# Dare Iz a Darkside

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dare_Iz_a_Darkside
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dare_Iz_a_Darkside.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dare_Iz_a_Darkside
> Source revision: 1352728245
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

1994 studio album by Redman

Dare Iz a Darkside Studio album by Redman Released November 22, 1994 Recorded March 1993 – August 1994 Genre East Coast hip-hop experimental rap gangsta rap Length 68:37 Label Def Jam Producer Erick 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 "Rockafella" Released: September 29, 1994 "Can't Wait" Released: February 7, 1995

***Dare Iz a Darkside*** is the second [studio album](/source/Studio_album) by [American](/source/United_States) rapper [Redman](/source/Redman_(rapper)). It was released on November 22, 1994, by [Def Jam Recordings](/source/Def_Jam_Recordings). The album debuted at No. 13 on the US [*Billboard* 200](/source/Billboard_200).[1] The album was certified [gold](/source/RIAA_Certification) by the [Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America) (RIAA).[2]

The album cover features Redman buried in the ground up to his neck, a reference to the cover of [Funkadelic](/source/Funkadelic)'s 1971 album *[Maggot Brain](/source/Maggot_Brain)*. In addition, the song "Cosmic Slop" shares its name with a [1973 Funkadelic album](/source/Cosmic_Slop).[3] The album spawned the two singles "[Rockafella](/source/Rockafella_(song))" & "[Can't Wait](/source/Can't_Wait)".

In 2010, Redman told [Vibe Magazine](/source/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.[4] 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".[5] However, during his [Verzuz](/source/Verzuz) battle with fellow rapper [Method Man](/source/Method_Man) on April 20, 2021, Redman performed "Can't Wait" for the first time since its single release in 1995.[6]

## Critical reception

Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [7] Music Week [8] Pitchfork 8.7/10[9] Q [10] RapReviews 9/10[11] The Source [10] Vibe (favorable)[10]

*Dare Iz a Darkside* has been regarded by critics as an anomaly in Redman's discography due to its darker, more muted sound in comparison to his other work. Steve Juon of *RapReviews* described the album as "the most obscure and unappreciated" of Redman's albums in a 2002 review.[11] Writing in 2026, Jayson Greene of *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))* calls the album "the one time in his long career that Reggie Noble forgot to be ingratiating", and describes the characteristic features of its sound as "atmospheric" darkness and "clotted and muffled" bass.[9] Jason Birchmeier of [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) describes *Dare Iz a Darkside* as having polarized Redman's fanbase, saying that some "admire ... its eccentricities" while others find it "too inaccessible"; Birchmeier himself gave the album a mixed review, saying that its production lacked the "trademark funk" of other albums [Erick Sermon](/source/Erick_Sermon) had worked on.[7][a] A contemporary review from *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)* found that the production was "sometimes too dense", but was overall positive, offering praise for Redman's lyricism.[8]

In 2025, *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))* placed *Dare Iz a Darkside* at number 78 on their list of the "100 Best Rap Albums of All Time". The website's writer Paul A. Thompson said that Redman "struck a delicate balance between outre zaniness and undeniable chops, ensuring that every joke landed, but that the method of delivery would elicit gasps."[12]

## Commercial performance

*Dare Iz a Darkside* debuted at number 13 on the US [*Billboard* 200](/source/Billboard_200) chart, and number one on the US [Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums](/source/Top_R%26B%2FHip-Hop_Albums) selling 83,000 copies,[13] becoming his first number one on the chart.[1] On January 27, 1995, the album was certified [gold](/source/RIAA_Certification) by the [Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America) (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 copies.[14] As of October 2009, the album has 587,000 copies in the United States.[15]

## Track listing

No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length 1. "Dr. Trevis" Reggie Noble Redman 1:37 2. "Bobyahed2dis" Noble Dana Stinson J. Stewart George Clinton Jr. Garry Marshall Shider David Lee Spradley Redman Rockwilder 3:24 3. "Journey Throo da Darkside" Noble Erick Sermon Norman Whitfield Redman Erick Sermon (co.) 2:26 4. "Da Journee" Noble Redman 2:12 5. "A Million and 1 Buddah Spots" Noble Sermon Erick Sermon Redman (co.) 3:23 6. "Noorotic" Noble Stinson Rockwilder Redman (co.) 3:32 7. "Boodah Session" Noble Redman 0:31 8. "Cosmic Slop" (featuring Erick Sermon and Keith Murray) Noble Sermon Keith Murray Redman Erick Sermon (co.) 2:56 9. "Rockafella (R.I.P.)" Noble Sermon Redman 0:25 10. "Rockafella" Noble Leon Haywood Clinton Jr. Bernard George Worrell William Collins Redman 4:44 11. "Green Island" Noble Robert Alexander Anderson A. Stillman Redman 5:42 12. "Basically" Noble Redman 2:03 13. "Can't Wait" Noble Sermon Rick James Antonio Hardy Erick Sermon Redman (co.) 4:13 14. "Winicumuhround" Noble Sermon Clinton Jr. Shider Spradley Erick Sermon Redman (co.) 4:28 15. "Wuditlooklike" Noble Redman 4:09 16. "Slide and Rock On" Noble Vaughan Mason Robert Telson Clinton Jr. Shider Spradley Redman 3:54 17. "Sooperman Luva II" Noble John Watson Reynaldo Rey Timothy Gatling Alton Stewart Redman 4:50 18. "We Run N.Y." (featuring Hurricane G) Noble Gloria Rodríguez Lawrence Parker Rodney LeMay Alan Lomax Eric Burdon Bryan Chandler Redman 4:13 19. "Dr. Trevis (Signs Off)" Noble Redman 1:39 20. "Tonight's da Nite (Remix) [CD Only Track]" Noble Redman 3:51 Total length: 1:04:03

The original cassette version is in a solid red shell.

## Personnel

Information taken from [Allmusic](/source/Allmusic).[16]

- Engineering – Mike Bona, Bob Fudjinski, Dave Greenberg, Bob Morse

- Executive Production – Erick Sermon

- Mastering – [Tony Dawsey](/source/Tony_Dawsey)

- Mixing – Bob Fudjinski, Dave Greenberg, Bob Morse

- Narration – Jeff Stewart

- Performing – Hurricane G, Keith Murray, Erick Sermon

- Photography – [Danny Clinch](/source/Danny_Clinch)

- Production – Reggie Noble, Erick Sermon

- Sequencing – Reggie Noble, Jeff Trotter

- Vocals – Reggie Noble, Erick Sermon

## Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1994) Peak position US Billboard 200[17] 13 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[18] 1 Year-end charts Chart (1995) Position US Billboard 200[19] 191 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[20] 33 Singles Year Single Peak chart positions[21] U.S. Billboard Hot 100 U.S. Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks U.S. Hot Rap Singles 1994 "Rockafella" — 3 62 10 1995 "Can't Wait" 94 5 61 11 "—" denotes releases that did not chart.

## Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000^ ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## See also

- [List of number-one R&B albums of 1994 (U.S.)](/source/List_of_number-one_R%26B_albums_of_1994_(U.S.))

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Birchmeier directs his criticism of the production toward Sermon, although the majority of *Dare Iz a Darkside* was in fact produced by Redman himself.[9]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BllbrdAlbms_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BllbrdAlbms_1-1) ["allmusic ((( Dare Iz a Darkside > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r207143). Allmusic. Retrieved December 2, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RedmanRIAA_2-0)** ["RIAA - Gold & Platinum - December 02, 2010 : Search Results - Redman"](https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Redman&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25). [RIAA](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America). Retrieved December 2, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Weingarten, Christopher R. (July 11, 2021). ["Before & After 'Maggot Brain'"](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/11/arts/music/funkadelic-maggot-brain.html). New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Full Clip: Redman Runs Down His Entire Catalogue"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140304160504/http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/full-clip-redman-runs-down-his-entire-catalogue?page=2). *interview*. vibe.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/full-clip-redman-runs-down-his-entire-catalogue?page=2) on March 4, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Paine, Jake. ["Redman Revisits "Dare Iz A Darkside" And Talks Gilla House, Saukrates"](http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.13301/title.redman-revisits-dare-iz-a-darkside-and-talks-gilla-house-saukrates). *hiphopdx.com*. Cheri Media. Retrieved April 26, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Bloom, Madison; Minsker, Evan. ["Method Man and Redman's VERZUZ Battle: Here's What Happened"](https://pitchfork.com/news/method-man-and-redmans-verzuz-battle-heres-what-happened/). *Pitchfork*. Retrieved November 22, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AllmscRvw_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AllmscRvw_7-1) Birchmeier, Jason. ["allmusic ((( Dare Iz a Darkside > Review )))"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r207143). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). Retrieved December 2, 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MW_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MW_8-1) ["Reviews: Albums"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-12-03.pdf#page=35) (PDF). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. December 3, 1994. p. 23. Retrieved June 17, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pitchfork_review_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pitchfork_review_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Pitchfork_review_9-2) Greene, Jayson (March 8, 2026). ["Redman: *Dare Iz A Darkside*"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/redman-dare-iz-a-darkside/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Retrieved March 8, 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CDMuze_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CDMuze_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CDMuze_10-2) ["Redman - Dare Iz a Darkside CD Album"](http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1084916/a/Dare+Iz+A+Darkside.htm). [Muze](/source/Muze). [CD Universe](/source/CD_Universe). Retrieved October 10, 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RRRvw_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RRRvw_11-1) 'Flash' Juon, Steve (March 5, 2002). ["Redman :: Dare Iz a Darkside :: Def Jam"](https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_darkside.html). RapReviews.com. Retrieved December 2, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Thompson, Paul A.; et al. (September 30, 2025). ["The 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-rap-albums-all-time/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251002232453/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-rap-albums-all-time/) from the original on October 2, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/12/03/kenny-g-puts-yule-atop-charts/](https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/12/03/kenny-g-puts-yule-atop-charts/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["RIAA Certifications - Redman"](https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=redman&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section). Retrieved March 1, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["XXL SCANS: DEF JAM'S ENTIRE DISCOGRAPHY & RECORD SALES"](https://hiphop-n-more.com/2009/10/xxl-scans-def-jams-entire-discography-record-sales/). October 18, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["allmusic ((( Dare Iz a Darkside > Credits )))"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r207143). Allmusic. Retrieved December 2, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Billboard200_Redman_18-0)** "[Redman Chart History (*Billboard* 200)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Redman/chart-history/TLP)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved October 21, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_BillboardRandBHipHop_Redman_19-0)** "[Redman Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Redman/chart-history/BLP)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved October 21, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1995"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/top-billboard-200-albums). *Billboard*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150123044853/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/the-billboard-200) from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1995"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums). *Billboard*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151003211718/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums) from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BllbrdSingles_22-0)** ["allmusic ((( Dare Iz a Darkside > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r207143). Allmusic. Retrieved December 2, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-United_StatesRedmanDare_Iz_a_DarksidealbumCertRef_23-0)** ["American album certifications – Redman – Dare Iz a Darkside"](https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Redman&ti=Dare+Iz+a+Darkside&format=Album&type=#search_section). [Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America).

## External links

- [*Dare Iz a Darkside*](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r207143) at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic_(identifier))

- *[Dare Iz a Darkside](http://www.discogs.com/Redman-Dare-Iz-A-Darkside/release/1921136)* at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

v t e Redman Discography Studio albums Whut? Thee Album Dare Iz a Darkside Muddy Waters Doc's da Name 2000 Malpractice Red Gone Wild: Thee Album Reggie Mudface Muddy Waters Too Collaboration albums El Niño (with Def Squad) Blackout! (with Method Man) Blackout! 2 (with Method Man) Singles "Blow Your Mind" "Time 4 Sum Aksion" "Tonight's da Night" "Rockafella" "Can't Wait" "Funkorama" "It's Like That (My Big Brother)" "Whateva Man" "Pick It Up" "Full Cooperation" "I'll Bee Dat!" "Da Goodness" "Let's Get Dirty (I Can't Get in da Club)" "Smash Sumthin'" "Put It Down" Featured artist "Head Banger" "The Points" "4, 3, 2, 1" "Made It Back" "How Deep Is Your Love" "Symphony 2000" "Left & Right" "Oooh." "Rollin' (Urban Assault Vehicle)" "React" "Dirrty" "Yeah Yeah U Know It" Related articles Def Squad Hit Squad Method Man & Redman Wu-Tang Clan Method & Red Rockwilder

Authority control databases MusicBrainz release group

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dare Iz a Darkside](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dare_Iz_a_Darkside) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dare_Iz_a_Darkside?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.