Redman’s ‘Muddy Waters Too’ Exceeds Expectations & Is A Return To Form For Funk Doc [Review]
Written by djfrosty on January 10, 2025
Redman has been an active rapper since 1990 and he has carved out a lane as the wisened version of his younger self, still sharp lyrically but perhaps less brash than he was decades ago. With his latest album, Muddy Waters Too, Redman took on the impossible task of creating a sequel to his beloved classic which serves as a return to form for Funk Doctor Spot.
Breaking the usual format here, I want to express my deepest apologies to Redman. I was not excited about Muddy Waters Too in the least bit, especially as a fan of Muddy Waters, the crown jewel of Funk Doc’s discography to some. I realize now that my folly was limiting the New Jersey legend to what I felt was his creative zenith instead of appreciating that he’s still here releasing music that largely seemed cathartic for him. Further, his style had matured over the past three decades but he never lost the ability to rhyme at an elite level, and through it all, he’s maintained something that’s been long missing in current Hip-Hop — having fun.
Muddy Waters Too was initially promised in 2013 and at the time, the industry largely moved on from hard-hitting punchline-laden Hip-Hop. This was also after the so-called “Blog Era” period and the industry’s audio textures shifted once more. Nevertheless, Red remained an active participant and alongside his longtime collaborator Method Man, he perfected his live performance while delivering loosies, mixtapes, and other projects over the years but nothing approached the commercial or critical success of his previous releases.
MW2 still maintains the sonic ethos of its predecessor, and that includes Redman’s zaniness, the everpresent skits, and a throughline of Brick City (Newark, N.J.) pride. The album opens with “Da F*ck Goin On” which would sound right at home on Red and Meth’s Blackout series. Red digs into the funk on the production and he sounds in top shape. Next up is “Whuts Hot” with production from Khrysis finds Red rapping with his typical confidence. Oran “Juice” Jones II, the son of Oran “Juice” Jones, who delivered the ’80s R&B hit, “The Rain,” shows up for the hook.
Perhaps as a preview of a potential Blackout 3 drop, Method Man appears on “Lalala” and the pair go bar for bar over production from Vinyl Frontiers. A little fan service happens early on “Dont You Miss” with Erick Sermon serving up a bass-heavy platter for Red’s nostalgic trip down memory lane and serves as a strong ode to the 1990s. Other standouts include the Tall Black Guy-produced “Aye,” a track that would’ve run summer radio if that were still a thing, the previously released “Don’t Wanna C Me Rich,” and “Pop Da Trunk” with production from Rockwilder. And while Redman is never outshined on any track, Sheek Louch of The Lox comes quite close on “Dynomite.”
About that aforementioned Jersey pride, “Lite It Up” seemingly features the entire state with Naughty By Nature, Queen Latifah, Rah Digga, Shaquille O’Neal, Lord Of The Underground, Lady Luck, The Artifacts, Heather B, Hakim Green of Chanel Live, and Nikki D all appearing. And no Redman album would be complete with a “Soopaman Luva” track and part seven of the series finds Red back in his Hood Lothario mode. The album ends with the soulful “Smoke With Me” with production from DJ Static and Seige Monstracity and Redman employing a double-time flow as he has done previously.
To get personal, something magical happened over the holidays as I finally took in the album. I approached the record with lofty hopes and I can freely admit that from the intro to the final track, I felt as if I were transported back to 1996 and hearing Muddy Waters for the first time. Adding to this, I found myself getting choked up about how good the album sounded, even on tracks I wasn’t necessarily wowed by. I told everyone near and dear to me to check out MW2. I felt like it was my duty to correct my wrongs and promote this album as if I worked for Gilla House myself. I am still struck by how Doc was able to channel the energy of nearly 30 years ago and managed to make it sound like now. I vow to never doubt Redman again.
Check Out Muddy Waters Too below.
MUDDY WATERS TOO !! OUT NOW !!https://t.co/zvc3bsY8tQ pic.twitter.com/sHBQ3HHtRv
— Redman (@therealredman) December 24, 2024
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Photo: Getty