Redman

Redman, born Reggie Noble in Newark, New Jersey, is a rapper, producer and actor who emerged from the influential Def Squad and Hit Squad camps in the early 1990s. He first appeared on record contributing to EPMD's «Business As Usual» and later delivered a standout guest verse on their track «Head Banger» before releasing his own acclaimed debut, «Whut? Thee Album», produced largely by Erick Sermon.

Known by the nickname Funk Doctor Spot, Redman built a reputation on gritty, funk-heavy production, playful yet hard-edged wordplay, and an unmistakably raw, energetic delivery. His run of albums through the 1990s — including «Dare Iz a Darkside», «Muddy Waters» and «Doc's da Name 2000» — cemented his status as one of the era's most respected lyricists, earning consistent praise from critics and peers alike.

Redman's chemistry with Method Man, first showcased on «How High» from The Show soundtrack, became one of the most celebrated partnerships in hip-hop, spawning further collaborative projects and a shared big-screen comedy. He also joined forces with fellow Def Squad members Erick Sermon and Keith Murray for the 1998 album «El Niño». Across his catalog, tracks like «Tonight's da Night», «Can't Wait» and «Time 4 Sum Aksion» remain touchstones of boom-bap-era East Coast rap.