Slick Rick, also known as Rick the Ruler, is a Grammy-nominated rapper from England. He started his career in 1983 during the Golden Age of hip-hop, and he joined Doug E Fresh’s Get Fresh Crew early in his career. Slick Rick is known for his narrative songs, and he is considered hip-hop’s best storyteller. In “Children’s Story” Slick Rick tells a cautionary story about two boys who start robbing people. One of the boys robs an undercover police officer and gets shot.
“Me and you, Ty, we gonna make some cash
Robbing old folks and making the dash.”
They did the job. Money came with ease
But one couldn’t stop. It’s like he had a disease
Vocabulary
- law (noun) – a rule or regulation that everyone in a country must obey and follow. In society, people have laws, and the police enforce the laws. If you break the law, you might go to jail.
- justice (noun) – the legal system used to punish people. If you break the law, you will enter the justice system. You will go to court and get a prison sentence from a judge.
- stern (adjective) – serious and stern. Drug laws are usually stern. People stay in prison up to twenty-five years for drugs.
- cash (noun) – paper money. I don’t carry much cash on me at night because there are a lot of pickpockets on the train.
- rob (verb) – to steal money or property from a person or place. Most criminals rob homes at night. They usually steal expensive electronics such as phones and TVs.
- undercover (adjective) – working secretly in order to find information for the police. That neighborhood has a lot of crime, but there are many undercover police officers.
- strapped (adjective) – having a gun with you, usually hidden under clothes. Police officers always do a body search because criminals might be strapped.
- cop (noun) – a police officer. Most cops wear blue, black or brown uniforms.
- fiend (noun) – used after nouns, a person who is addicted to something. Drug fiends can sometimes be dangerous. They usually resort to crime to support their drug habits.
- bullets (noun) – the small metal ball fired from a gun; ammunition. Guns do not work without bullets.
- gun (noun) – a firearm; a weapon that uses bullets. Guns are illegal in many countries.
- sirens (noun) – a device that makes a loud sound as a signal or warning. Police cars have red and blue sirens, and they use them during emergencies.
- shoot (verb) – to fire a gun or a weapon. Police may only shoot their guns during dangerous situations.
Discussion Questions
Do you think a lot of children or young people commit crimes? Why do young people commit crimes? How can parents, teachers and society prevent young people from committing crime? Should all guns by outlawed and prohibited? Please write your comments below!