NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Slick Rick performs onstage during "In Conversation with Fat Joe" at The Apollo Theater on November 15, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/Getty Images)

Slick Rick Among Honorees to Receive 2023 Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award

Iesha January 6, 2023 News Leave a comment

During the upcoming 65th annual Grammy Awards, Slick Rick is set to receive the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Recording Academy announced its list of Special Merit Awards honorees on Thursday, and they will be honored on February 4 during a separate Grammy Week ceremony.

In addition, the Special Merit Awards Ceremony will also present three Trustee Awards, two Technical Grammy Awards, and the Grammy for Best Song For Social Change.

“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.”

Aside from Slick Rick, “The Ruler,” Bobby McFerrin, Nirvana, Ma Rainey, Nile Rodgers, The Supremes, and Ann and Nancy Wilson of the Heart group will also be given awards.

“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.

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards are scheduled to air on CBS on Sunday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m. EST; however, the Special Merit Awards Ceremony will not be shown.