Muddy Waters (album)

Last updated
Muddy Waters
Muddywaters album cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 10, 1996 (1996-12-10)
Recorded1995–1996
Studio
  • Rockin' Reel Recording Studios (New York, NY)
  • Mirror Image Studios (New York, NY)
Genre East Coast hip hop [1]
Length1:07:17
Label Def Jam
Producer
Redman chronology
Dare Iz a Darkside
(1994)
Muddy Waters
(1996)
El Niño
(1998)
Singles from Muddy Waters
  1. "It's Like That"
    Released: 1996
  2. "Whateva Man"
    Released: January 28, 1997
  3. "Pick It Up"
    Released: May 13, 1997
  4. "Smoke Buddah"
    Released: 1997

Muddy Waters is the third studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on December 10, 1996, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in New York City. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Rockwilder, Jerry Duplessis, Pras, Ty Fyffe, and Redman himself. It features guest appearances from Erick Sermon, Jamal, Keith Murray, K-Solo, Method Man, Napalm and Rockwilder. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on February 12, 1997 for exceeding shipments of 500,000 copies. The album spawned three charted singles: "It's Like That", "Whateva Man" and "Pick It Up" and a promotional single "Smoke Buddah".

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Muzik 8/10 [4]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
RapReviews10/10 [6]
The Source 4/5 [7]

Muddy Waters was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. Steve Huey of AllMusic, though critical of the album's numerous interludes, stated that "lyrically, Redman is as strong as ever", and of the overall work, remarked that "Muddy Waters solidifies Redman's growing reputation as one of the most consistent rappers of the '90s". [2]

Redman has stated that he had planned on releasing a sequel to the album entitled Muddy Waters 2, considering it is his most classic work. [8]

Commercial performance

In the United States, the album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 on the week of December 28, 1996 and stayed on the chart for 17 weeks. On the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, Muddy Waters repeated the success of his predecessor, Dare Iz a Darkside , also debuting at number-one. A little more than 2 months later, on February 12, 1997, the album received gold status from the RIAA for selling half a million units. As of October 2009, the album has 767,000 copies sold in the US alone. [9]

The album's lead single, a reunion duet with former Hit Squad group-mate K-Solo "It's Like That", peaked at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100. A follow-up single from the album, "Whateva Man", reached number 42 on the same chart. The third and final single off of the project, "Pick It Up", did not made it to the Hot 100, however, it found mild success on R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Songs charts.

In the United Kingdom, the album managed to debut only on the Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart at number 27. The album repeated its success twice, again climbing to the 27th spot on this chart in the weeks ending January 25 and February 1, 1997. None of its singles went charted.

The album eventually debuted in Germany at number 100 on the chart in the week of February 10, 1997, becoming the rapper's first album to break through in the country.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro" Reggie Noble Redman 2:17
2."Iz He 4 Real"
1:36
3."Rock Da Spot"
4:11
4."Welcome" (Interlude)
  • Noble
  • Sermon
Erick Sermon2:06
5."Case Closed" (featuring Napalm and Rockwilder)
Rockwilder 2:58
6."Pick It Up"
  • Noble
  • Sermon
Erick Sermon4:11
7."N.I.N. (Skit)" (featuring Chris Tricarico)NobleRedman0:57
8."Smoke Buddah"
Redman2:34
9."Whateva Man" (featuring Erick Sermon)
  • Noble
  • Sermon
Erick Sermon3:09
10."Chicken Head Convention" (Skit)NobleRedman1:17
11."On Fire"
  • Noble
  • Sermon
Erick Sermon3:50
12."Do What U Feel" (featuring Method Man)4:14
13."The Stick Up" (Skit)NobleRedman0:55
14."Creepin'"NobleRedman4:00
15."It's Like That (My Big Brother)" (featuring K-Solo)Redman2:55
16."Da Bump"
  • Noble
  • Sermon
  • Isaac Hayes
  • Darryl Ellis
  • Paul Richmond
  • Ruben Locke Jr.
Erick Sermon4:11
17."Uncle Quilly (Skit)" (featuring Naja)Redman0:59
18."Yesh Yesh Ya'll"Erick Sermon3:59
19."What U Lookin' 4"
  • Rockwilder
  • Redman (co.)
4:07
20."Soopaman Luva 3 Interview" (Skit)
Redman0:55
21."Soopaman Luva 3"
  • Erick Sermon
  • Redman
4:12
22."Rollin'"Erick Sermon4:09
23."Da Ill Out" (featuring Jamal and Keith Murray)Erick Sermon3:35
Total length:1:07:17

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [16] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redman (rapper)</span> American rapper (born 1970)

Reginald Noble, better known by his stage name Redman, is an American rapper, DJ, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame in the early 1990s as an artist on the Def Jam label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erick Sermon</span> American rapper and record producer

Erick Sermon is an American rapper and producer. He is best known as one-third—alongside PMD & DJ Scratch—of 1980s/1990s hip hop group EPMD and for his production work.

<i>Blackout!</i> (Method Man & Redman album) 1999 studio album by Method Man & Redman

Blackout! is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Method Man & Redman. It is the first full-length release by Method Man and Redman after many collaborations. The album continued a string of highly successful Def Jam releases in the late 1990s. The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 with first week sales of 254,000 copies and served as a bit of a precursor to the 2001 major studio film How High. Both rappers enjoyed perhaps the height of their popularity as a tandem after the success of the album and its three charted singles. The singles were also popular videos which were mainstays on MTV and BET. The sequel to the album, Blackout! 2, was released on May 19, 2009.

<i>Venni Vetti Vecci</i> 1999 studio album by Ja Rule

Venni Vetti Vecci is the debut studio album by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released on June 1, 1999, by Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. It was the first album to be released on Murder Inc. Production was mostly handled by Irv Gotti, with additional work provided by Lil Rob, Ty Fyffe, Erick Sermon and Self Service. The album features guest appearances from Jay-Z, DMX, Case, Memphis Bleek, Black Child, Ronald Isley and Erick Sermon, among others. The album title alludes to the Latin phrase "veni, vidi, vici", meaning "I came, I saw, I conquered".

<i>Dare Iz a Darkside</i> 1994 studio album by Redman

Dare Iz a Darkside is the second studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on November 22, 1994, by Def Jam Recordings. The album debuted at 13 on the US Billboard 200. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Whut? Thee Album</i> 1992 studio album by Redman

Whut? Thee Album is the debut studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on September 22, 1992, by Def Jam Recordings, Rush Associated Labels and Chaos Recordings, a dimension of Columbia Records. Taking place at Ian London Studios, North Shore Soundworks, and Power Play Studios, the recording sessions began in 1991 and continued into 1992. The album was produced by Redman, his mentor and fellow Hit Squad member Erick Sermon, and Pete Rock.

<i>Back in Business</i> (EPMD album) 1997 studio album by EPMD

Back in Business is the fifth studio album by American hip hop duo EPMD. It was released on September 23, 1997, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Soundtrack Studios in New York. Production was handled by members Erick Sermon and PMD, as well as DJ Scratch, with Agallah and Rockwilder serving as co-producers. It features guest appearances from Das EFX, Keith Murray, Nocturnal and Redman.

<i>Out of Business</i> 1999 studio album by EPMD

Out of Business is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo EPMD. The album was originally scheduled for a December 1998 release under Def Jam Recordings, but had been delayed numerous times as a result of a merger between Seagram's PolyGram and Universal Music Group's MCA Records, combining Def Jam and Island Records' operations together under the Island Def Jam Music Group. Ultimately, the album was released on July 20, 1999. It is the first official Def Jam album released under the newly-formed Island Def Jam Music Group and the group's last album released under the label as they left the imprint a year later before going inactive for the second time.

<i>Enigma</i> (Keith Murray album) 1996 studio album by Keith Murray

Enigma is the second solo studio album by American rapper Keith Murray. It was released on November 26, 1996, via Jive Records. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recordings in Long Island. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Ty Fyffe, The Ummah and Rod 'KP' Kirkpatrick. It features guest appearances from 50 Grand, Kel-Vicious, Erick Sermon, Busta Rhymes, Dave Hollister, Jamal and Redman. The album peaked at number thirty-nine on the Billboard 200 and number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. Its lead single "The Rhyme" made it to number 59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 12 on the Hot Rap Songs and number 3 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales charts.

<i>Lyricist Lounge 2</i> 2000 hip hop compilation album

Lyricist Lounge 2 is the fourth hip hop compilation album by American record label Rawkus Records. It was released on November 28, 2000, as the second installment of Lyricist Lounge album series, based on New York's Lyricist Lounge showcases.

<i>Last Chance, No Breaks</i> 1995 studio album by Jamal

Last Chance, No Breaks is the sole solo studio album by American rapper Jamal. It was released on October 10, 1995, via Rowdy Records. Production was handled by Redman, Rockwilder, Easy Mo Bee, Erick Sermon, Mike Dean, Erotic D. and PME, with Dallas Austin serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Redman, Erick Sermon, George Clinton, Keith Murray, L.O.D. and Passion.

<i>El Niño</i> (Def Squad album) 1998 studio album by Def Squad

El Niño is the only studio album by American hip hop group Def Squad, composed of rappers Redman, Erick Sermon and Keith Murray. It was released on June 30, 1998, via Def Jam Recordings. The recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recordings in Dix Hills, New York. The production was handled by Erick Sermon and Redman. It features guest appearances from Biz Markie, Mally G, Too $hort and the Drama Squad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Time 4 Sum Aksion</span> 1993 single by Redman

"Time 4 Sum Aksion" is a song written, co-produced and performed by American rapper Redman. It was released on January 12, 1993, through Rush Associated Labels as the second single from his debut studio album Whut? Thee Album. The recording sessions took place at North Shore Soundworks in Commack and Ian London Studios in East Islip. Erick Sermon produced the song utilising samples from Cypress Hill's "How I Could Just Kill a Man" and Zapp's "Playin' Kinda Ruff".

<i>Double or Nothing</i> (Erick Sermon album) 1995 studio album by Erick Sermon

Double or Nothing is the second solo studio album by the American rapper and record producer Erick Sermon. It was released on November 7, 1995, via Rush Associated Labels. The production was mainly handled by Sermon, and several tracks were co-produced by Redman, Rockwilder, Rod 'KP' Kirkpatrick and Ty Fyffe. The album features contributions from Keith Murray, Redman, Jazze Pha, Passion and Roz. Double or Nothing spawned two singles: "Bomdigi" and "Welcome".

<i>Insomnia</i> (Erick Sermon album) 1996 compilation album by Erick Sermon

Insomnia is a hip-hop compilation album presented by American rapper and record producer Erick Sermon. It was released on April 23, 1996 via Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image, at the Music Palace, and at Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in New York, and at Chuck Simone Studio. Production was handled primarily by Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Redman, and co-producers Rockwilder and Ty Fyffe. Beside Sermon, it features contributions from fellow artists affiliated with or discovered by him, such as Calif, Domo, Duo, Jamal, Keith Murray, L.O.D., Passion, Redman, The Wixtons, Xross-Breed, and Thomas "Tommy Gunn" Blincoe, who was murdered shortly before the album's release, and to whom this album is dedicated. The album peaked at number 53 on the Billboard 200 and number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It spawned three singles: "Funkorama", which peacked at No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100, "It's That Hit" and "I Feel It".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whateva Man</span> 1997 single by Redman featuring Erick Sermon

"Whateva Man" is the second single released for Redman's third album, Muddy Waters. It is a mellow track produced by and featuring Erick Sermon, although he is not in the video. Method Man and Keith Murray appear in the video, although they are not on the song. It reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it the most popular single from Muddy Waters. It was included in the 1997 version of The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits. A remixed version can be found on Too Short's Nationwide: Independence Day compilation. Pete Rock also contributed a remix for possible inclusion on the single; however, it was relegated to exclusive radio play. The video is a parody of the film The Blues Brothers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Method Man & Redman</span> American hip hop duo

Method Man & Redman are an American hip hop duo, composed of East Coast rappers Method Man and Redman. They are signed to Def Jam Recordings both as solo artists and as a duo. While they had been collaborating since 1994, it was not until 1999 that they released a full-length collaborative effort, Blackout!. The follow-up album, Blackout! 2, was released in 2009.

"Let's Get Dirty (I Can't Get in da Club)" is a hip hop song by American rapper Redman featuring guest vocals from DJ Kool. It was released on May 1, 2001 through Def Jam Recordings as the lead single from Redman's fifth solo studio album Malpractice. Recording sessions took place at Westlake Recording Studios in California with engineer Tommy Uzzo. Production was handled by Rockwilder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Bee Dat!</span> 1998 single by Redman

"I'll Bee Dat!" is a song written and performed by American rapper Redman. It was released on December 8, 1998 through Def Jam Recordings as the lead single from the rapper's fourth solo studio album Doc's da Name 2000. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Studios West in New York City. Production was handled by Rockwilder, who used a sample from Beenie Man's "Who Am I ". Music video for the song was directed by Director X.

"It's Like That" is a song by American rapper and producer Redman. It was released on December 10, 1996, through Def Jam Recordings as the lead single from the rapper's third studio album Muddy Waters. Recording sessions took place at Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in New York City. Production was handled by Redman himself with Erick Sermon serving as co-producer. The song features rapping from fellow Hit Squad member K-Solo and contains a sample from Just-Ice's "Cold Getting Dumb".

References

  1. "50 Greatest East Coast Hip-Hop Albums of the 1990s". The Boombox . October 20, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Huey, Steve. "Redman - Muddy Waters Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic . Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  3. Larkin, Colin (2011). "Redman". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN   978-0-85712-595-8.
  4. Ashon, Will (February 1997). "Redman: Muddy Waters" (PDF). Muzik . No. 21. p. 111. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  5. "Reviews". Q . London. April 1997. p. 128.
  6. Juon, Steve 'Flash' (December 1996). "Redman :: Muddy Waters :: Def Jam/RAL". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  7. Reeves, Marcus (February 1997). "Record Report". The Source . p. 79.
  8. Paine, Jake (November 4, 2010). "Redman Says That "Muddy Waters 2" Is Happening, Summer 2011". HipHopDX . Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  9. "XXL Scans: Def Jam's Entire Discography & Record Sales". HipHop-N-More. October 18, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  10. "Offiziellecharts.de – Redman – Muddy Waters" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  11. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  12. "Redman Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  13. "Redman Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  14. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  15. "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  16. "American album certifications – Redman – Muddy Waters". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved November 4, 2023.