Rick tha Rular
Encyclopedia
Rick tha Rular (born 1985) is an American percussionist, composer and producer, founder of St. Louis-based StarStrukk Productions. He is best known for his comedy hip hop
collaborations with Andy Samberg
. Rick wrote the music for two SNL skits, "Like a Boss
" and "Shy Ronnie", which was nominated for an Emmy Award as part of the "Rihanna and Shy Ronnie" Saturday Night Live Digital Short. The video featured Rihanna
, and Samberg portraying a shy elementary school student named "Shy Ronnie" who is cued to do a rap verse accompanying Rihanna's choral hook.
Prior to the creation of StarStrukk in 2008, Rick owned the company Reel-2-Real Records, which he eventually sold to his manager, Sam Heat. Rick met Monique Hines (Foxx StarStrukk) while they were both working at Macy's
, and he signed her to StarStrukk in 2009.
's comedy troupe The Lonely Island
in 2008, and produced and composed for the track "Like a Boss
" which appeared on their first album, Incredibad
. The song was developed into an Saturday Night Live Digital Short of the same name, and then when the troupe needed another track for "Shy Ronnie", Rick was again approached to create the music.
"Shy Ronnie" aired originally on December 5, 2009. In a classroom, Rihanna sings the hook on top of a hip-hop/R&B beat. As her verse completes, Shy Ronnie takes to the microphone reluctantly and almost silently, causing a very awkward situation between Rihanna and the students. Ronnie fails in multiple ways, from inaudibility to microphone feedback and peeing himself. Rihanna proclaims (still in song) that she should have paid Kanye West
instead to accompany her on the song, and leaves. Immediately upon Rihanna's departure, Ronnie sheds his shy demeanor, and busts out two lines of rap clearly. Rihanna reenters because she forgot her purse—Ronnie reverts to his shy self. When Rihanna leaves again finally, the beat stops, and Ronnie continues in a cappella
, though ending with a weak finish.
Comedy hip hop
Comedy hip hop or comedy rap is a sub-genre of hip hop music that's comedic in nature, often incorporating satirical lyrics. While a lot of comedy hip hop could be considered a parody of the hip hop genre, with artists such as Eminem, this is not always the case. Its central idea is to amuse the...
collaborations with Andy Samberg
Andy Samberg
David Andrew "Andy" Samberg is an American actor, comedian, rapper and writer best known as a member of the comedy group The Lonely Island and as a cast member on Saturday Night Live...
. Rick wrote the music for two SNL skits, "Like a Boss
Like a Boss
"Like a Boss" is the tenth track with jarden innit and fourth single from The Lonely Island's debut album Incredibad. The song is a parody of the first official single from Slim Thug's first album Already Platinum, also named 'Like a Boss'...
" and "Shy Ronnie", which was nominated for an Emmy Award as part of the "Rihanna and Shy Ronnie" Saturday Night Live Digital Short. The video featured Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
, and Samberg portraying a shy elementary school student named "Shy Ronnie" who is cued to do a rap verse accompanying Rihanna's choral hook.
Prior to the creation of StarStrukk in 2008, Rick owned the company Reel-2-Real Records, which he eventually sold to his manager, Sam Heat. Rick met Monique Hines (Foxx StarStrukk) while they were both working at Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
, and he signed her to StarStrukk in 2009.
Awards
- "Shy Ronnie", Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics
SNL Digital Shorts
Through a connection in California, Rick submitted some music tracks to Andy SambergAndy Samberg
David Andrew "Andy" Samberg is an American actor, comedian, rapper and writer best known as a member of the comedy group The Lonely Island and as a cast member on Saturday Night Live...
's comedy troupe The Lonely Island
The Lonely Island
The Lonely Island is an American comedy troupe composed of Akiva "Kiv" Schaffer, Jorma "Jorm" Taccone, and David Andrew "Andy" Samberg, best known for their comedic music. Originally from Berkeley, California, the group is currently based in New York City. The group broke out due to their...
in 2008, and produced and composed for the track "Like a Boss
Like a Boss
"Like a Boss" is the tenth track with jarden innit and fourth single from The Lonely Island's debut album Incredibad. The song is a parody of the first official single from Slim Thug's first album Already Platinum, also named 'Like a Boss'...
" which appeared on their first album, Incredibad
Incredibad
Incredibad is the debut studio album of the American comedy troupe The Lonely Island, released on February 10, 2009, through Universal Republic Records...
. The song was developed into an Saturday Night Live Digital Short of the same name, and then when the troupe needed another track for "Shy Ronnie", Rick was again approached to create the music.
"Shy Ronnie" aired originally on December 5, 2009. In a classroom, Rihanna sings the hook on top of a hip-hop/R&B beat. As her verse completes, Shy Ronnie takes to the microphone reluctantly and almost silently, causing a very awkward situation between Rihanna and the students. Ronnie fails in multiple ways, from inaudibility to microphone feedback and peeing himself. Rihanna proclaims (still in song) that she should have paid Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
instead to accompany her on the song, and leaves. Immediately upon Rihanna's departure, Ronnie sheds his shy demeanor, and busts out two lines of rap clearly. Rihanna reenters because she forgot her purse—Ronnie reverts to his shy self. When Rihanna leaves again finally, the beat stops, and Ronnie continues in a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
, though ending with a weak finish.
External links
- http://www.reverbnation.com/page_object/page_object_bio/artist_755373