Slick Rick is regularly praised as Hip-Hop's greatest storyteller, and The Ruler himself took the stage at Brooklyn Bowl on Friday (Jan. 13) to showcase how his famous moniker is very well-earned. The crowd was packed into the venue for a showcase for the artist formerly known as MC Ricky D, as the Bronx-by-way-of-London legend rocked the mic and the crowd with hit after hit.

Vin Rock of Naughty By Nature and DJ Red Alert were on-hand to offer support, as Rick took center stage at the famous venue. Running through classics like "The Show" and "Children's Story," highlighting his collaborations with artists like OutKast ("The Art Of Storytelling") and showcasing that famous wit and charisma, Rick was in top form all evening.

"We've gotta validate ourselves, you know what I'm saying?" Rick shared with the crowd as he spoke about the legacies of legendary emcees such as himself, Rakim and Big Daddy Kane. "Because we come from the ancestors."

Rick is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Grammys, and he took the stage just hours before the rap icon celebrated his 58th birthday.