Whut? Thee Album

Whut?! Thee Album
Studio album by Redman
Released October 6, 1992
Recorded 1991–1992
Studio Ian London Studios
(East Islip, New York)
North Shore Soundworks
(Commack, New York)
Power Play Studios
(New York, New York)
Genre Hip hop
Length 51:42
Label Def Jam, Chaos, Columbia
Producer Erick Sermon (also exec.), Reggie Noble, Pete Rock
Redman chronology
Whut? Thee Album
(1992)		 Dare Iz a Darkside
(1994)
Singles from Whut? Thee Album
  1. "Blow Your Mind"
    Released: August 27, 1992
  2. "Time 4 Sum Aksion"
    Released: January 12, 1993
  3. "Tonight's da Night"
    Released: May 4, 1993

Whut?! Thee Album is the debut studio album by American rapper Redman; it was released on October 6, 1992 by Def Jam Recordings and Chaos Recordings, a dimension of Columbia Records. While taking place at Ian London Studios, North Shore Soundworks and Power Play Studios, recording sessions began in 1991 and continued into 1992. The album heavily features production from mentor and fellow Hit Squad member Erick Sermon, as well as Redman himself under his birth name, with additional production from Pete Rock.

Upon its release, Whut? Thee Album debuted at number 49 on the US Billboard 200. In June 1993, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), exceeding the sales of 500,000 copies in the United States. The album initially garnered favorable reviews from music critics due to Redman's humorous lyrics, and the album's production, which was noted as having the "EPMD sound." Over the years, Whut? has been commonly esteemed as a classic hip hop album, and along with Muddy Waters, it is widely regarded as Redman's best work.

Background

Reggie "Redman" Noble spent the majority of his youth selling drugs, and DJing at clubs and parties.[1] At the age of 16, he began rapping, being heavily influenced by the comedy raps of Biz Markie.[1] Although, he would eventually become a close affiliate of the hip hop duo EPMD, it wasn't until 1990, where Redman first met them, while DJing for DoItAll (of Lords of the Underground) at a club where MC Lyte was headlining.[1] The two parties eventually met backstage where a freestyle cipher was taking place,[2] with EPMD member Erick Sermon being so impressed with Redman's raps that he invited him to perform during the duo's set.[2] Before long, EPMD quickly embraced Redman as a Hit Squad member, while they brought him on tour to freestyle and DJ at their shows.[3] In addition, EPMD gave Redman two guest spots for the songs "Hardcore" and "Brothers on My Jock", off their third album Business as Usual (1990), which helped him gain expousure in the hip hop underground. One year later, Redman was signed to Def Jam, where he began writing and recording what would eventually become Whut? Thee Album.[3]

According to Erick Sermon, Q-Tip (from the group A Tribe Called Quest) was instrumental in Redman's obtaining a record deal.[4] Q-Tip had been in the Rush Management offices, and after hearing Redman's song "Jam 4 U", tried to persuade Lyor Cohen and Big D ([Lyor's tour manager]) to give Redman a deal.[4] Initially, Sermon stated that Cohen wasn't too interested in the material, stating "We had "Hardcore", the teaser, and then when an early bootleg of "Head Banger" came out, they were like, 'we made the right choice.'"[4]

Recording for the album began in 1991, and continued into 1992, while taking place at Ian London Studios, North Shore Soundworks, and Power Play Studios.[5] During this time, Redman did another collaboration with EPMD on their fourth album Business Never Personal (1992). As EPMD member Parish Smith was often credited for mentoring Hit Squad artists Das EFX and K-Solo, Erick Sermon helped mentor Redman throughout the album, while receiving co-production credits for most of the album's songs.[3] In spite of this, Redman was still left alone throughout the majority of the writing and recording process.[6] He later recollected "For that whole album I was under a lot of pressure to learn, and learn quickly. Erick showed me a couple of recording moves, then threw me in the studio and just left me there. I had to learn and do it myself. Erick was always there if I really needed him, so it wasn't that bad. But he had his own shit to deal with and he figured I was okay on my own."[7] Redman further stated "When I first started doing the album I was mad at Erick for leaving me in the studio. I was like 'what the fuck am I doing here?' I had an album to hit the world with, and it was just up to me. But I'm glad he did it, because I learned everything that I needed to."[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Robert Christgau[9]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[10]
Melody Maker[11]
RapReviews10/10[12]
The Source[13]
The Washington Post(favorable)[14]

Whut? Thee Album received positive reviews from music critics upon its release. Entertainment Weekly's James Bernard gave the album an A- rating, and called it "engaging, hilarious, bargain-basement funk that doesn't care what you think".[10] In its November 1992 issue, The Source magazine rated it 4½ out of 5 "mics", with writer Matty C declaring the album as living up to the expectations it accumulated in the previous year. Although he was un-favorable of its skits, he praised the album's "funky" production, and Redman's charismatic lyrics and flow, stating "...not only has he mastered the laid back, homicidal flow, but he can also have you picking yourself up from the floor from his hysterical punchlines".[13] In his review for The Washington Post, Gil Griffin wrote "EPMD produced this album and give it their trademark, thick hard funky stamp, while Redman kicks it with his deep, convincing voice, likening himself to a psycho, a lover and a fighter. The booming drums come in extra handy on "Blow Your Mind," "Time 4 Sum Aksion" and "So Ruff," where he flows with free-style rhymes".[14]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at 49 on the US Billboard 200 and has reached the fifth spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[15] In June 1993, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[16]

Legacy

Since its initial release, Whut? Thee Album has risen in stature, and has been regarded as a hip hop classic from several music critics and writers. In 1998, it was included in the Source magazine's 100 Best Rap Albums list.[17] In 2000, Melody Maker gave the album 4½ out of 5 stars, while calling it a "landmark hip-hop album".[11] Allmusic's Steve Huey gave the album 4½ out of 5 stars, stating "Whut? Thee Album is a terrific debut that established Redman as one of the top MCs on the East Coast. His aggressive delivery is more than hardcore enough for the streets, but Whut? is first and foremost a party record ... He's able to carry it all off with a singular sense of style, thanks to a wild sense of humor that results in some outlandish boasts, surreal threats, and hilarious left-field jokes."[8] In 2008, Henry Adaso from About.com ranked Whut? Thee Album number five on his Best Rap Albums of 1992 list,[18] and number 32 on his 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums list.[19]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Psycho Ward"  Reggie Noble1:28
2."Time 4 Sum Aksion"  Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble3:25
3."Da Funk"  Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble2:18
4."News Break"  Reggie Noble0:38
5."So Ruff" (featuring DJ Scratch)Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble3:47
6."Rated 'R'"  Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble3:21
7."Watch Yo Nuggets" (featuring Erick Sermon & Charlie Marotta)Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble3:50
8."Psycho Dub"  Reggie Noble0:28
9."Jam 4 U"  Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble3:06
10."Blow Your Mind"  Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble3:56
11."Hardcore"  EPMD, Mr. Bozack1:59
12."Funky Uncles"  Reggie Noble1:06
13."Redman Meets Reggie Noble"  Reggie Noble2:31
14."Tonight's Da Night"  Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble3:22
15."Blow Your Mind (Remix)"  Reggie Noble3:18
16."I'm a Bad"  Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble2:52
17."Sessed One Night"  Reggie Noble0:49
18."How to Roll a Blunt"  Reggie Noble, Pete Rock3:23
19."Sooper Luver Interview"  Reggie Noble0:53
20."A Day of Sooperman Lover"  Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble3:50
21."Encore"  Reggie Noble1:21
Total length:51:42

Sample credits

Time 4 Sum Aksion

Da Funk

So Ruff

  • "Jungle Boogie" performed by Kool & The Gang
  • "Bop Gun" performed by Parliament
  • "Flash Light" performed by Parliament
  • "Sing a Simple Song" performed by Sly & The Family Stone
  • "More Bounce to the Ounce" performed by Zapp

Rated 'R

Watch Yo Nuggets

Psycho Dub

Jam 4 U

Blow Your Mind

  • "The Payback" performed by James Brown
  • "The Show" performed by Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick
  • "Outstanding" performed by The Gap Band
  • "The Big Bang Theory" performed by Parliament
  • "Theme from the Black Hole" performed by Parliament
  • "Sing a Simple Song" performed by Sly & The Family Stone
  • "Dance Floor" performed by Zapp
  • "I Can Make You Dance" performed by Zapp
  • "Computer Love" performed by Zapp

Hardcore

  • "Hardcore" performed by EPMD

Redman Meets Reggie Noble

  • "Blind Alley" performed by Emotions
  • "Uphill Peace of Mind" performed by Kid Dynamite
  • "Hector" performed by Village Callers

Tonight's da Night

  • "The Payback" performed by James Brown
  • "A Few More Kisses to Go" performed by Isaac Hayes
  • "All Night Long" performed by Mary Jane Girls
  • "Tonight's The Night" performed by Raydio

I'm a Bad

How to Roll a Blunt

  • "Risin' to the Top" performed by Keni Burke
  • "Fat Cakes" performed by Jimmy McGriff

A Day of Sooperman Lover

Encore

Personnel

Information adapted from album liner notes.

  • Reggie "Redman" Noble – performer, producer
  • Erick Sermon – producer, performer
  • Parish Smith – producer
  • Pete Rock – producer
  • Mr. Bozack – producer
  • Hurricane G – performer
  • DJ Scratch – scratches (track 5)
  • Charlie Marotta – recorder
  • Ken Wallace – recorder
  • Ivan Rodriguez – recorder, mixing
  • Everett Ramos – assistant recorder
  • Rod Cee – assistant mixing
  • The Drawing Board – art direction, design
  • Timothy Carter – photography

Chart history

Album

Chart (1992)[15] Peak
position
US Billboard 200 49
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 5

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions[20]
U.S. Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks U.S. Hot Rap Singles
1992 "Blow Your Mind" 4 42 1
1993 "Time 4 Sum Aksion" 32 63 1
"Tonight's da Night" — 78 20
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Coleman (2007) P. 362
  2. 1 2 Coleman (2007) P. 362-363
  3. 1 2 3 Coleman (2007) P. 363
  4. 1 2 3 Markman, Rob, Thompson, Bonsu. "Moment". XXL (November 2009): pg. 054.
  5. ↑ Credits as per liner notes for Whut? Thee Album.
  6. 1 2 Coleman (2007) P. 364
  7. ↑ Coleman (2007) P. 363-364
  8. 1 2 Huey, Steve. "allmusic ((( Whut? Thee Album > Review )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  9. ↑ Christgau, Robert (1992). "Review: Whut? Thee Album". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  10. 1 2 Bernard, James (1992-11-06). "Whut? Thee Album – Music – EW.com". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  11. 1 2 "Whut? Thee Album Review Snippets". cduniverse.com. 2000-05-21. Retrieved 2011-02-04. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  12. ↑ Spratt, Ryan (2001-03-10). "Redman :: Whut? Thee Album :: Def Jam". RapReviews.com. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  13. 1 2 C, Matty (1992). "RECORD REPORT – ALBUMS – REDMAN – Whut... Thee... Album?". The Source. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  14. 1 2 Griffin, Gil (1992-11-27). "Redman –Whut? Thee Album Review – The Washington Post". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  15. 1 2 "allmusic ((( Whut? Thee Album > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  16. ↑ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – November 15, 2006 : Search Results – Redman". RIAA. Retrieved 2006-11-15.
  17. ↑ Columnist. 100 Best Rap Albums. The Source. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  18. ↑ Adaso, Henry. Best Rap Albums of 1992. About.com. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  19. ↑ Adaso, Henry. 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums. About.com. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
  20. ↑ "allmusic ((( Whut? Thee Album > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-16.

References

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