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
Emerging from Newark, New Jersey, Redman brought an infectious, unadulterated energy to hip-hop that was equal parts streetwise bravado and B-movie humor. As a central member of the Def Squad and the iconic duo with Method Man, his voice—a gravelly, charismatic bark—became synonymous with a certain kind of gritty, sample-heavy funk. His 1992 debut 'Whut? Thee Album' was a seismic declaration, produced by EPMD's Erick Sermon, and established his template: clever, sometimes absurdist lyrics delivered over soulful, head-nodding beats. Redman’s persona was never the aloof gangster; he was the unpredictable, weed-advocating everyman who could rap circles around competitors while making you laugh. His chemistry with Method Man felt less like a business partnership and more 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 stubbornly, brilliantly 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.””
