Whut? Thee Album
| Whut? Thee Album | ||||
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| Studio album by Redman | ||||
| Released | October 6, 1992 | |||
| Recorded | 1991–1992 | |||
| Studio | Ian London Studios (East Islip, New York) North Shore Soundworks (Commack, New York) Power Play Studios (New York, New York) |
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| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 51:42 | |||
| Label | Def Jam, Chaos, Columbia | |||
| Producer | Erick Sermon (also exec.), Reggie Noble, Pete Rock | |||
| Redman chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Whut? Thee Album | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Robert Christgau |  |
| Entertainment Weekly | A− |
| Melody Maker | |
| RapReviews | 10/10 |
| The Source | |
| The Washington Post | (favorable) |
Whut? Thee Album is the debut studio album by American rapper Redman; it was released on October 6, 1992 by Def Jam Recordings and Chaos Recordings, a dimension of Columbia Records. While taking place at Ian London Studios, North Shore Soundworks and Power Play Studios, recording sessions began in 1991 and continued into 1992. The album heavily features production from mentor and fellow Hit Squad member Erick Sermon, as well as Redman himself under his birth name, with additional production from Pete Rock.
Upon its release, Whut? Thee Album debuted at number 49 on the US Billboard 200. In June 1993, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), exceeding the sales of 500,000 copies in the United States. The album initially garnered favorable reviews from music critics due to Redman's humorous lyrics, and the album's production, which was noted as having the "EPMD sound." Over the years, Whut? has been commonly esteemed as a classic hip hop album, and along with Muddy Waters, it is widely regarded as Redman's best work.
Reggie "Redman" Noble spent the majority of his youth selling drugs, and DJing at clubs and parties. At the age of 16, he began rapping, being heavily influenced by the comedy raps of Biz Markie. Although, he would eventually become a close affiliate of the hip hop duo EPMD, it wasn't until 1990, where Redman first met them, while DJing for DoItAll (of Lords of the Underground) at a club where MC Lyte was headlining. The two parties eventually met backstage where a freestyle cipher was taking place, with EPMD member Erick Sermon being so impressed with Redman's raps that he invited him to perform during the duo's set. Before long, EPMD quickly embraced Redman as a Hit Squad member, while they brought him on tour to freestyle and DJ at their shows. In addition, EPMD gave Redman two guest spots for the songs "Hardcore" and "Brothers on My Jock", off their third album Business as Usual (1990), which helped him gain exposure in the hip hop underground. One year later, Redman was signed to Def Jam, where he began writing and recording what would eventually become Whut? Thee Album.
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