Redman

Redman is the performing name of Reginald Noble, a US rapper and record producer from Newark, New Jersey. Born in 1970, he rises to prominence in the early 1990s after joining Def Jam Recordings and building a reputation for fast, playful, East Coast-rooted rap. His work is associated with boom bap, east coast hip hop, hardcore hip hop and hip hop.

Early life and beginnings

Redman is born and raised in Newark. He attends Speedway Avenue School, 13th Avenue School and West Side High School, and later spends a brief period at Montclair State University before being expelled in his freshman year for poor academic performance. After returning home, he is later asked to leave by his mother. As a teenager, he performs as a DJ and MC under the name DJ Kut-Killa, freestyling over funk and hip-hop instrumentals at parties and in public spaces in New York and New Jersey.

He is discovered by Erick Sermon of EPMD while working as a DJ for Lords of the Underground. After moving in with Sermon, he tours with EPMD in support roles before appearing on stage. His wider attention comes in 1990 after a freestyle performance at an EPMD concert, which leads to work on his debut album.

Recording career

Redman makes his recorded debut on EPMD’s 1990 album Business as Usual, appearing on the tracks “Hardcore” and “Brothers on My Jock”. His first solo album, Whut? Thee Album (1992), blends funk and reggae influences with his rap style and is certified gold. Dare Iz a Darkside (1994) also reaches the Billboard 200 and earns gold certification. Redman later says that album is recorded during a difficult period marked by substance abuse.

Muddy Waters (1996) receives critical acclaim and includes the singles “Whateva Man” and “It’s Like That (My Big Brother)”. Around the same period, he works with Tupac Shakur on All Eyez on Me. In 1998, he releases El Niño with Def Squad and follows it with Doc’s Da Name 2000, which goes platinum and includes “I’ll Bee Dat”, “Da Goodness” and “Let Da Monkey Out”. Malpractice (2001) reaches number four on the Billboard 200 and is certified gold. He later releases Red Gone Wild: Thee Album in 2007, Reggie in 2010, Mudface in 2015 and Muddy Waters Too in 2024.

Collaborations and groups

Redman is known for his long-running collaboration with Method Man as part of Method Man & Redman. The duo appear together in the film How High and the television series Method & Red. They also release the collaborative album Blackout! in 1999 and Blackout! 2 in 2009.

He is also a member of Def Squad. Other group affiliations listed for him include GOH, 1000volts, Beats by Dre Band, Hit Squad and Redman & Govmattic.

Other work and influence

In the years after Malpractice, Redman releases the Ill at Will mixtape series and works with a number of other artists. His credits include Christina Aguilera’s “Dirrty” and a remix of Pink’s “Get This Party Started”. He also produces music under his birth name for other artists, including Shaquille O’Neal.

Redman is cited by Eminem as an influence. His later releases include the track “80 Barz”, made with producer Chris Pinset in 2021, and the EP 3 Joints in 2020. His labels include Funky Knoble Music and Funky Noble Productions, Inc.