| Whut? Thee Album | |
|---|---|
 Studio album by Redman | |
|
Released |
September 22, 1992 |
|
Recorded |
August 1991 - May 1992 |
|
Studio |
Ian London Studios |
|
Genre |
|
|
Length |
51:42 |
|
Label |
|
|
Producer |
Reggie Noble, Pete Rock, Erick Sermon (also exec.) |
| Redman chronology | |
|---|---|
|
Next |
Dare Iz a Darkside (1994) |
Whut? Thee Album is the debut studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on September 22, 1992 through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Ian London Studios, Power Play Studios and North Shore Soundworks in New York City from August 1991 to May 1992. Production was handled primarily by Erick Sermon and Redman himself under his birth name Reggie Noble, with Pete Rock supplying additional production on one song.
Upon its release, the album peaked at #49 on the Billboard 200 and #5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Whut? Thee Album released the singles: "Time 4 Sum Aksion", "Blow Your Mind" and "Tonight's da Night". 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 an EPMD sound. Over time, Whut? has been regarded as a classic hip hop album, and it is widely regarded as Redman's best work along with his 1996 album Muddy Waters.
Critical reception[]
Whut? Thee Album received favorable 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". 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". 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".
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. In 2000, Melody Maker gave the album 4½ out of 5 stars, while calling it a "landmark hip-hop album". 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." In 2008, Henry Adaso from About.com ranked Whut? Thee Album number five on his Best Rap Albums of 1992 list, and number 32 on his 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums list.
Track listing[]
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Psycho Ward" | - | Noble | Reggie Noble | 1:28 |
| 2. | "Time 4 Sum Aksion" | Redman | Fulsom, McCracklin, Muggerud, Noble, Troutman, Troutman | Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble (co.) | 3:25 |
| 3. | "Da Funk" | Redman | Clinton, Collins, Noble, Worrell | Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble (co.) | 2:18 |
| 4. | "News Break" | - | Noble | Reggie Noble | 0:38 |
| 5. | "So Ruff" | Redman | Bell, Bell, Boyce, Brown, Clinton, Collins, Mickens, Noble, Shider, Smith, Thomas, Westfield, Worrell | Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble (co.) | 3:47 |
| 6. | "Rated "R"" | Redman | Brown, Noble | Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble (co.) | 3:21 |
| 7. | "Watch Yo Nuggets" | Redman, Erick Sermon | Clinton, Noble, Shider, Spradley | Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble (co.) | 3:50 |
| 8. | "Psycho Dub" | - | Noble | Reggie Noble | 0:28 |
| 9. | "Jam 4 U" | Redman | Gatling, Griffin, Hall, Noble, Riley | Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble (co.) | 3:06 |
| 10. | "Blow Your Mind" | Redman | Calhoun, Clinton, Noble, Theracon, Troutman, Troutman, Vitti | Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble (co.) | 3:56 |
| 11. | "Hardcore" | Redman | Sermon, Smith | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith, Mr. Bozack (co.) | 1:59 |
| 12. | "Funky Uncles" | - | Noble | Reggie Noble | 1:06 |
| 13. | "Redman Meets Reggie Noble" | Redman | Noble | Reggie Noble | 2:31 |
| 14. | "Tonight's da Night" | Redman | James, Noble, Stone | Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble (co.) | 3:22 |
| 15. | "Blow Your Mind (Remix)" | Redman | Clinton, Noble, Theracon, Troutman, Troutman, Vitti | Reggie Noble | 3:18 |
| 16. | "I'm a Bad" | Redman | Noble | Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble (co.) | 2:52 |
| 17. | "Sessed One Night" | - | Noble | Reggie Noble | 0:49 |
| 18. | "How to Roll a Blunt" | Redman | Burke, Felder, Noble, Wright | Reggie Noble, Pete Rock (co.) | 3:23 |
| 19. | "Sooper Luver Interview" | - | Noble | Reggie Noble | 0:53 |
| 20. | "A Day of Sooperman Lover" | Redman | Brown, Noble, Starks, Watson, Wesley | Erick Sermon, Reggie Noble | 3:50 |
| 21. | "Encore" | - | - | Reggie Noble | 1:21 |