R&B Bridgez: Rick James

In the hierarchy of funk, no artist has been more exciting, more inspired and “badder” than the Super Freak himself, Slick Rick a.k.a. Rick James. His bass heavy songs and outrageous persona set the standard for hardcore funk, which he dubbed “punk funk.” For funksters ever since, James hits like “You And I,” “Super Freak” and “Give It To Me Baby” have been among the guiding lights of the genre. Though James passed away in August 2004, his music remains. Today, on his birthday he would of been 71 years old.

James made his Motown debut with 1978’s Come Get It, which featured “You And I” (#13 pop/#1 R&B) and “Mary Jane” (#3 R&B) and was certified gold. Bustin’ Out Of L Seven (1979) included “Bustin’ Out (On Funk)” (#6 pop/#8 R&B) and “High On Your Love Suite” (#12 R&B); Fire It Up (1979) boasted “Love Gun” (#13 R&B). “Big Time” (#17 R&B) was heard on the ballad-laden Garden Of Love (1980).

“Give It To Me, Baby” (#40 pop/#1 R&B) and “Super Freak” (#16 pop/#3 R&B) pumped up the platinum Street Songs (1981) as did his “Fire & Desire,” his timeless duet with protégé Teena Marie. The following year he collaborated with The Temptations on the Top 10 R&B “Standing On The Top.”

James remained a formidable presence on the R&B chart with the #3 “Dance Wit’ Me” from the gold-selling Throwin’ Down (1982); “Cold Blooded” (Top 40 pop/#1 R&B) and Top 25 R&B “Ebony Eyes” (with Smokey Robinson) from the gold Cold Blooded (1983); Top 10 R&B “17” (also Top 40 pop) from his greatest hits album Reflections (1984); Top 10 R&B “Can’t Stop” (also heard in the blockbuster film Beverly Hills Cop), and the #5 R&B title track from Glow (1985).

In 1988, James exited Motown and joined Warner Bros., where that year’s Wonderful album included what would be his last major hit, the #1 R&B “Loosey’s Rap” featuring Roxanne Shante. Subsequent scandals and incarceration would haunt him for years and his music suffered. In 1990, however, he put his indelible stamp on the then-emerging hip-hop culture when MC Hammer rapped over the instrumental track of “Super Freak” and landed a megahit with “U Can’t Touch This.”

Rick James’ most recent brush with fame/infamy has managed to pervade itself onto an entirely new generation of people thanks in large part to comedian Dave Chappelle’s over-the-top portrayal of the singer on his Chappelle’s Show segment “Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories #1: Rick James.” The phrase “I’m Rick James, bitch!” can now be heard resonating from coast to coast.

When it came to funk, no one could touch Rick James.