Whut? Thee Album

Redman’s Whut? Thee Album is the quintessential product of early ’90s hip-hop: raw, playful, and soaked in funk. Released on 22 September 1992 under Def Jam Recordings, the album stands as a pivotal moment in Redman’s career and a cornerstone of East Coast rap. Aided by Erick Sermon of EPMD, who served as both mentor and co-producer, Redman crafted a debut that encapsulates the grit and humour of the era, layered with the “EPMD sound” that was synonymous with hard-hitting, sample-heavy production.

What sets Whut? Thee Album apart is its unbridled energy and Redman’s ability to juggle charisma with comedic genius. Tracks like “Time 4 Sum Aksion” and “Blow Your Mind” hit with an infectious vibrancy, blending freestyle rhymes with booming drums. The album doesn’t take itself too seriously, delivering surreal punchlines and funky beats that feel designed for a house party as much as for street credibility.

Critics, even at the time, recognised its brilliance. The Source granted it 4½ out of 5 mics, lauding Redman’s flow and the funk-driven production. Meanwhile, Entertainment Weekly praised its “bargain-basement funk” and humour. Despite initial doubts from Def Jam’s higher-ups, Whut? Thee Album proved commercially viable, peaking at number five on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and achieving Gold certification less than a year after release.

Beyond its immediate success, the album has cemented its legacy as a hip-hop classic. Redman’s mix of gritty street tales and off-kilter humour set a template for many MCs that followed. It’s a landmark debut that’s as much a testament to Redman’s talent as to the mentorship of the Hit Squad. For fans of unpolished, no-frills rap with a heavy dose of funk, Whut? Thee Album remains essential listening.