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Hip-hop icon Slick Rick has unveiled the cover image for his upcoming visual album, VICTORY — a powerful, posh, elegant portrait captured by none other than legendary photographer Jonathan Mannion. This marks a historic reunion between the two creatives, reuniting 26 years after Mannion shot the cover of Slick Rick’s 1999 multi-platinum album The Art of Storytelling.
The VICTORY cover was photographed at Slick Rick’s home in New York, blending timeless swagger with intimate authenticity. The image nods to Rick’s regal style and storytelling legacy while ushering in a fresh new chapter in visual narrative and hip-hop culture.
Stepping back behind Mannion’s lens after all these years was a powerful full-circle moment,” said Slick Rick. “What we have created together goes beyond just a photograph — it’s about creativity’s impact, and inspiring the next.”
Known for capturing some of the most iconic images in hip-hop history, Jonathan Mannion brings his distinct visual language to VICTORY, elevating the spirit of resilience, excellence, and cultural pride embedded in the project — especially significant as VICTORY launches in the season of Juneteenth and Black Music Month.
“Working with Rick the Ruler again was nothing short of an honor,” said Mannion. “From The Art of Storytelling to Victory, we’ve traced a full arc — one that spans decades of influence and innovation. Rick isn’t just a king — he’s a cultural monarch, and this portrait is his crown.”
The VICTORY visual album (executive produced by Idris Elba and directed by Meji Alabi) will feature both new music and cinematic storytelling, further cementing Slick Rick’s tradition of fusing poetry, lyricism, style, and narrative mastery.
