SLICK RICK ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM ‘VICTORY’
- So FN Dope Magazine
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
GROUNDBREAKING VISUAL ALBUM IS THE FIRST NEW MUSIC
FROM THE ICONIC ARTIST IN OVER 25 YEARS
***EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY IDRIS ELBA & RICKY WALTERS pka SLICK RICK***
***FEATURING APPEARANCES BY NAS & GIGGS + SPECIAL GUEST ESTELLE***
UK PREMIERE - SXSW LONDON -
7th JUNE
SLICK RICK IN CONVERSATION WITH IDRIS ELBA & MEJI ALABI
US PREMIERE - TRIBECA FESTIVAL - 13th JUNE
Q&A WITH SLICK RICK
RELEASE DATE: 13 JUNE 2025
(New York/London – 15 May) – Hip-hop’s most revered master storyteller and cultural pillar, Ricky Walters pka Slick Rick, joins creative forces with acclaimed multi-hyphenate Idris Elba for Victory — a visionary visual album set to be released through Elba’s record label, 7Wallace, in collaboration with Mass Appeal. Victory drops June 13.
Celebrating 26 years since The Ruler’s last album, Victory is a triumphant new chapter — a sonic and cinematic tour de force that redefines the boundaries of storytelling, legacy and the power of imagination. Executive produced by The Poet (Slick Rick) and The Visionary (Idris Elba), the project features powerful collaborations with Nas and Giggs, along with a special contribution from Estelle.
Slick Rick says “Victory is all about perseverance, storytelling, imagination and evolution. A visual blend of art and heart — a sonic journey that reflects where I’ve been and where I’m going. Victory isn’t just music — it’s a bold in your face statement, showcasing British artistry at its finest!”
Idris Elba says “Working with Slick Rick… back home in the UK, and then offering the world of hip hop something amazing has been a blessing. It’s literally a gift!”
Nas says "Slick Rick and I have a long history of working together so it was great to get back in the studio with him to create this new record. He has been such an influential figure in Hip Hop culture and I look forward to him sharing this project with the next generation of fans."
At its heart lies a 30-minute immersive film, directed by Meji Alabi — the creative mind behind Beyoncé’s Black Is King, which brings Victory to life through bold imagery and narrative depth. For the aesthetic vision, Slick Rick collaborated with legendary photographer Jonathan Mannion and brand storytellers Equator Studios. The music was mixed by Young Guru, with the album artwork and rollout developed in partnership with British agency PAQ and Rick’s own Team Eye Patch.
Victory will premiere on 7 June at the inaugural SXSW London @ Shoreditch Town Hall followed by an In Conversation with Slick Rick, Idris Elba and film director, Meji Alabi, tickets available here. In New York, the film will premiere at the prestigious Tribeca Festival on 13 June @ SVA 1 Theater, followed by a Q&A with Slick Rick, tickets available here.
Watch the trailer here.
Four years in the making, Victory was written and recorded between Rick’s birth place, London and in France, with its striking visuals filmed across three continents — the U.S., the UK, and Africa. The result is a cross-continental homage to Rick’s roots, enriched by lyrical depth, cinematic brilliance, and genre-defying artistry More than an album, Victory is a moment. A movement. A masterpiece. A celebration of culture, resilience, and the transformative power of imagination.
Victory the film will be available to watch worldwide on 13th June. Platform details to follow.
Victory the album will be available to stream on all DSPs and to purchase on 13th June.
