THE DOCTOR IS IN. The funk doc, that is. But this time, he's got a serious case of Malpractice against him. As Newark, New Jersey's #1 candidate, Redman has put it down for almost ten straight years, delivering a smash each time out. His four solo albums (Whut? Thee Album, Dare Iz A Darkside, Muddy Waters, Doc's Da Name 2000) and two collaboration joints (Blackout! w/ Method Man, and El Nino w/ Def Squad) have placed the rapper in a hip-hop hall of fame, because only a few artists have managed to be that consistent. And Redman is one of them.

Though he upholds his reputation in hip-hop by remaining true to his formula of funk-driven beats and unconventional rhymes, Redman intends to stretch his own boundaries with his fifth solo album, Malpractice. He explains, "When a doctor operates and does something he's not supposed to do, they call it malpractice. That's what this album is, I'm going to be breaking all the rules, stepping it up and doing things that I wouldn't normally do."

Redman busts through the door with "Let's Get Dirty" featuring DJ Kool, and seals the coffin to the flossy, iced-out MC. The song's grimy out-the-trunk feel will bring the "under" back above ground. His alter ego, Reggie Noble, is confident that Malpractice will be another classic. With production by Rockwilder (the high-adrenaline "Let's Get Dirty"), Erick Sermon (the funk-rockin "Diggy Doc" and "High Wit Doc"), DJ Twinz (the smoothed out "Muh-Fucka"), and himself, Red keeps the funk coming. And he has gathered together a strong team to appear as guest artists. "I'm going to have more people on this album than usual. Part of the reason is because I got a much bigger click now. Of course, there's Def Squad, my immediate family, but there's also Method Man, and a bunch of new artists, like Icarus, D-Don and Saukrates, that I'm about to put out on my own label," he adds.

Redman's time in hip-hop has been well spent. Rather than waste time planning, the outrageous emcee just delivers. "I don't like to wait two or three years to drop an album. I try to drop one every year, at the end of the year, to close it out with a bang," he says laughing. As a result, the music always surprises listeners, never sounding like anything else out there. "I feel as though I always serve the fans, so I'm not trying to jump the gun too much. Malpractice will definitely be something different than what you've come to expect from Redman, but I ain't trying to go way out there either." Songs, especially the album's highlight "Smash Sumthin," provide that genuine Redman sound, complete with hardcore rhymes over truck-bumpin beats. While some rappers just make songs, Redman's history proves that he is an all-around multi-talented hip-hop artist.

In addition to his musical achievements, Redman was nominated for a Grammy Award with De La Soul for his performance on the song "Oooh," and he received the 2000 Source Award with Method Man for Live Performer Of The Year. He will also appear alongside Meth in his major motion picture debut How High, which will be released early next year.

With these achievements and the platinum success of his last two projects, Redman is destined for much success with Malpractice. So if you're tired of the same ole' repetitiously boring hip-hop, then you'll need a prescription for this brand of funk. So whatever you do, don't forget to go see the doctor.