Biography

Music career

Redman was born in Newark, New Jersey. In 1992, Redman released his debut album, Whut? Thee Album, which All Music Guide noted for blending "reggae and funk influences" with a "terse, though fluid rap style". The album peaked at number forty-nine on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold. He was named "Rap Artist of the Year" by The Source. Redman followed up with his 1994 album, Dare Iz a Darkside. The first single, "Rockafella," samples Leon Haywood's "I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You" and George Clinton's "Flashlight," two of the most sampled songs in hip hop.

In December 1996, Redman released Muddy Waters. Rolling Stone wrote that he provides "choppy, offbeat verses and memorable call-and-response choruses" with a "stripped down but tight" production from producer Erick Sermon. All Music Guide noted that lyrically, Redman is "as strong as ever" with his "clever metaphors and loose, elastic rhyme flows". The album solidified his reputation as one of the most consistent rappers of the 1990s.

Redman's solo career continued throughout the remainder of the decade, with each of his albums selling at least half a million copies. His musical style has remained very consistent, rarely deviating from a combination of Redman's unique braggadocious wit and hard hitting beats. In addition to releasing albums under his own name, he is part of the group Def Squad (along with Keith Murray and Erick Sermon) with whom he released the 1998 album El Niño, and also has formed a close partnership with labelmate Method Man (of the Wu-Tang Clan) with whom he released the 1999 album Blackout!.

Redman had his best-known international hit with Christina Aguilera, when he featured on her 2002 single "Dirrty". Around this time he was also featured on a popular remix of Pink's track Get This Party Started. Since the release of Redman's last studio album, he has kept his fans happy by independently releasing the Ill At Will mixtapes, which feature various members of his Gilla House crew, including Saukrates and Icarus. Other members under Redman's Gilla House imprint include Ready Roc, E3, Runt Dog, and Melanie. Under his birthname, Reggie Noble, Redman has done production for himself, many of his crew members, and even Shaquille O'Neal on his 'Shaq-Fu: Da Return' album.

In March 2007, Redman released Red Gone Wild and is releasing Muddy Waters 2 in November 2007. He says that the reason for the long wait to drop the album is because of the fast-changing pace of Hip Hop on his MySpace interview.

Redman discussed his album, state of his career and hip hop as a whole on The Breakdown an internet show on Onloq.com.

Other media

In 2001, Redman co-starred with Method Man in the stoner comedy film How High, which featured the pair playing two marijuana-addled students attempting to survive at Harvard. Redman also stated at a recent concert (at the Showbox in Seattle) that he and Method Man are working on How High 2, a sequel to the first movie. Redman also played a major role in the horror film Seed of Chucky. He has been very selective of what movie roles he takes and wants to play starring roles with other notable actors. Method Man and Redman also appear in Def Jam Vendetta, Def Jam: Fight for NY and Def Jam: Icon video games, often as tag team partners, and briefly had their own television sitcom, Method & Red, on Fox during the 2003–2004 season. In the music video for The Offspring's single Original Prankster, Redman plays the part of the "Original Prankster".

Redman also features on the video game True Crime: New York City. He provides the voice of himself in a mini-game where he tries to escape New York during a riot. This character also has a cameo in the main storyline.

In the U.K, Redman was featured in an MTV Cribs special on MTV and TMF. The special was titled Crap Cribs.

In 2004, Redman again co-starred with Method Man in the Nickelodeon cartoon, The Fairly OddParents in School's Out!: The Musical, rapping several rap songs.

In August 2007, Redman played a show at the Showbox in Seattle, WA on very short notice after MF Doom canceled his concert. Redman flew from San Francisco, CA after the concert promoters contacted him. In November 2007, Redman is slated to perform at the 20th annual High Times Cannabis Cup.

Discography

• 1992: Whut? Thee Album
• 1994: Dare Iz a Darkside
• 1996: Muddy Waters
• 1998: El Niño (with Def Squad)
• 1998: Doc's da Name 2000
• 1999: Blackout! (with Method Man)
• 2001: Malpractice
• 2007: Red Gone Wild
• 2008: Muddy Waters 2
• TBA: Doc's Da Name 3000

Other media

Video games

• NBA 2K1 (Hidden player)
• Def Jam Vendetta
• Def Jam: Fight for NY
• Def Jam: Icon
• True Crime: New York City
• NBA 2K6 (24/7 EBC mode), featured as celebrity

Television shows

• The Wayans Bros (1998)
• The Jamie Foxx Show (2000) Season 4 episode 21 "Jamie in the Middle"
• Chapelle's Show Season One, in which Redman advertises his own (fictional) brand of toilet cleaning product.
• Trippin' (2005)
• Method & Red
• Wild 'N Out (2007) Season 4
• Celebrity Rap Superstar (2007) Mentor

Filmography

• 1999: Colorz of Rage
• 1999: PIGS
• 2000: Boricua's Bond
• 2001: Statistic: The Movie
• 2001: How High
• 2002: Doggy Fizzle Televizzle (skit appearance)
• 2002: Stung
• 2003: Thaddeus Fights the Power!
• 2003: Scary Movie 3
• 2004: Method & Red
• 2004: Seed of Chucky
• 2006: High Times Stony Awards (Cohost)