“Tonight’s da Night” was released as the third single from "Whut? Thee Album" and peaked at #78 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The remixed version was featured as a bonus track on his sophomore album "Dare Iz a Darkside".
Erick Sermon talked about the production of the song:
"That was one of the first [records we did together for Whut? Thee Album]. That came from being in the condo and playing some 45s. I was just playing some 45s that day. I heard the melody, and the beat was slow, so I sped it up [from 33] to 45. And I was like, “Wow.” I liked it, but I didn’t know he was going to like it. But he liked it.
[The Hurricane G part in the beginning, where she tells him to switch from a smooth style to a hardcore style] was all him. He probably liked the beat, but I guess when he was saying [the rap] he probably was getting too smooth on the beat. And I think that was just them [being creative]."
Tonight's Da Night
Redman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Relax the tongue, let my mic take a cruise
Around the planet, pack 'em in like Janet
Jackson, she's askin' if I can slam it
I'm
Yo, yo, Redman, man, what the fuck, man
Get the fuck off that, punk smooth shit, man
Mic check, I walk around the streets with a black TEC-9
By the waistline, kickin' the hype shit
I never claimed to be the best type of rapper
But have to show them motherfuckers what I'm after
I'm after the gold, then after that, the platinum
Beef after that, Hurricane G packs the gat, son
Trigger, bang, bang, yo, bust the slang, what my name?
It's the Redman on the funk thing
Psych, you're motherfuckin' right, tonight's the night
To do what I wanna do, to do it like dynamite
Then we'll perfect it when the funk been injected
I roughen up the rough draft to like make your head split
Punk, pass the forty and the blunt and don't front
On the block, 'cause when you do front, brothers are gettin' stomped
I'm not an addict, more like puff than magic
Then pass it when I'm through 'cause my crew
(Gots to have it)
I don't claim to be a big rap star
'Cause no matter who you are, you'll still catch a bullet scar
So listen up and take heed to what I'm sayin'
'Cause tonight's the night and me and my niggas ain't playin'
Fat black bitch, nasty
Bush bear, booger breath, bitch
Nasty, talk to your tits, bitch
With them nasty Africans, Mr. Bojangles
Turned up shoes havin' ass
Lemming leprechaun haircut, motherfucker
You wanna see me get cool, please, save it for the breeze
'Cause the lyrics and tracks, make me funky like cottage cheese
Fuck the smooth shit, I get down wit the boom bip
Like Q-Tip, I kick more styles than Bruce shoes kick
But tonight's the night what I write tonight
This type of funk with the flavor like Mike 'n' Ike's
Hanging out wit my niggas, my niggas
The Pack Pistol Posse keep they fingers on the triggers
I keep the forty between my lap, coolin', rollin' down the highway
Blunt system pumps 'cause it's Friday
Roll over to pick my boys up, we raise a lot of noise
'Cause, we can do that, black, so "Get the Bozack," Jack
Remember, I do the type of evil that men do
Like cursin' out my window at a bitch and her friend too
So turn the volume up a notch
And watch the ba-bump, ba-bump, make ya speakers pop
That's the funk, when it pumps it makes your rump
Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump
But if you want to see a fly but frantic
Cool romantic, more slicker than my man, Rick
You better check the Yellow Pages under smooth shit
'Cause Red ain't down for the bullshit
Niggas fucked up by letting me make an album
(How come, rude boy?)
To get on the mic and let my fuckin' style run
Nasty fuckin' greenthumb Jolly Green niggas
Tango mango, pickin' havin' ass
Nasty epileptic disease crazy havin' ass
Johnny Cash, afro havin'
Jack of Spades, boots havin'
Tony Danza, shoes wearin' ass!
B-b-b-black by popular demand, I expand
My hand to the mic and let my mouth kick the flim flam
I get sex, I get wreck, I puff mad blunts
I get vexed, I break necks, punch out gold fronts, chump
You
Yo, fuck that, yo, turn this shit off, man (yo, yo, yo, turn that shit off)
Turn this shit off, G
Yo put a new record on, know what I'm sayin'?
"Tonight's Da Night" by Redman is a rap classic from the artist's debut album "Whut? Thee Album". The song opens with Redman boasting that he can effortlessly rap over any groove, and then transitions into a tough-talking verse declaring his intention to succeed in the rap game by achieving gold and platinum records. The chorus of the song, “Tonight’s the night, just do what I wanna do, and do it like dynamite” establishes a theme of reckless abandon that carries throughout the song. In the third verse, the artist proclaims he is not afraid to use violent measures to protect himself and his crew, using aggressive language to make his point.
The song has a distinctly funky feel which is characteristic of Redman's style. He uses his signature rough flow to deliver his lyrics with a kind of raw energy that is unique in the genre. The use of profanity and references to violence are also typical of the artist's style. The song incorporates several elements of hip hop culture, including smoking marijuana, drinking forties, and driving lowrider cars- all of which are associated with the street culture that Redman represents.
Overall, "Tonight's Da Night" is the kind of song that is meant to be played loud and enjoyed in a group setting. It is a classic example of the kind of hip hop music that emerged from the streets of New York during the late 80s and early 90s, and it still resonates with fans of the genre today.
Line by Line Meaning
Mic check, I can get smooth to any groove
I can adapt to any kind of music with ease
Relax the tongue, let my mic take a cruise
I don't need to force it, just let the words flow
Around the planet, pack 'em in like Janet
My music is world famous and draws big crowds
Jackson, she's askin' if I can slam it
She wants to know if I can perform to her standards
Mic check, I walk around the streets with a black TEC-9
I'm a tough rapper and ready for anything
By the waistline, kickin' the hype shit
I'm confident and in control
I never claimed to be the best type of rapper
I don't have to be the best, I do my own thing
But have to show them motherfuckers what I'm after
I have a goal and I'll do anything to achieve it
I'm after the gold, then after that, the platinum
I want to achieve success and recognition
Beef after that, Hurricane G packs the gat, son
I'm not afraid of conflicts, even involves guns
Trigger, bang, bang, yo, bust the slang, what my name?
I'm ready to fire, bold and confident in my identity
It's the Redman on the funk thing
I'm Redman, the man behind the funk
Psych, you're motherfuckin' right, tonight's the night
I'm joking around, but I'm serious about this moment being significant
To do what I wanna do, to do it like dynamite
I'm going to perform with explosive energy and passion
Then we'll perfect it when the funk been injected
We'll refine it and make it even better
I roughen up the rough draft to like make your head split
My lyrics are powerful and impactful
Punk, pass the forty and the blunt and don't front
Let's enjoy some booze and weed, without any excuses
On the block, 'cause when you do front, brothers are gettin' stomped
If you act tough, you'll get beat up
I'm not an addict, more like puff than magic
I'm not addicted to drugs, I just like to smoke weed
Then pass it when I'm through 'cause my crew
I'll share it with my friends, we'll enjoy it together
(Gots to have it)
We can't live without it, we're addicted to weed
I don't claim to be a big rap star
I don't need fame and fortune to be happy
'Cause no matter who you are, you'll still catch a bullet scar
No one is invincible, anyone can get hurt
So listen up and take heed to what I'm sayin'
Pay attention, what I'm saying is important
'Cause tonight's the night and me and my niggas ain't playin'
This is our night, we're going to do something great
Fat black bitch, nasty
I'm insulting someone, calling them disgusting
Bush bear, booger breath, bitch
I'm being vulgar and disrespectful
Nasty, talk to your tits, bitch
I'm objectifying and demeaning women
With them nasty Africans, Mr. Bojangles
I'm making racist comments
Turned up shoes havin' ass
I'm insulting someone's appearance
Lemming leprechaun haircut, motherfucker
I'm making fun of someone's looks and nationality
You wanna see me get cool, please, save it for the breeze
Don't try to provoke me, I won't get emotional
'Cause the lyrics and tracks, make me funky like cottage cheese
My music makes me feel alive and energized
Fuck the smooth shit, I get down wit the boom bip
I don't like soft music, I prefer something more upbeat
Like Q-Tip, I kick more styles than Bruce shoes kick
I'm versatile and can do different styles of rap
But tonight's the night what I write tonight
This is my moment, I'm going to shine
This type of funk with the flavor like Mike 'n' Ike's
My music is funky and flavorful, like candy
Hanging out wit my niggas, my niggas
I'm with my friends, my crew
The Pack Pistol Posse keep they fingers on the triggers
My crew is tough and ready to defend themselves
I keep the forty between my lap, coolin', rollin' down the highway
I'm driving and chilling, drinking alcohol and enjoying myself
Blunt system pumps 'cause it's Friday
We're smoking weed because it's the end of the week
Roll over to pick my boys up, we raise a lot of noise
I'm going to meet my friends, and we'll be loud and rowdy
'Cause, we can do that, black, so "Get the Bozack," Jack
We can act crazy, we're free to do what we want
Remember, I do the type of evil that men do
I can be cruel and violent, just like anyone else
Like cursin' out my window at a bitch and her friend too
I'm using abusive language towards women
So turn the volume up a notch
Make the music louder, more intense
And watch the ba-bump, ba-bump, make ya speakers pop
Feel the bass, let it shake the room
That's the funk, when it pumps it makes your rump
The music is funky and makes you dance and move your butt
Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump
That's what the music is all about, jumping and having fun
But if you want to see a fly but frantic
If you want to see something cool and crazy
Cool romantic, more slicker than my man, Rick
Smooth and romantic, like the singer Rick James
You better check the Yellow Pages under smooth shit
You should look for more mellow and chill music
'Cause Red ain't down for the bullshit
I'm not interested in fake and phony music
Niggas fucked up by letting me make an album
People made a mistake by letting me produce a record
(How come, rude boy?)
What do you mean, why?
To get on the mic and let my fuckin' style run
To express myself and let my own unique style be heard
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Rick James, Reggie Noble, Jesse Albert Stone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ElMoscas114
Who’s still bumping this in 2024?
@antonsantiago9849
Yo
@brianearls4762
Hell yeah
@tysonmwamba5220
What is that sample what cuts in at 1:34 what song is it
@cescentreri5231
Better believe it. May true Hip Hop live.
@SAM-ru4vx
Yep
@myronpitts354
Am I the only one who wanted to hear him continue the smooth version? Lol. Classic song.
@Gatorgetfresh
I always said that shit wish he put that version out too
@spencerrumsey8077
Dude same. I would love to hear that. He was flowing so hard. Glad I’m not the only who thought that.
@nicksatie8072
niggas bustin with wheels god damnit what u supposed to do protect ya neck time to stop spittin at that point xD