampled more than 1,000 times.
The UK-born performer will receive his first official recognition from the Recording Academy with the Lifetime Achievement Award, despite his notoriety, as he has never received a Grammy.
