- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJames Ambrose Johnson Jr.
- Nickname
- The King of Punk Funk
- Height5′ 11¼″ (1.81 m)
- Rick James was born on February 1, 1948 in Buffalo, New York, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Colors (1988), The Happytime Murders (2018) and Blue Streak (1999). He was married to Tanya Hijazi. He died on August 6, 2004 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- SpousesTanya Hijazi(December 24, 1997 - 2002) (divorced, 1 child)? (divorced)
- ChildrenJames Ambrose Johnson IIITazman James Johnson
- Sued rapper M.C. Hammer in 1990 for unauthorized use of music samples of his song "Superfreak" in Hammer's hit song "U Can't Touch This". The case was settled out of court, and along with another songwriter who wrote "Superfreak", he received songwriting credits on "U Can't Touch This".
- His cause of death was determined to be pulmonary and cardiac failure with his various health conditions of diabetes, stroke, and a pacemaker listed as attributing factors. He had small quantities of nine different drugs in his system, including cocaine.
- On November 9, 1998, he suffered a stroke after completing a two-hour show in Denver's Mammoth Events Center.
- In 1993 both he and Tanya Hijazi were convicted of assault on two women. He served two years. She served 15 months.
- He and Tanya Hijazi lived together from 1986 until their marriage. They have a son, Tazman James, born in 1992.
- [on Charlie Murphy] But you know, he was hanging out with the big dogs, you know, Charlie didn't know he was doing crazy things, and I had to straighten him out. Sometimes I had to upside his head.
- [1998 interview with the "New York Times"] I had always been a free spirit, and always gotten what I wanted.
- [on his appearance on Chappelle's Show (2003)] I love Dave [Dave Chappelle]. I think he's brought something to comedy that people haven't seen before. He's a beautiful human being, and [Charlie Murphy] is a very dear friend. Everywhere I go, white folks, black folks, green folks, I hear "I'm Rick James, bitch!" I don't really think David did it purposely. I take that back. He probably did.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
