Give Redman credit for knowing how to stick with a formula. When you purchase a Redman CD, you know which characters are waiting in the wings: Reggie Noble, Funk Docta Spock, Dr. Trevis, Uncle Quilly, Supaman Luva, a host of new “chickenhead” skits, new jokes, the latest slang, a lotta weed.
And beats you wouldn’t dream of making.
It’s a safe bet that if you liked his first four albums, then Malpractice is for you. Arguably the world’s most loyal and imaginative MC, Red keeps it bangin’ by keeping in touch with the formula you’ve loved for years. That means his beats remain fluid, funky and imaginative. His production team still includes Erick Sermon and Rockwilder. Keith Murray still shows up, and he still reaches out to the MCs he likes — Mally G (remember Illegal?), Treach, Saukrates, Icarus — to make the album he wants.
Redman is the most distasteful comic in hip hop, a rap Redd Foxx. He doesn’t want to enlighten you. He doesn’t want to set examples for your children. And he doesn’t give a damn about being politically correct. On Malpractice, his skits sometimes get long and outrageous. And the album grows weary toward the last three songs. But in true Redman fashion, the joints that bang … bang. And he smokes, bones, curses and wisecracks his way through it, from start to finish.
Parents, if you hear or see your child snickering under his headphones, check his backpack. If the CD you pull out shows Redman dressed as a doctor, sitting next to a blond dwarfed nurse, take it and throw it away.
No, wait. Burn a copy for yourself first.
Redman performs July 27 at Joe Louis Arena with Beanie Sigel, E-40, Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek and Method Man.
Khary Kimani Turner writes about music for Metro Times. E-mail [email protected].
