Redman has been an energetic rapper since 1990 and he has carved out a lane because the wisened model of his youthful self, nonetheless sharp lyrically however maybe much less brash than he was a long time in the past. Along with his newest album, Muddy Waters Too, Redman took on the not possible job of making a sequel to his beloved traditional which serves as a return to type for Funk Physician Spot.
Breaking the standard format right here, I need to categorical my deepest apologies to Redman. I used to be not enthusiastic about Muddy Waters Too in in the slightest degree, particularly as a fan of Muddy Waters, the crown jewel of Funk Doc’s discography to some. I understand now that my folly was limiting the New Jersey legend to what I felt was his artistic zenith as a substitute of appreciating that he’s nonetheless right here releasing music that largely appeared cathartic for him. Additional, his fashion had matured over the previous three a long time however he by no means misplaced the power to rhyme at an elite stage, and thru all of it, he’s maintained one thing that’s been lengthy lacking in present Hip-Hop — having enjoyable.
Muddy Waters Too was initially promised in 2013 and on the time, the trade largely moved on from hard-hitting punchline-laden Hip-Hop. This was additionally after the so-called “Weblog Period” interval and the trade’s audio textures shifted as soon as extra. Nonetheless, Purple remained an energetic participant and alongside his longtime collaborator Methodology Man, he perfected his stay efficiency whereas delivering loosies, mixtapes, and different tasks over time however nothing approached the business or important success of his earlier releases.
MW2 nonetheless maintains the sonic ethos of its predecessor, and that features Redman’s zaniness, the everpresent skits, and a throughline of Brick Metropolis (Newark, N.J.) satisfaction. The album opens with “Da F*ck Goin On” which might sound correct at residence on Purple and Meth’s Blackout sequence. Purple digs into the funk on the manufacturing and he sounds in high form. Subsequent up is “Whuts Sizzling” with manufacturing from Khrysis finds Purple rapping together with his typical confidence. Oran “Juice” Jones II, the son of Oran “Juice” Jones, who delivered the ’80s R&B hit, “The Rain,” exhibits up for the hook.
Maybe as a preview of a possible Blackout 3 drop, Methodology Man seems on “Lalala” and the pair go bar for bar over manufacturing from Vinyl Frontiers. A bit fan service occurs early on “Dont You Miss” with Erick Sermon serving up a bass-heavy platter for Purple’s nostalgic journey down reminiscence lane and serves as a powerful ode to the Nineties. Different standouts embody the Tall Black Man-produced “Aye,” a monitor that might’ve run summer time radio if that had been nonetheless a factor, the beforehand launched “Don’t Wanna C Me Wealthy,” and “Pop Da Trunk” with manufacturing from Rockwilder. And whereas Redman is rarely outshined on any monitor, Sheek Louch of The Lox comes fairly shut on “Dynomite.”
About that aforementioned Jersey satisfaction, “Lite It Up” seemingly options the whole state with Naughty By Nature, Queen Latifah, Rah Digga, Shaquille O’Neal, Lord Of The Underground, Girl Luck, The Artifacts, Heather B, Hakim Inexperienced of Chanel Stay, and Nikki D all showing. And no Redman album could be full with a “Soopaman Luva” monitor and half seven of the sequence finds Purple again in his Hood Lothario mode. The album ends with the soulful “Smoke With Me” with manufacturing from DJ Static and Seige Monstracity and Redman using a double-time circulate as he has carried out beforehand.
To get private, one thing magical occurred over the vacations as I lastly took within the album. I approached the report with lofty hopes and I can freely admit that from the intro to the ultimate monitor, I felt as if I had been transported again to 1996 and listening to Muddy Waters for the primary time. Including to this, I discovered myself getting choked up about how good the album sounded, even on tracks I wasn’t essentially wowed by. I instructed everybody close to and expensive to me to take a look at MW2. I felt prefer it was my responsibility to right my wrongs and promote this album as if I labored for Gilla Home myself. I’m nonetheless struck by how Doc was capable of channel the power of practically 30 years in the past and managed to make it sound like now. I vow to by no means doubt Redman once more.
Test Out Muddy Waters Too under.
MUDDY WATERS TOO !! OUT NOW !!https://t.co/zvc3bsY8tQ pic.twitter.com/sHBQ3HHtRv
— Redman (@therealredman) December 24, 2024
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Picture: Getty