Hip-hop legend Redman caught many of his fans by surprise when he revealed that he went celibate and abstained from drugs for more than two years and speaks highly of abstaining from sex. Redman was best known as the fun-loving, weed-smoking lyrical rapper who partnered with Method Man in movies, TV shows, and more.
But during an interview with Ambrosia For Heads, the rap legend said: “My girl and I broke up maybe three, four years ago. I was going through such a sh*t divorce that lasted seven years that played a role in why it took so long to drop Muddy Waters [Too]. I had so much on my plate.
“I actually fasted two years and a half — no fucking, no smoking. Straight two years and a half. It was the best thing I could have done in my life. It was the best thing.”
Redman admitted there were some challenges along the way, though.
“And believe me, I wanted to, I was fighting it, I was sweating,” he said. “I was in my house going crazy ’cause I live alone. I was constantly talking to myself. Me and God, just back and forth.
“But I made it and it was the best thing I could have done.”
He also talked about the benefits of practicing celibacy: “It cleared out so much distraction. My reception is much clearer now. Having no sex is nothing to me now because it was all feeding the flesh.
“Once I did that, I was able to control how I moved, what I like, what is not good for me.”
Celibacy is the practice of not having sex. But not everyone defines celibacy the same way. Some people abstain from all kinds of sexual contact, including kissing or holding hands. Others only refrain from sexual intercourse. Some people use masturbation in place of partnered sex. Others refrain from that as well.
You might associate celibacy with religion, but faith isn’t the only reason why people decide not to have sex.
Reasons why some people abstain from sex include:
Lower stress. Pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are serious risks people take if they engage in sexual relationships. Some people prefer to set aside those worries entirely by not having sex. Some people choose to only participate in sexual activities such as kissing, petting, or cuddling. Those activities have a low risk of STIs. Also, performance anxiety plays a part in an increased stress level. So taking that off the table can also lower stress
Increased focus. While abstaining from sex doesn’t directly clear your mind, some people feel more able to concentrate on school or work if they’re not thinking about sex. Choosing to be celibate frees them from thinking about or planning sexual encounters. Without sex as a distraction, they can put all their energy into other activities. Studies have found that girls who delay sexual activity are more likely to finish high school.
Healing from trauma or grief. People who have been through a traumatic experience or lost a loved one may need to put all their energy towards healing. Abstinence gives them time to focus on their emotional needs so that they can recover.
Personal development. Some of the spiritual goals of celibacy can apply even if you aren’t religious. Some people who opt for celibacy do so to work on things such as self-discipline, mental clarity, mindfulness, and self-awareness.
In 1990, at another hip-hop legendary group, EPMD’s, show in New York, Redman was invited onstage by rapper/producer Erick Sermon where he delivered a rap freestyle that changed his life. He freestyled a song describing himself as a rapper using every letter in the alphabet, from A to Z. After this, Redman was an official rap artist and began production with Erick Sermon on his first major label album, Whut? Thee Album.
That same year, Redman made his official debut on EPMD’s album Business as Usual, appearing on the tracks “Hardcore” and “Brothers on My Jock”.
In 1992, Redman released his debut album, Whut? Thee Album, which AllMusic noted for blending “reggae and funk influences” with a “terse, though fluid rap style”. The album peaked at number forty-nine on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold. He was named “Rap Artist of the Year” by The Source. Redman followed this up with his 1994 album, Dare Iz a Darkside. The first single, “Rockafella”, samples Leon Haywood’s “I Want’a Do Something Freaky to You” and George Clinton’s “Flash Light”, two of the most sampled songs in hip hop. Redman’s second album was notable for having most of the tracks produced by the artist himself (later on Redman would let other producers make most of his beats). During this time he used former mentor Erick Sermon to produce his records, including “Pick It Up” and “Whateva Man” from Muddy Waters.
In 1992, Redman appeared in A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario” music video.
Redman released his second studio album, Dare Iz a Darkside on November 22, 1994, by Def Jam Recordings. The album debuted at 13 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Redman has said that he was on drugs during the recording of the album, and said in 2010 that he had not played the album in recent years because it was made during a particularly dark period in his life.
Nowadays, Redman is touring and producing and thriving in this clearer, more focused season of his life.
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