Redman (rapper)
A foundational figure in hip-hop's golden age, whose raw, funky style and collaborative genius helped define the sound of East Coast rap.
Born 1970 (age 56)·American rapper·Birthday: April 17·Generation X
Biography
Redman released his debut album 'Whut? Thee Album' in 1992, produced by EPMD's Erick Sermon. Born in 1970 in Newark, New Jersey, his gravelly voice became synonymous with gritty, sample-heavy funk. As a central member of the Def Squad and the duo with Method Man, he delivered clever, sometimes absurdist lyrics over soulful beats. His persona was the unpredictable, weed-advocating everyman who could rap circles around competitors while making listeners laugh. His chemistry with Method Man felt like a lifelong friendship mic'd up, leading to classic albums and a starring role in the stoner comedy 'How High.' In an era of increasing polish, Redman remained raw.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Redman was born in 1970, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Redman Was Born
The biggest hits of 1970
#1 Movie
Love Story
Best Picture
Patton
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Redman's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1970Born
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1975Started school
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1983Became a teenager
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1986Could drive
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1988Could vote
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1991Turned 21
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
2000Turned 30
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 40
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 50
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 56 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Released the critically acclaimed debut album 'Whut? Thee Album' in 1992, which is certified Gold.
- Formed one of hip-hop's most beloved duos with Method Man, releasing the Gold-certified album 'Blackout!' in 1999.
- Starred with Method Man in the cult stoner comedy film 'How High' and its subsequent sequel.
- His collaboration with Method Man on the track "Da Rockwilder" is widely considered a hip-hop classic.
- Won a MTV Video Music Award for the video "I'll Be That" with R&B singer Rhea.
Did You Know?
He originally wanted to be a dentist and even worked as a dental assistant before his music career took off.
Redman is a dedicated martial artist, holding a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and training in other disciplines.
He turned down a role in the film '8 Mile,' which later went to Mekhi Phifer.
An avid video gamer, he was featured as a playable character in the popular fighting game 'Def Jam Vendetta.'
He is deeply afraid of birds, a condition known as ornithophobia.
““I’m not a businessman; I’m a business, man. But I’d rather be an artist.””
