Their first collaborative album, Blackout! (1999), is widely considered a masterpiece. It captured the raw, unhinged energy of two titans trading bars over raw, funk-driven production. So when they announced a sequel— Blackout! 2 —eleven years later, the stakes were astronomical. Could two men in their late 30s recapture the frantic, high-energy magic of their late-20s prime?
By 2009, the hip-hop landscape had shifted dramatically. Auto-Tune was king, ringtone rap was fading, and the blog era was in full swing. Yet, Meth and Red remained unconcerned with trends. In interviews leading up to the release, Method Man stated, “We weren’t gonna do a Blackout 2 just to do it. We had to be in the right space mentally. This is for the fans who been asking for it since the first one.”
The surprise gem of the album. Over a gorgeous Pete Rock beat, the duo trades verses about the temptations and dangers of nightlife. Bun B’s UGK-influenced verse adds a Southern swagger that fits surprisingly well. It’s proof that Meth and Red can be introspective without losing their edge. method man and redman blackout 2
a” (Intro)** The album kicks off with a fake radio call-in show. A fan complains about the 11-year wait. Meth and Red respond not with an apology, but with a blistering 90-second a cappella assault. It’s a statement of intent: We haven’t lost a step.
“A-Yo,” “Dangerous Mcees,” “City Lights,” “Four Minutes to Lock Down” Rating: 8/10 Verdict: A funky, smoke-filled victory lap from two of hip-hop’s greatest friends. Stream or purchase Blackout! 2 to witness the enduring power of true hip-hop synergy. Their first collaborative album, Blackout
In the pantheon of hip-hop duos, few possess the natural, combustible chemistry of Method Man (Clifford Smith) and Redman (Reggie Noble). Emerging from the golden era of the 1990s—one as a standout from the Wu-Tang Clan, the other as the funkadelic solo star on Def Jam—the pair became legendary not just for their music, but for their stoner-buddy comedy on the MTV series Method & Red and the cult-classic film How High .
Released on May 19, 2009, via Def Jam Recordings, Blackout! 2 answered that question with a resounding, bass-boosted . It didn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, it reminded fans why that wheel was so fun to smoke and ride on in the first place. The Long Wait: Why Did It Take 11 Years? Following the success of Blackout! (which peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200) and the How High soundtrack (2001), Method Man and Redman became a packaged brand. However, solo careers, label politics, and acting gigs continually pushed a proper sequel to the back burner. So when they announced a sequel— Blackout
The official first single. A minimalist Erick Sermon beat built on a hypnotic guitar loop. The chorus is infectious, and Meth’s opening lines—“Hold up, wait a minute / Let me put some funk in it”—instantly became a fan-favorite ad-lib. Saukrates’ smooth hook provides the perfect contrast to the duo’s grit.