It's been a long time coming, and now Redman is finally expected to release Malpractice, his fifth solo album, on April 17.

Information on the follow-up to 1998's Doc's Da Name 2000 is limited; the New Jersey rapper has been adding and removing songs to the LP since its release date changed from last December to April, according to a Def Jam publicist.

Method Man, George Clinton and Saukrates are confirmed guests on the LP, and some of the producers on the album include longtime Redman collaborators Erick Sermon, Rockwilder and DJ Twinz, as well as Redman himself.

Doc's Da Name 2000 is certified platinum, while Redman's first three albums — 1992's Whut? The Album, 1994's Dare Iz a Darkside and 1996's Muddy Waters — are all certified gold. Redman's collaborative LP with Method Man, Blackout!, was released in 1999 and has sold more than 1.3 million copies to date, according to SoundScan.

In other Redman news, he and Method Man are shooting the film "How High" in Los Angeles. Lark Voorhies of "Saved by the Bell" fame also has a lead role in the movie, which is expected to arrive in theaters by the end of the year.

Redman's previous cinematic adventures include 1997's "Rhyme & Reason" and 1998's "Ride," as well as 2000's "Boricua's Bond" and "Backstage." The latter was a documentary on the Hard Knock Life Tour, which also featured Jay-Z, DMX and Method Man.