It’s not like he tries to hide it: Redman is unapologetically 90s. “Of course I think my era’s the best,” he growls on “Bars,” one of many gritty boom bap anthems on Mudface, his first album in five years. Indeed, we’re a far cry from the time when Redman single-handedly saved Def Jam from bankruptcy in the 90s. Nowadays, it seems like Reggie Noble spends most of his time in the label limbo created after announcing potentially high-profile releases like Muddy Waters 2 or Blackout 3. Most of his Def Jam labelmates from back in the day are now either moguls or reality TV punchlines. But Funk Doc remains in the trenches. An effortlessly likeable rapper’s rapper, ruthlessly effective on the mic, funny – and seemingly forgotten by the public-at-large.
And while Mudface could have put the spotlight back on him, it is an album that very much preaches to the choir. It’s vintage Redman. Punchlines whizz by left and right; ruggedly funky, bass-driven beats practically force you to nod along; and the subject matter remains in his usual wheelhouse of weed, violence and sex. This is by no means a bad thing. And Mudface is a definite step up from 2010’s Reggie, one of the rare misfires in Redman’s discography. Red tries to rebrand himself as an independent artist here, free from the major label shackles that seemed to slow down his career for the latter half of the 2000’s, and it does indeed sound like he’s having fun. The hilarious video for Dopeman is a case in point. But when it’s all said and done, the fact remains that Mudface feels more like a mixtape with a few bells and whistles than a new statement for where Redman’s career is going to go from here.
Muddy Waters 2: The Preload proved to everyone that he’s still got bars. But Redman always had a unifying vision for his full-length LPs. From Whut? Thee Album to Malpractice (and even on Red Gone Wild) there was an almost cinematic sweep to his albums. Mudface, in comparison, feels smaller, less consequential, like a simple succession of disparate rap songs. They’re all consistently good songs, but they don’t quite amount to a satisfying album.
It all kicks off (after the obligatory Dr. Travis intro) with “Wus Really Hood,” a thumping, minimalistic call to arms (“When I do a show when it’s over: bitches / When you do a show when it’s over: crickets”). On the moody “Gettin’ Inside” Redman reckons with his status as an underdog (“Fuck outside, I’m getting inside”). The riddim-inflected “N***a Like Me” finds Funk Doc serenading his favorite all-natural medicine. On “Let It Go,” Redman effortlessly flows over 808 drums and a somewhat timid sub bass. And boom-bap lovers will appreciate the album’s closer “Go Hard” with its hard-hitting drums and jumpy keys.
This lot might not move the needle on Redman’s popularity. But one thing is for sure: Mudface is an album for the long-time fan. 34 minutes of bars that will put a smile on the face of anyone old enough to remember seeing How High in theaters. If there was more an artistic vision to accompany his prodigious talent. Redman is a legend of the underground. But, on Mudface, he only partly lives up to that name.
Most of his Def Jam labelmates from back in the day are now either moguls or reality TV punchlines. But Funk Doc remains in the trenches. This snippet is a very lame review of an iconic HIP HOP artist. If an artist is not in the main stream does not mean he is not relevant. Funk Doc has been tru to his style for all these years, why do you have to compare him to all the sellout artist who does this for the money and fame and not for the love of HIP HOP. I used to love Def Jam’s line up back in the day but it is so commercial right now as they forgot what real HIP HOP was about. Yes, Reggie album was crap, but it was done under the Def Jam umbrella, trying to conform to its commercial fan base. Mudface is not Doc’s best album, but it is tru to his HIP HOP roots. This album took me back to what HIP HOP was in its tru form. I believe he needs to get recognition for his contribution to being a HIP HOP artist and you do not need to be a mogul to do this. Redman FOREVER!!! REAL HIP HOP FOREVER!!!!
Hi Young Thug, Forgot what real hip hop is!!!! 90’s hip hop all the way!!
I’m slowly losing respect for DX’s reviews…according to the review, the songs are all good and yet, because it lacks cohesiveness, it’s a 3?? I’ll give it a 4 if that’s the only complaint…the beats were great and the bars were on point. I, for one, didn’t skip one record 4/5
this album is easily 4,5/5.
those over 40 rappers are all WAY better than those younger newb-rappers like kendrick or drake (who both are rly bad at rapping).
finally some real rap, thank you redman i love u!
Dope album. Horrible review.
I am a huge Redman fan like the album. I saw an interview with Funk Doc a few days ago he said this is an appetizer. Muddy Waters 2 is going to be should be some of his bet work because Muddy Waters was a classic definitely should have been a platinum album!!!
NOT MAD AT THIS. IT’S AN APPETIZER/PRE-ALBUM & SHOULDN’R BE JUDGED AS AN OFFICIAL RELEASE. HOPEFULLY HE SAVED ALL THE HOT SHIT FOR THE ALBUM. RED’S ENERGY IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
There are 2 songs on here worth listening to again.
Worst thing Redman has ever released.
Agreed. Totally underwhelming and lacking in vision. To be honest, Red should’ve made a reggae album. They’re the two best joints.
sooo much better than his last release
Ha! 20 years Later REdman still putting out Good Albums. 3 out of 5 is not bad at all
Great Album 4/5
Red Gone Wild is Redman best album
Muddy waters is redmans best album.He even says it himself.That’s why he’s making a part 2
i bump this album hard. funny skits, good beats, aggressive lyrics….good album to me
i bump this album hard. funny skits, good beats, aggressive lyrics….good album to me
–forgot to rate
Just listened to this joint and it was surprisingly good better than reggie album. It sounds like what u expect from a Redman album, its not his best but its also good. skits, punchlines n rugged beats Red formula…
Its a mixtape not a album. I don’t know why this site bothers reviewing music. Because all you seem interested in is Beef. Black people go on about the police and rightly so. But why not get on these hip hop websites backs for trying to stir up beef between black people all the time. Its disgusting and such a shame that people in hip hop didnt speak more about this
Great Album
Only 3 stars??? Solid Album
Weak ass album
..
Red is still Red 🙂
Hip hop joint 4.5 no doubt almost a classic piece. Red took these lil niggas back to school..