“Red Light” marked Eddie Murphy’s musical comeback in 2013, and he’s brought the legendary Snoop Dogg with him. Eddie Murphy quickly proved himself a star thanks to his stand-up comedy and appearances on Saturday Night Live. He made his film debut with 1982’s 48 Hours from director Walter Hill. This action thriller paired Murphy’s fast-talking con with Nick Nolte’s angry cop, and their unique combination made it a hit. Murphy later cemented his movie stardom with the success of both Trading Places and Beverly Hills Cop.
He was so popular during this period that when Paramount’s misfiring comedy Best Defense starring Dudley Moore (Arthur) received horrible test audience scores, they paid Murphy a hefty sum to film additional scenes to lure in viewers; he’s credited on the poster as a “Strategic Guest Star.” He even had his own solo album with 1985’s How Could It Be, which is best remembered for hit single “Party All The Time.”
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Murphy would follow up with other albums like 1989’s So Happy and 1993’s Love’s Alright, which featured a duet with Michael Jackson on the track “Whatzupwitu.” These two albums fared poorly commercially and Murphy stepped away from music to focus on his movie career. According to the star, he never stopped making music, he just recorded it in his home for the fun of it. That’s why it came as a surprise to many when he suddenly dropped the track “Red Light,” a reggae-inspired song that was actually pretty decent.
Eddie Murphy teamed with Snoop Dogg on the catchy track, and during an interview with Rolling Stone Murphy would put “Red Light’s” good reviews down to lowered expectations; neither critics nor fans were expecting it, making it easier to judge on its own merits. Murphy later followed up with another reggae song “Oh Jah Jah,” but while there were rumors of a new album to follow – with the star claiming he has a lot of unreleased material – it has yet to emerge.
The history of movie stars releasing music is a bleak one, but Murphy’s had a little more luck than most. “Red Light” is a genuinely decent little song, and it probably helps he basically recorded it for fun instead of making a serious bid for musical stardom. The star is currently on course for a big movie comeback, thanks to well-received biopic Dolemite Is My Name and the forthcoming sequels Coming 2 America and Beverly Hills Cops 4.
