Top 57 Quotes & Sayings by Rick James

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American musician Rick James.

Last updated on September 17, 2024.

James Ambrose Johnson Jr., better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, musician and record producer. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, James began his musical career in his teenage years. He was in various bands before entering the U.S. Navy Reserve to avoid being drafted into the army. In 1964, James deserted to Toronto, Canada, where he formed the rock band the Mynah Birds, who eventually signed a recording deal with Motown Records in 1966. James' career with the group halted after military authorities discovered his whereabouts and eventually convicted and sentenced James to a one-year prison term related to the desertion charges. After being released, James moved to California, where he started a variety of rock and funk groups in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

American - Musician | February 1, 1948 - August 6, 2004

Source: Wikipedia

I was angry about the fact that my father would beat my mother on a daily basis, that my mother would take it in turn and beat on me. I was an abused child. I was mad about all those things, very bitter and very angry.

Rick James

I think rap definitely has its place in the art world. I think it is an art form. But, just like any art form, you can misuse it.

Rick James

I mean, Rick James was just a man-made image, the image I created. Just trying to live Rick James almost killed me.

Rick James

I wrote and produced millions and millions of selling records, so my publishing company alone was worth millions of dollars. I didn't have to work anymore in life because when the rappers started sampling... I'm the most sampled artist in history.

Rick James

I was going to get drafted, but I didn't really want to go into the Army.

Rick James

I went to India, lived, and studied.

Rick James

I'm a long way from Ike Turner.

Rick James

I wanted to play the Apollo because I didn't think I was going to be on the earth long.

Rick James

I'm really not tailored for responsibility.

Rick James

I just live one day at a time.

Rick James

I don't have aluminum foil on my windows anymore.

Rick James

I'm finally locked into the now, and it's great.

Rick James

I believe everything happens under God's plan anyway.

Rick James

I'm too old to do crazy things anymore.

Rick James

I had always been a free spirit and always gotten what I wanted.

Rick James

If anything I consider myself non-violent, I'm from the hippy era, peace, love, groovy.

Rick James

After I saw Kiss on stage, I wanted my show to look like the fourth of July. The persona of Rick James was wild and crazy, sex, drugs and rock and roll.

Rick James

You can't have rock and roll without drugs, you can't have rock and roll without sex.

Rick James

I love rap.

Rick James

I'm trying to change the root of funk, trying to make it more progressive, more melodic and more lyrically structured.

Rick James

She's the kind you don't take home to mother.

Rick James

I had always been a free spirit, and always gotten what I wanted.

Rick James

I'm in love with mary jane. she's my main thing. she makes me feel alright. she makes my heart sing. and when I'm feeling low, she comes as no suprise. turns me on with her love, takes me to paradiiiiise do you love me mary jane, yeah now do you think you love me mary jane don't you play no game.

Rick James

Prison was a blessing. Going to prison was the greatest thing that happened to me. It showed me that I wasn't infallible. It showed me that I was just human. It showed me that I can be back with my ghetto brothers I grew up with and have a good time. It taught me to cool out. It taught me patience. It taught me that I didn't ever want to lose my freedom. It taught me that drugs bring on the devil. It taught me to grow up.

Rick James

Off stage it's cool-out time. You can't funk and roll ALL the time.

Rick James

Whether you're rich or poor, life's still cold-blooded.

Rick James

My music is pretty honest. I can't rap on science fiction. Punk is from the street.

Rick James

If anything I consider myself non-violent. I'm from the hippy era, peace, love, groovy.

Rick James

I didn't even think I would make it that long. I thought I would drug overdose, like Jimi Hendrix. I thank God every day to even be here.

Rick James

Now is my time. Everything I've done up to this point is just a warm up. This is where it all begins.

Rick James

I'm still James Johnson. Rick James is a stage name. James Johnson keeps Rick James on the ground... Kind of sort of.

Rick James

I can't hang out as loose as I used to, but I can still go down Jefferson Avenue and look in the faces of winos, pimps and junkies, all the things I'm made of.

Rick James

I don't think the white establishment will ever respect or appreciate a black man who speaks the truth.

Rick James

You can't outdo 'Street Songs' and I didn’t even try. [It] had that special magic that comes with timing and good vibrations and you can't even try to capture that exactly again.

Rick James

I was angry about the fact that my father would beat my mother on a daily basis, that my mother would like take it in turn and beat on me. I was an abused child. I was mad about all those things, very bitter and very angry.

Rick James

I don't try to hide sex in my music. Music is very sexual. I don't hide it.

Rick James

I wanted to play the Apollo Theater because I didn't think I was going to be on the earth long.

Rick James

I'm not part of the Hollywood scene. I don't run around with 30 women. I have a very calm household. I'm surrounded by my grandkids and wonderful friends, and I consider myself very lucky.

Rick James

When I'm about Rick James, it's all about get out there and kill 'em.

Rick James

I'm good. Or maybe people just like me.

Rick James

Anybody that's old and closed-minded does not like Rick James... They don't like the fact that I'm free and I'm wide open.

Rick James

I try to make the audience forget all their problems -- for an hour and a half or so get them out of themselves, and space, and time, and consciousness.

Rick James

I love marijuana - Mary Jane - and you can print that! I smoke it every day and it's the greatest thing since ice cream and I'm not afraid to say it.

Rick James

I decided to build up my band in Buffalo because Buffalo was where I had originally built up my own musical strength.

Rick James

Funkers are people who dig the funk; Little funkers, Big funkers, Old funkers, Young funkers, Foxy funkers, Mother funkers, Papa funkers.

Rick James

I think the people are just looking for freedom in music...There's a lot of she-bop she-bop going on out there. Maybe they're tired of that same old thing.

Rick James

I feel that I have to say something in a song and that it's not just enough to lay down the music.

Rick James

Punk Funk means to be one with yourself. To be rebellious, aggressive, able to do and say what you feel at all times, without inflicting mental or spiritual pain.

Rick James

I wanted my show to look like the fourth of July.

Rick James

My teacher said I would either be a hoodlum, or a great entertainer.

Rick James

I get some letters from girls that if their mothers knew what they were writing me in these letters, they'd get their butts whipped.

Rick James

You and I, we'll be together 'til the six is nine.

Rick James

KISS hammered home the importance of high drama...I decided to design my show with the same goal; I wanted my fans to remember my show for the rest of their lives.

Rick James

I dont have aluminum foil on my windows anymore.

Rick James

If I told you Jesus Christ was black you're going to be afraid of me because I'm telling you the truth. That's where I always come from.

Rick James

That girl is pretty kinky, the girl's a super-freak, I'd really like to taste her.

Rick James

I had $20 million in the bank, girls are following me all over the f - place, people call my name everywhere I go. What would I change? And then one day you get onstage and you see two little girls who look like they are 11 years old sticking their tongues out and pulling their bras down and you quit touring. That's what happened to me.

Rick James

Top 57 Quotes & Sayings by Rick James

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