Redman’s debut, Whut? Thee Album, hit stores in 1992, and it sounded like nothing hip-hop-heads had heard before. The album’s sound was rooted in the meat-and-potatoes funk of Redman’s mentor/fellow Def Squad member Erick Sermon in his work with EPMD, but Redman’s brash energy, pop-culture-crazed punchlines, and aggressive-goofball persona were wholly original. In the nearly two decades since, Redman has evolved into a hip-hop institution. He’s popped up on countless albums as a guest rapper, and has released seven solo albums, a Def Squad collaborative album with Sermon and Keith Murray, and a pair of critically acclaimed hit collaborations with Method Man. He’s also branched out into other fields, starring in the 2001 stoner classic How High (with Method Man), 2004’s Seed Of Chucky,and the ill-fated sitcom Method & Red. Redman and Method Man made news recently when Method Man was hit in the head and injured with a beer can while performing alongside Redman at Insane Clown Posse’s Gathering Of The Juggalos. In connection with Redman’s new Def Jam solo album, Reggie, The A.V. Club recently spoke with the rapper about his relationship with Wu-Tang Clan, playing the Gathering Of The Juggalos, and the inspiration he draws from President Obama and Michael Jackson.
The A.V. Club: You said this album is the product of Reggie Noble rather than Redman. What do you mean by that?
Redman: As far as music-wise, just broadening the music, showing growth. I know we dealing with a new generation, I just don’t have the Redman antics on this album. Forget what you expect from this album. “Sooperman Lover,” I don’t have that. So it’s basically a Reggie album, just showing growth.
AVC: Would you say it’s more personal than your previous albums?
R: You know what? I didn’t take it personal. I didn’t do the album personally. I did it like a mix-tape. I did it and put it out.
AVC: Would you say that Redman is a character, or a persona you inhabit?
R: Umm… Redman is like a persona. I really didn’t wanna get into the alter-ego thing, you know, like character and personality. It was just basically alter ego on the music.
AVC: On Reggie, you refer to yourself as the 11th member of Wu-Tang. What was your relationship with Wu-Tang Clan like?
R: When the Wu came out, I was onto their music. I did a Phat Jam [concert] with Russell Simmons back in ’94. That aired live, and I came out to their song. And they was in the audience, and they really appreciated it. And from there, I just been supporting Wu-Tang. Me and Meth, back in ’93, we did the Month Of The Man Tour. We basically been carrying the Def Squad name and the Wu-Tang name on our back ever since then, and we still are. It just came to a point where, maybe in 2001, Erick Sermon said “Method Man is part of our crew.” ’Cuz we did so much work and so much business and conquered the world with Redman and Method Man products, that he was like “Meth is Def Squad.” And you know, I was like, “Yeah, that’s my boy, he is part of our crew.” And it was just like Meth returning the favor, like “You part of Wu-Tang. You been screaming out Wu-Tang since day one. You the 11th member.” So that’s how this came about, just good work, mind to mind.