Redman
Redman in Los Angeles
Background information
Birth name	Reginald Noble
Also known as	Redman, Funk DoctaSpock, Shit Breathed red, Funk Doc
Born	(1970-04-17) April 17, 1970 (age 42) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.[1]
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, record producer, actor
Years active	1990–present
Labels	Def Jam Recordings, Gilla House (CEO)
Associated acts	EPMD, Method Man,Saukrates Def Squad, Timbaland, Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, Danny Hunter, Tame One, Eminem, KRS-One, A Tribe Called Quest, Hit Squad, DMX, LL Cool J
Website	redman.defjam.com

Reginald "Reggie" Noble (born April 17, 1970), better known by his stage name Redman, is an American MC, rapper, DJ, record producer and actor. He came to fame in the early 1990s as an artist on the Def Jam label. He is also well known for his collaborations with Method Man, including their starring roles in films and sitcoms. He was also a member of the Def Squad in the early 1990s. Redman is one-half of the rap duo Method Man & Redman and has been unofficially referred to as the "11th member" of the Wu-Tang Clan.^[2]

Music career[link]

In 1990, Reginald "Reggie" Noble made his world debut on the EPMD album Business as Usual, appearing on tracks "Hardcore" and "Brothers On My Jock".

[edit] Whut? Thee Album & Dare Iz a Darkside (1990–1995)

In 1992 Redman released his debut album, Whut? Thee Album, which Allmusic noted for blending "reggae and funk influences" with a "terse, though fluid rap style".^[1] 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 this 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. Redman's second album was notable for having most of the tracks produced by the artist himself (later on Redman would let other producers make most of his beats). It was also the last album that had any slight gangsta image of Redman, as he would tend to sound more comical and lyrical later on.^[3]

[edit] Muddy Waters (1996–1997)

On December 10, 1996 Redman released his third album Muddy Waters, which was highly praised by critics.^[4][5] The album featured two Billboard Hot 100 singles, "Whateva Man" and "It's Like That (My Big Brother)". The song "Do What You Feel" also appeared on the soundtrack to the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on February 12, 1997.

[edit] El Niño, Doc's da Name 2000 & Blackout (1998–1999)

In 1998 Redman released his first collaboration album El Niño with group Def Squad. His fourth studio album Doc's da Name 2000.^[6] was a top seller, shipping platinum in sales and exceeding his previous record of gold. It peaked at #11 on The Billboard 200 and had three songs ("I'll Bee Dat", "Da Goodness", "Let Da Monkey Out") that charted. With his new formed close partnership with labelmate Method Man who, with him, made a featured appearance with the Dogg Pound in Tupac Shakur's 1996 album All Eyez on Me in the rap song Got My Mind made up, released the 1999 album Blackout! Originally the name of the album was Amerikaz Most Blunted and was advertised as that for months before the release, but they were forced to rename the album. The album has sold 1,575,000 copies to date.

[edit] Malpractice (2001)

Redman In 2001 released his fifth studio album Malpractice. It reached #4 on The Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by the RIAA on July 21, 2001.^[7] It boasted two singles "Let's Get Dirty (I Can't Get In Da Club)" and "Smash Sumthin'".

[edit] Mixtapes, Collaborations & Production (2002–2006)

Since the release of Malpractice, he has kept his fans happy by independently releasing the Ill At Will mixtapes, which feature various members of his new record label Gilla House members under Redman's Gilla House imprint include Saukrates, Icarus, Ready Roc, E3, Young Heat, and Melanie.

Redman had his best-known international hit with Christina Aguilera, when he was 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. He is cited in the song 'Till I Collapse as one of the rappers Eminem rates most highly in the industry.

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.

[edit] Red Gone Wild (2007–2008)

In March 2007, Redman released Red Gone Wild. 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. On March 27, 2007 Redman confirmed on BET's Rap City: Tha Bassment that the sequel to How High, How High 2, is currently being written. In an April 10, 2007 Onion AV Club interview,^[8] Redman hinted that there would be a second collaborative album with Method Man, with work beginning in midsummer or early September.

[edit] Blackout 2! & Reggie (2009–present)

Blackout! 2 was announced in 2007 by Redman and was originally scheduled for release in 2008, but its release was pushed back a number of times due to numerous reasons. In early 2008, a remake of the Smoothe da Hustler and Trigger tha Gambler classic Broken Language was released to the internet by the duo entitled Broken Language 2008, fueling rumors of a Blackout! sequel coming soon. This rumor was further fueled by the duo while performing in Gainesville, FL at the University of Florida. A Blackout! LP was scheduled for a December 9, 2008 release but was recently pushed back to the first quarter of '09. It was finally released on May 19, 2009. It debuted at number #7 on the Billboard 200, at number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, at number 2 on the Top Rap Albums and digital in charted number 7 on the Digital Albums charts selling 63,000 copes its first week.^[9] The album also charted number 10 on Canadian Albums. The album has sold 160,375 copies in the United States by December 12, 2009, according to SoundScan. In May 2009, Redman confirmed his next solo album would come out December, 2009. The title for the project is Reggie Noble "0" 9½.^[10] The title of the album was then changed to just Redman Presents... Reggie, and three singles ("Coc Back", "Oh My", & "Money on My Mind") were released. The first single "Coc Back" (which features Ready Roc) had music video filmed and released for it. But as it turns out, none of the tracks made the final cut of the album, only being promo singles. During an interview, Redman stated that Reggie Noble (Redman's own birth name), does the album, not Redman. Redman also said that there is going to be more, "poppish", type songs, rather his normal "rugged" and "hardcore" songs.^[11] After a few push backs, Redman Presents... Reggie was finally released on December 7, 2010. The first official single is "Def Jammable" & a video was released for the single. It has been confirmed that Redman will appear on a remix along with French rapper Soprano of "Tranne Te" by Italian rapper Fabri Fibra. He has also confirmed work on Blackout! 3 with Method Man with recording starting Summer 2012 & that Muddy Waters II: Even Muddier will be released.^[12]

Other ventures[link]

Film and acting career[link]

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 Soundset in Minneapolis) 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 "conscience", telling the "Original Prankster" what pranks to pull.

In 2004, Redman again co-starred with Method Man in the Nickelodeon cartoon, The Fairly OddParents in School's Out! The Musical, rapping the Pixes's song or Pixes Rap as its called.^[13]

Redman is featured in the 2006 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 UK, Redman was featured in an MTV Cribs special on MTV and TMF. The special was titled Dope Luxorious Cribs.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life[link]

Redman's cousin is rapper Tame One of the hip hop group Artifacts. He is also an alumnus of Montclair State University in New Jersey.

Redman's dog[link]

Redman began boarding his four month old pit bull terrier Daddy with dog trainer Cesar Millan, with Daddy ultimately becoming Millan's "right-hand-man" on his TV show The Dog Whisperer.^[14]

Other media[link]

In August 2007, Redman played a show at the Showbox in Seattle, Washington on short notice after MF Doom canceled his concert. Redman flew from San Francisco after the concert promoters contacted him. In November 2007, Redman performed at the 20th annual High Times Cannabis Cup.^[15]

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• 1992: Whut? Thee Album
• 1994: Dare Iz a Darkside
• 1996: Muddy Waters
• 1998: Doc's da Name 2000
• 2001: Malpractice
• 2007: Red Gone Wild: Thee Album
• 2010: Reggie
• 2012: Muddy Waters II: Even Muddier

Collaboration albums

• 1998: El Niño (with Def Squad)
• 1999: Blackout! (with Method Man)
• 2009: Blackout! 2 (with Method Man)
• 2012: Blackout! 3 (with Method Man)^[16]

Other media[link]

Video games[link]

• 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 made), featured as celebrity

Television shows[link]

• The Jamie Foxx Show (2000) Season 4 episode 21 "Jamie in the Middle"
• Doggy Fizzle Televizzle (2002) (skit appearance)
• Chappelle's Show (2003) Season 1, in which Redman advertises his own (fictional) brand of toilet cleaning product.
• Trippin' (2005)
• Method & Red (June 17 – July 26, 2004) Main role, alongside Method Man
• Wild 'N Out (2007) Season 4
• Celebrity Rap Superstar (2007) Mentor

Filmography[link]

• 1999: Colorz of Rage
• 1999: PIGS
• 2000: Boricua's Bond
• 2000: Backstage
• 2001: Statistic: The Movie
• 2001: How High
• 2002: Stung
• 2003: Thaddeus Fights the Power!
• 2004: Seed of Chucky
• 2005: Hip-Hop Honeys: Las Vegas^[17]
• 2006: Rock the Bells (2004)
• 2006: High Times Stony Awards (co-host)^[18]
• 2012: How High 2

Awards and nominations[link]

Redman has been nominated for two Grammys:

• Grammy Awards
  • 2003, Best Pop Collaboration w/ Vocals "Dirrty" w/ Christina Aguilera (nominated)
  • 2001, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group "Ooh" w/ De La Soul (nominated)

References[link]