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 his outrageous persona set the standard for hardcore funk, what he dubbed "punk funk." For funksters ever since, James hits such as "Love Gun," "Super Freak" and "Give It To Me, Baby" have been among the guiding lights.
James made his official Motown debut with 1978's Come Get It, which featured "You and I" and "Mary Jane" and was certified gold. Bustin' Out of L Seven (1979) included "Bustin' Out" and "High On Your Love Suite," and "Fire It Up (1979) boasted "Love Gun". "Big Time" was heard on the uncharacteristically ballad-laden Garden of Love (1980). "Give It To Me, Baby" and "Super Freak (Part 1)" pumped up the platinum Street Songs (1981).
In 1988, James exited Motown. Nationally exposed scandals and criminal incarceration would haunt him for years after and his music suffered as well. In 1990, however, her 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." The court case which won James co-writing credit on the song established a legal precedent which limited the use of "sampling."
Even more importantly, the song reminded a new generation that when it came to funk, no one could touch Rick James.
SOURCE:
http://www.motown.com
Mary Jane
