Contrary to popular belief Reggie Noble is the real punch line king over at Def Jam. Not Ludacris, not even Young Jeezy, it’s Redman who’s been putting it down with some of the world’s most outrageous antics since his 1992 debut Muddy Waters. Over the years Red has managed to drop six solo albums, Red Gone Wild being the latest, plus a few group efforts with his Def Squad click and an album with his partner in rhyme Method Man. After a solid five years of basically wilding out on various on screen endeavors Red came back in February with his impressive Live From the Bricks mixtape which has already created to the rap world more than enough momentum for his latest effort.

Redman opens up his latest set over E3’s mellowed out production on “Fire”. The album’s second offering “Bak Inda Buildin” sounds more retro ’92 than anything which will be a welcomed favor to all his longtime fans. Timbaland laces the album’s frantic first single “Put It Down”. Even after over 15 years in the game Red still has a nac for off the wall lyricism as evidenced on the diversely Pete Rock helmed “Gimme One”. Red enlists the help of some of his Gilla House comrades on the lazy “Sumth 4 Urrbody”. Longtime collaborator Rockwilder laces Red with a 70’s esque banger on “How U Like Dat”.

“Walk In Gutta” features a nostalgic collaboration between Red and his Def Squad cohorts Eric Sermon and Keith Murray with Sermon producing the banger. DJ Clark Kent laces one of the album’s brightest highlights with the laid back and Ready Ro assisted “Dis Iz Brick City”. How High homies Red and Method Man come together with Ready Roc on the hazy official smoker’s anthem “Blow Treez”. MC Eiht’s in house producer Tha Chill blesses Red with a west coast bounce banger on the Saukrates and Icadon assisted “Get ‘Em”. The album’s second official smoker’s anthem comes when Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg assist on the Rick James inspired and Rockwilder produced “Merry Jane”.  

After all the purple smoke clears and the hard liquor settles Red will have a hell of a mess to clean up from his latest lyrical party. Red Gone Wild displays Redman in his usual free spirited self celebrating his often wild indulgences to the extreme. In an era where the status quo is the code of the streets Red goes against the grain and wins hands down by simply being himself. Reggie Noble has created an album worthy enough for his longtime fans yet still appealing to those who only remember him from the movie How High!
 

VERDICT – 15 / 20
LYRICS: 4
PRODUCTION: 3
DELIVERY: 4
CONSISTENCY: 4