Rick James

This Gold-certified masterpiece gave us the ultimate floor-filler "Dance Wit' Me" & featured a collaboration with The Temptations on "Standing on the Top." From the heavy basslines of "Hard to Get" to the energy of the title track, Rick showcased exactly why he owned 80s groove.

May 13, 1982: THROWIN' DOWN was Rick James’ high-energy follow-up to STREET SONGS and it more than lived up to the hype.

If I leave you on read trust this is why. Video from @sidd.sidd10 on Tik Tok

All super fans know Rick’s full name is actually James Ambrose Johnson Jr., but who knows who helped him come up with his iconic stage name? Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Much like Mary, we don’t play no games about this song 😍

A cover of ‘You and I’ by @thesandman.inc on Tik Tok😮‍💨 Be sure to tag @RickJames in your covers for a chance to be featured.

Celebrating the anniversary of THE FLAG: a bold chapter in Rick James’ catalog. Released in 1986, the album leaned into rock and socially conscious themes, featuring the hit “Sweet and Sexy Thing” and showcasing Rick’s signature mix of attitude and groove.

Happy 4/20 to all who celebrate 😶‍🌫️ Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Slick Rick at the film premiere of Spike Lee’s "Jim Brown, All American" on this day in 2002. Fashion Icon 😎 Photos courtesy of Getty Images.

Rick James on the progression of funk music over the years: “funk is still funk” ⚡️

45 years of STREET SONGS: the album that defined funk for a generation.

April 3rd, 1982: The King of Punk Funk live in Germany at Rockpalast 🔥

Celebrating 48 years of COME GET IT! by Rick James this month ❤️‍🔥 Rick’s unforgettable debut shook the funk music scene with hits like “You and I” and “Mary Jane.” What’s your favorite track from this record? Reply below.

Celebrating 47 years of WILD AND PEACEFUL by Teena Marie! This album features Teena’s powerful voice alongside Rick’s killer songwriting and composing skills. Which song is your favorite from this record? Photos courtesy of Getty Images.

Happy birthday to MC Hammer. MC Hammer and Rick came up through the Bay Area funk and soul scene, with Rick’s music and style playing a big role in shaping his early sound and showmanship. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

A-side: “You and I” B-side: “Hollywood” 3/26/78 ✨ Revisit this Rick James classic: found.ee/YouandI-4

The King of Punk Funk live in Chicago, March ‘79 😮‍💨 Photos courtesy of Getty Images.

@luckyvie on Tik Tok groovin’ to “Mary Jane” 🤘

GIVE IT TO ME BABY ⚡️

I kept playing the riff and realized that it was hypnotic. Right then and there I had the engineer hook up a mic and started singing the story as it came to me... I never wrote down a word. Made it up on the spot. It just kinda grew out of me.” -Rick James 📸: Getty Images.