MTV Cribs showcased the celeb luxuries in the early 00s - palatial mansions, fleets of vehicles, and wings of dedicated closet space were common themes. But it turns out that many of the guests had rented the cars, houses, and lifestyles on display. The veil was pierced by information that many didn’t own the stuff, such as 50 Cent renting three Ferraris from a private collector and #JaRule being sued for partying in “his” mansion.
Redman called out #MTV for pressing him to rent different things for his appearance which he declined in favor of an authentic representation and what we got from his 2001 episode was anything but a phony portrayal of a rapper's life.
“You know he ain’t run off to the hills and buy a crib away from the hood, this apartment is right in the hood”
The film crew arrived early, and we got to see Redman pulled out of bed to start the tour of the typical Staten Island home, far from what you’d expect from the glitz of MTV. Piles of random assorted items he calls “exhibits” alongside plaques scattered around the house but Red claims to know where to find what he needs as a type of organized mess.
Going from a fully equipped home studio to his kitchen stocked with frozen fish dinners and on top an emergency dollar box. On his bedside, Redman keeps a mini-TV, a Nintendo, a Dreamcast, and a pile of X-rated movies. His cousin Sugar Bear is found asleep on the living room floor as Redman continues the downstairs tour. As usual, the episode ends with Red kicking out the camera crew - not before showing them how to hot-wire his doorbell.
MTV revisited his home in 2014 which he still owns to this day. Nothing has changed besides sensible upgrades, like a fixed screen door and a new dollar box. He later readdressed the episode on NORE’s Drink Champs podcast and stated that the house was initially meant as an investment property in which he ended up living in. He is one of very few truly humble hip-hop legends going from one day walking from Jersey to the Bronx to working at his Richmond Hood Company store. For Redman, authenticity is a long-term play that continues to pay off.
#shift