Dare Iz a Darkside

Dare Iz a Darkside is the second studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on November 22, 1994, by Def Jam Recordings. The album debuted at 13 on the US Billboard 200.[1] The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[2]

Dare Iz A Darkside
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 22, 1994
RecordedMarch 1993 – August 1994
GenreHip hop
Length68:37
LabelDef Jam Recordings
ProducerErick Sermon (exec.), Reggie Noble, Rockwilder
Redman chronology
Whut? Thee Album
(1992)
Dare Iz A Darkside
(1994)
Muddy Waters
(1996)
Singles from Dare Iz a Darkside
  1. "Rockafella"
    Released: September 29, 1994
  2. "Can't Wait"
    Released: February 7, 1995

The album cover features Redman buried in the ground up to his neck, a reference to the cover of Funkadelic's 1971 album Maggot Brain. In addition, the song "Cosmic Slop" shares its name with a 1973 Funkadelic album.

In 2010, Redman told Vibe Magazine that he never performed any songs from Dare Iz A Darkside in recent years - primarily due to the album being made during one of the dark times in his life.[3] The positive reaction to the album stunned Redman, who said "I was doing a lot of drugs on Dare Iz A Darkside. I have chicks that come up to me and say, 'Yo, Dare Iz A Darkside is my favorite fuckin' album, ever.' I swear, I have not played Dare Iz A Darkside damn near since I did it. Seriously! I was so lost, I was so fucked up during that album".[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[5]
Q[6]
RapReviews(9/10)[7]
The Source[6]
Vibe(favorable)[6]

Jason Birchmeier of Allmusic gave the album a mixed review, remarking that producer Erick Sermon, who plays a large role in the production of the album, "isn't up to his usual standards here." Birchmeier also noted Redman's eccentric personality on Darkside in particular may have alienated fans of his earlier work with EPMD.[5] Though when checking the production credits, Erick Sermon is only listed as an executive producer. He was executive producer for 5 of the albums' 16 actual tracks, not including skits. In reality, it was Reggie Noble who handled lead production of the album. The Source gave it 4 stars. It is considered a cult classic by a section of Redman's fans who believed the album showed Redman at his most cynical and hardcore.

Commercial performance

Dark Iz a Darkside debuted at number 13 on the US Billboard 200 chart, and number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, becoming his first number one on the chart.[1] On January 27, 1995, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 copies.[8] As of October 2009, the album has 587,000 copies in the United States.[9]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Dr. Trevis"Redman1:37
2."Bobyahed2dis"Redman, Rockwilder3:24
3."Journey Throo Da Darkside"Redman, Erick Sermon (co-producer)2:26
4."Da Journee"Redman2:12
5."A Million And 1 Buddah Spots"Erick Sermon, Redman (co-producer)3:23
6."Noorotic"Rockwilder, Redman (co-producer)3:32
7."Boodah Session"Redman0:31
8."Cosmic Slop" (featuring Erick Sermon and Keith Murray)Redman, Erick Sermon (co-producer)2:56
9."Rockafella (R.I.P.)"Redman0:25
10."Rockafella"Redman4:44
11."Green Island"Redman5:42
12."Basically"Redman2:03
13."Can't Wait"Erick Sermon, Redman (co-producer)4:13
14."Winicumuhround"Erick Sermon, Redman (co-producer)4:28
15."Wuditlooklike"Redman4:09
16."Slide And Rock On"Redman3:54
17."Sooperman Luva II"Redman4:50
18."We Run N.Y." (featuring Hurricane G)Redman4:13
19."Dr. Trevis (Signs Off)"Redman1:39
20."Tonight's Da Nite (Remix)" (CD only bonus track)Redman3:51
Total length:68:37

The cassette version is tinted red.

Personnel

Information taken from Allmusic.[10]

  • Engineering – Mike Bona, Bob Fudjinski, Dave Greenberg, Bob Morse
  • Executive Production – Erick Sermon
  • Mastering – Tony Dawsey
  • Mixing – Bob Fudjinski, Dave Greenberg, Bob Morse
  • Narration – Jeff Stewart
  • Performing – Hurricane G, Keith Murray, Erick Sermon
  • Photography – Danny Clinch
  • Production – Reggie Noble, Erick Sermon
  • Sequencing – Reggie Noble, Jeff Trotter
  • Vocals – Reggie Noble, Erick Sermon

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[14] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Notes

  1. "allmusic ((( Dare Iz a Darkside > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  2. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - December 02, 2010 : Search Results - Redman". RIAA. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  3. "Full Clip: Redman Runs Down His Entire Catalogue". interview. vibe.com. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  4. Paine, Jake. "Redman Revisits "Dare Iz A Darkside" And Talks Gilla House, Saukrates". hiphopdx.com. Cheri Media. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  5. Birchmeier, Jason. "allmusic ((( Dare Iz a Darkside > Review )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  6. "Redman - Dare Iz a Darkside CD Album". Muze. CD Universe. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
  7. 'Flash' Juon, Steve (2002-03-05). "Redman :: Dare Iz a Darkside :: Def Jam". RapReviews.com. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  8. "RIAA Certifications - Redman". Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  9. "XXL SCANS: DEF JAM'S ENTIRE DISCOGRAPHY & RECORD SALES". October 18, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  10. "allmusic ((( Dare Iz a Darkside > Credits )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  11. {{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1994-12-10%7Ctitle=Billboard 200 - December, 10, 1994|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|accessdate=March 1, 2020}}
  12. {{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-albums/1994-12-10%7Ctitle=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - December, 10, 1994|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|accessdate=March 1, 2020}}
  13. "allmusic ((( Dare Iz a Darkside > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  14. "American album certifications – Redman – Dare Iz a Darkside". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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