Method Man (born Clifford Smith, April 1, 1971 in Hempstead, New York) is an American rapper and member of the hip hop collective, Wu-Tang Clan. Method Man takes his name from The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man, a 1979 film by Jimmy Shaw starring Peter Chen Lau.
Fans of Method Man often refer to him by the shorthand nickname "Meth"; the man himself has self-applied a variety of nicknames, the most common being variations of "Johnny Blaze." Not only was Meth interested in music, he was also fascinated by comic books and particularly Ghost Rider, a fascination which manifested itself years later in several of his many rap aliases. By his account, his pre-hip hop adult life was mostly split between drug dealing and low-paid jobs (including a stint working at the Statue Of Liberty, along with future Wu-Tang colleague U-God). After becoming well known on the streets for his rhyming abilities, he joined with eight friends to form the Wu-Tang Clan in the early 1990s.
Stringplay
GZA & Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, and it goes like this
Uh uh uh uh, it goes like that
Now let me tell you who I am
Up early in the morning, dressed in black
Who dat? *echoes*
[Genius/GZA]
Marvel this theatrical, drama on stage
Broadway classical, led men to rage
Like currents, the beat change and now a flow is strange
You in the arctic wit wolves that viciously main
Thugs that roam clubs, in the dark wit fireworks that spark
Saltwater vibrations comin from sharks
Blood-thirsty kids bite just as well as I write
You're like secretaries who can't type, you're no use
Broke down vessels who want a boost, there's no jokes
Quick fast you, get stumped cuz you played, your organ pump
Kool-Aid, from Indiana wit the Jones of a Lost Crusade
Hip-hop done hit the church, choir girls rockin mini skirts
The b-side kept plenty hurt
Push like the shovels in snow storms
And stack piles of foul, the shit you must GROW ON! *echoes*
Chorus [Method Man] 4x
Uh and it goes like this
Uh uh uh uh, it goes like that
[Method Man]
Pay no attention to the evil they speak
You caught the beef wit the equal eye, poisonous beats from underneath
Crack the concrete wit two left feet
Head on my meat
Ain't no games here we playin for keeps (WE PLAY FOR KEEPS!)
Introducing, the crowd seducing man on the street
Penitentiaries is either half-dead or too sweet
Back to basic, condition-al god, plus I can take it
Wagin war within the matrix, it's hard to see
Touch, hear, smell or even taste it, take your places
We runnin in these human races, bucking naked
Back-slappin kid yappin, actin villian catchin feelin like we cap peelin
As if we killin every brick in every project building
From Cabrini Green to Tildens, sincerely yours
Mista Meth and Maximilion (da millions, da millions)
(Ka ka ka ka ka ka ka KAAA!) (da millions ha!)
Chorus 5x
[Method Man]
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
Wu-Tang Killa Bees on the swarm (WE PLAY FOR KEEPS!)
(WE PLAY FOR KEEPS!)
Wu-Tang Killa Bees on the swarm
And it goes like this
The lyrics to "Stringplay" by GZA & Method Man are filled with vivid imagery and wordplay, showcasing the lyrical prowess of both artists. The song starts with Method Man introducing himself in his typical charismatic style, dressed in black and ready to make an impact. GZA then takes over, painting a picture of a theatrical drama unfolding on stage, with the beat changing and a flow that is unpredictable. He compares himself and his crew to fierce wolves in the arctic, ready to attack. They navigate through the dark and dangerous world of hip-hop, thriving in a landscape full of sharks and blood-thirsty individuals.
The chorus, repeated multiple times, emphasizes the raw energy and power of the track. Method Man urges the audience to pay no attention to the negativity and hate around them. He acknowledges the poisonous beats and evil words being thrown at them but encourages his listeners to rise above it. He represents the streets, where penitentiaries are filled with broken souls. He embraces his role as a seductive performer who can captivate the crowd, but also acknowledges the struggles and battles within the matrix of life. The Wu-Tang Killa Bees, known for their fierce and relentless nature, take center stage and continue to dominate the rap scene.
Line by Line Meaning
Marvel this theatrical, drama on stage
Witness the captivating performance, the intense drama unfolding before your eyes
Broadway classical, led men to rage
Like a classical masterpiece, it evokes strong emotions and stirs up a sense of rebellion
Like currents, the beat change and now a flow is strange
The rhythm shifts unexpectedly, creating a unique and unfamiliar flow
You in the arctic wit wolves that viciously main
You find yourself in a cold, dangerous environment with ruthless individuals who cause harm
Thugs that roam clubs, in the dark wit fireworks that spark
Criminals who freely move around nightclubs, creating chaos and excitement
Saltwater vibrations comin from sharks
Intense and aggressive energy emanating from ruthless individuals
Blood-thirsty kids bite just as well as I write
Young individuals hungry for success are just as skilled and talented as I am
You're like secretaries who can't type, you're no use
You're as useless as a secretary who can't type proficiently
Broke down vessels who want a boost, there's no jokes
Individuals who are broken and seeking a way out, and there's no time for humor
Quick fast you, get stumped cuz you played, your organ pump
You quickly get confused and lose your enthusiasm because you've been fooled, and your heart beats in disappointment
Kool-Aid, from Indiana wit the Jones of a Lost Crusade
Like the iconic Kool-Aid brand, coming from Indiana with the spirit of adventure and a sense of purpose
Hip-hop done hit the church, choir girls rockin mini skirts
Hip-hop culture now influences the church, with even choir girls embracing a more modern and provocative fashion style
The b-side kept plenty hurt
The less popular side of a record, often overlooked, carries deep emotional pain
Push like the shovels in snow storms
Persevere through difficult times, just like pushing shovels in the midst of snow storms
And stack piles of foul, the shit you must GROW ON!
Accumulate negativity and challenges, which serve as the fertilizer for personal growth
Pay no attention to the evil they speak
Ignore the negative words and intentions of others
You caught the beef wit the equal eye, poisonous beats from underneath
You engage in conflicts with an unbiased perspective, facing the harmful and deceptive music from below
Crack the concrete wit two left feet
Break through obstacles, even with a lack of grace or coordination
Head on my meat
Focused and determined
Ain't no games here we playin for keeps (WE PLAY FOR KEEPS!)
We are serious and committed, not playing around, as we compete to achieve lasting success
Introducing, the crowd seducing man on the street
Presenting the charming and captivating individual who captivates the masses
Penitentiaries is either half-dead or too sweet
Correctional institutions are filled with individuals who are either barely alive or who have become too accustomed to the lifestyle
Back to basic, condition-al god, plus I can take it
Returning to fundamental principles, including the idea of a conditional higher power, and being strong enough to withstand it
Wagin war within the matrix, it's hard to see
Engaged in a battle of ideologies and beliefs within a complex system, making it difficult to perceive the truth
Touch, hear, smell or even taste it, take your places
Experience it with all your senses, position yourself accordingly
We runnin in these human races, bucking naked
We are participating in the competitive nature of society, exposing ourselves and daring to be vulnerable
Back-slappin kid yappin, actin villian catchin feelin like we cap peelin
Engaging in false bravado and empty talk, pretending to be a villain, and catching emotions like they were targets
As if we killin every brick in every project building
Acting as if we are destroying and conquering every obstacle in the inner-city neighborhoods
From Cabrini Green to Tildens, sincerely yours
From notorious housing projects like Cabrini Green to educational institutions like Tildens, with genuine regards
Mista Meth and Maximilion (da millions, da millions)
Mr. Meth and Maximilion, representing the masses and their aspirations for wealth and success
(Ka ka ka ka ka ka ka KAAA!) (da millions ha!)
The sound of gunfire and the laughter of victorious individuals
Wu-Tang Killa Bees on the swarm (WE PLAY FOR KEEPS!)
The Wu-Tang Killa Bees, a collective force, aggressively taking action and committed to lasting success
Wu-Tang Killa Bees on the swarm
The Wu-Tang Killa Bees, passionately and aggressively advancing as a unified unit
And it goes like this
This is how it unfolds
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SULAYMAN ANSARI, GARY E. GRICE, CH'RON SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind