Rapper Slick Rick Is An American Citizen , After A Long Legal Process

Rapper Slick Rick Is An American Citizen , After A Long Legal Process 

BHR Hollywood Reports.........Slick Rick is an American citizen. The legendary English-born rapper has earned his U.S. citizenship following a lengthy legal process that spanned more than two decades.

Ricky “Slick Rick” Martin Lloyd Walters was officially sworn in at a ceremony in New York on Friday (Apr. 15) alongside dozens of other new citizens.

Slick Rick 

The English-born "La-Di-Da-Di" performer — who rose to fame with collaborator Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew — fought hard for the milestone.

Immigrations officials tried to kick him out of the country several times after he pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder in 1991 and spent five years in prison.

“I am so proud of this moment — and so honored to finally become an American citizen,” Rick, whose real name is Ricky Walters, said Friday in a statement.

Slick Rick 

The eye-patch-wearing star has long maintained he fired his gun in self-defense during the 1990 incident.

He said the cousin who was wounded along with an innocent bystander previously threatened his mom’s life and his own.

Still, his plea deal meant he was a British citizen convicted of a violent crime, and officials wanted him gone.

Authorities nearly got their way in 2002 when Walters was arrested in Florida while trying to return from a Caribbean concert cruise with singer Erykah Badu.

It was less than a year after 9/11, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service was operating in an era of heightened security.

Actors Will Smith and Chris Rock and Def Jam founder Russell Simmons rushed to Walters’ defense and encouraged fans to push for his eventual release.

Rap Legend Slick Rick -- La Di Da Di, It's Time to Party ... I'm a U.S. Citizen! (PHOTOS) https://t.co/k7WzaVLgEH pic.twitter.com/n8UPuQdkTE

— Los Angeles News Now (@lanewsnow) April 15, 2016