Method Man spent a childhood split between separated parents in Long Island and Staten Island, and in an apparent precursor to his career in hip hop was introduced both to playing drums and to poetry by his father. Not only was Method 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. 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 8 friends to form the Wu-Tang Clan in the early 1992.
Since the Wu-Tang Clan's ascendancy to hip hop stardom, Method Man has always been one of the most visible members of the collective. He was one of only two of the group to get a solo song on the group's debut album Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers and he was the first to release a solo album under the Clan's unusual contract which allows its members to release albums under any record label (Method chose to sign with legendary rap label Def Jam). Method Man's solo debut, Tical (1994) was critically acclaimed and extremely popular, entering the American charts at #4 and eventually selling in excess of one million copies.
He soon collaborated with Mary J. Blige and Redman with a series of hit singles, one of which (the Blige duet "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By") won a Grammy, before recording the second Wu-Tang album, Wu-Tang Forever.
His second solo album was Tical 2000: Judgement Day (1998), which was heavily influenced by the apocalypse theories surrounding the forthcoming end of the millennium, and which featured a vast amount of guest appearances, from his fellow Clansmen to Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, D'Angelo, Chris Rock, Mobb Deep, Redman and even Donald Trump. The album sold even better than his first, though reviews were mixed and its long running time and the abundance of between-song comedy skits were criticised by many.
Method Man then toured with Jay-Z and recorded Blackout! with Redman, a light-hearted, fun record with an EPMD-evoking emphasis on funky beats and the mischievous wit and cool flows of the two MCs.
In the twenty-first century, Method Man forged a successful career in acting. As well as his 1998 appearance in the film Belly along with fellow rappers Nas and DMX, Method has also appeared in 187 Oz, How High (a stoner film with Redman), The Wire, My Baby's Daddy, Garden State and Soul Plane, while continuing to record with the Wu-Tang Clan. He also co-starred with Redman in his own Fox sitcom called Method & Red, however after only a short time on the air the show was put on hiatus and never returned. Method Man later complained in the press about Fox's influence on the show's style, claiming that "there's been too much compromise on our side and not enough on their side" and bemoaning the network's decision to add a laugh track.
In 2004, Meth released his third album Tical 0: The Prequel, which spawned a successful single in "What's Happenin" with Busta Rhymes, but was poorly received both by critics and fans. There was trouble even before the album's release when Method apparently complained to the press about excessive interference from Def Jam over the album's beats (Meth supposedly desired more input from Wu-Tang leader RZA). On its release, many fans and critics were taken aback by its strong "mainstream" or "commercial" sound, highlighted by the guest appearances of pop-rap stars of the time Missy Elliot, P. Diddy and Ludacris. However, the album sold reasonably well, selling more than any of the other Wu-Tang solo projects released at around the same time. There was good news in early 2005 for fans who were disappointed with The Prequel as Method Man announced that a new RZA-produced album would be released later in the year. The album ultimately never materialized in 2005, though RZA and Meth continue to work on the album and are now aiming for a mid-2006 release date.
Aliases
Big John Stud
The Ghost Rider (from the comic Ghost Rider)
Hot Nickelz
Hot Nixon
Iron Lung
John-John
Johnny Blaze (from the comic Ghost Rider)
Johnny Dangerous
John-John Blaizini
Methtical (Meth-tical)
Meth
Mr. Meth
MZA ("The Mizza")
The Panty Raider
Shakwon (5% Nation "righteous name")
Tical
Ticallion Stallion
Albums
1994 Tical (Platinum)
1998 Tical 2000: Judgement Day (Platinum)
1999 Blackout! (with Redman) (Platinum)
2004 Tical 0: The Prequel
2006 4:21 The Day After
2009 Blackout! 2 (with Redman)
Singles and EPs
1994 "Bring The Pain"
1995 "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By" (with Mary J. Blige)
1995 "Release Yo' Delf"
1998 "Break Ups 2 Make Ups"
1998 "Judgement Day"'
1998 "Grand Finale" (with DMX, Nas & Ja Rule)
1999 "Tear It Off" (Method Man & Redman)
1999 "Da Rockwilder" (Method Man & Redman)
1999 "Y.O.U." (Method Man & Redman)
2004 "What's Happenin" (with Busta Rhymes)
2005 "The Show"
Appears On
1993 Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
1994 "The What" (from the The Notorious B.I.G. album Ready to Die)
1995 "Dirty Dancin" (from the Ol' Dirty Bastard album Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version)
1995 "Got The Flava" (from the Showbiz & AG album Goodfellas)
1995 "Wu-Gambinos" & "Ice Cream" (from the Raekwon album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx)
1995 "Living In The World Today", "Shadowboxin" & "Gold" (from the GZA album Liquid Swords)
1995 "The Riddler" (from the Batman Forever Soundtrack)
1996 "Box In Hand" (from the Ghostface Killah album Ironman)
1996 "Box In Hand (Remix)" (Ghostface Killah single)
1996 "Got My Mind Made Up" (from the 2Pac album All Eyez On Me)
1996 "Do What Ya Feel" (from the Redman album Muddy Waters)
1996 "Extortion" (from the Mobb Deep album Hell On Earth)
1996 "Hit 'Em High" (from the Space Jam soundtrack)
1997 Wu-Tang Forever (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
1997 "Milk The Cow", "Supa Ninjaz" & "Dart Throwing" (from the Cappadonna album The Pillage)
1997 "Next Up" & "Collaboration 98" (from the Sunz Of Man album The Last Shall Be First)
1997 "4,3,2,1" (from the LL Cool J album Phenonemon)
1998 "Well All Rite Cha" (from the Redman album Doc's Da Name 2000)
1998 "Pussy Pop" (from the Xzibit album 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz)
1998 "Whatcha Gonna Do" (from the Jayo Felony album Whatcha Gonna Do)
1998 "The Worst" (from the Onyx album Shut 'Em Down)
1999 "Rumble" (from the U-God album The Golden Arms Redemption)
1999 "Am I My Brother's Keeper" (from the Shyheim album Manchild)
1999 "Fuck Them" (from the Raekwon album Immobilarity)
1999 "Left & Right" (from the D'Angelo album Voodoo)
1999 "Stringplay" (from the GZA album Beneath The Surface)
1999 "N 2 Gether Now" (from the Limp Bizkit album Significant Other)
1999 "Half Man Half Amazin" (from the Pete Rock album Soul Survivor)
1999 "Three Amigos (If It's On)" (from the Popa Wu album Visions Of The Tenth Chamber)
1999 "NYC Everything" (from the RZA album Bobby Digital In Stereo)
1999 "Simon Says (Remix)" (from the Pharoahe Monch album Internal Affairs)
2000 "Buck 50" (from the Ghostface Killah album Supreme Clientele)
2000 "Fuhgidabowdit" (from the LL Cool J album G.O.A.T.)
2000 "Rollin' (Urban Assault Vehicle)" (from the Limp Bizkit album Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water)
2000 The W (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
2000 "Ghetto Celebrity" (from the album In The Mode by Roni Size & Reprazent
2001 "La Rhumba" & "Glocko Pop" (from the RZA album Digital Bullet)
2001 "Enjoy Da Ride" (from the Redman album Malpractice)
2001 "Dog In Heat" (from the Missy Elliott album Miss E...So Addictive)
2001 "Party & Bullshit" (from the Rush Hour 2 soundtrack)
2001 Iron Flag (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
2001 "Red Meth And Bee" (from the Cypress Hill album Stoned Raiders)
2002 "Flowers" (from the Ghostface Killah album Bulletproof Wallets)
2003 "Respect Mine" (from the Mathematics album Love, Hell Or Right)
2003 "Love @ 1st Sight" (from the Mary J. Blige album Love & Life)
2003 "We Pop (Remix)" (RZA single)
2003 "Bring The Pain" (from the Missy Elliott album This Is Not A Test!)
2003 "Ice Cream Part 2" (from the Raekwon album Lex Diamonds Story)
2003 "Noble Art" (from the IAM album Revoir Un Printemps)
2003 "Rock 'N' Roll" (from the Naughty By Nature album Icons)
2004 "Secret Rivals" (from the Masta Killa album No Said Date)
2004 "The Drummer" (from the Theodore Unit album 718)
2004 Disciples of the 36 Chambers: Chapter 1 (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
2005 "Head Rush", "John 3:16" & "Spot Lite" (from the Mathematics album The Problem)
2005 "All My Niggas", "Shoot On Sight (S.O S.)" & "Street Education" (from the Streetlife album Street Education)
2005 "High Rollers" (from the Proof album Searching for Jerry Garcia)
2005 "Still On It" (from the Ashanti album Collectables by Ashanti)
2006 "9 Milli Bros." (from the Ghostface Killah album Fishscale)
4:20 (Feat. Streetlife
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke it (roll it up niggaz)
Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke it (4:20, y'all, it's time, it's time)
Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke it (it's been a long time for this man
Niggaz been sleeping on the kid, man, everybody got some sideway shit to say)
Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke it (Carlo! Know what I'm saying, man? Yeah)
[Method Man]
Call the po-po, oh niggaz is squealing, oh, y'all ain't feeling
Niggaz no more, the bigger they are, harder they go though
Good pussy put a hump in my back like Quasimoto
Hah, my sex ain't homo, season vet, hold the adobo
Got rappers on that low carb diet, y'all can't get no dough
I keep a low pro, file, excuse me as I get smoked out
Put hands on these niggaz, then put the roach out
Go head, I'm wishing you would, ask if it's good
Man, this Tarzan shit in the woods, my shit is hood, bitch
That means I'm hood rich, telling you lies
Straight out the pull-pit, it's like Merrill Lynch I'm on that bullshit
Real spit, money come first, and even worse
You need all your toes & fingers to count up what I'm worth, trick
So when I blow a smoke cloud in your face, just take a hint
Dick, you crowding my space, it's Mr. Meth, pa
[Chorus: Carlton Fisk]
It's 4:20, roll up, nigga getting smo-ked out
No seeds, California weed have you choked out
No doubt, roll up, which rims spoked out
4:20 mean you either roll up or roll out
[RZA]
Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke it
Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke it
[Method Man]
So on and so on, I flow on
Power to our people, get your smoke on
And I'm so gone, off, that sour diesel
Hard to hold on, but hold on, it's like I'm Pretty Toney
With that robe, got terrorist shook, because I'm so bomb
The hood, put, me in position, I'm in the kitchen
With that cook book, the service I'm giving, birds they vision
Not a good look, told ya my nigga, Tical deliver
Hook or crook, lots of asses to kick, wish I had a bigger foot
Yeah, taking it there, hating who care
Y'all stay out my mental, I got killas waiting in here
To get you, as I sharpen my pencils, tear apart instrumentals
Fuck it, y'all niggaz is pussy, so is the dick that sent you
RZA, we done it again, Co-D occassion
Here's to short skirts and Ol' Dirt McGirt, okay, then
Let's get it popping, like it ain't nothing to get it popping
The big and rotten's the city, too good to be forgotten
[Chorus 2X]
[Streetlife]
The rap game won't like me
You can tell that a nigga is shiesty
If I die, my second born'll be like me
Slide dick to your wifey
Never know your baby boy just might be
Quick to rob a jack, he's so icey, stay dressed to kill
From the Hill, never ran, never will
Attitude, like, fuck you still, I see you missing the point
This is not a rap song, you get clapped on
Bullets break the bone, like the joint, call you out your name
Disrespect ya moms, spit on your dame
Go public, then, shit on your fame, you overlooking the fact
Where you from, is where we at
And y'all don't want no, parts, in that that
Caught your verse for sale, but real niggaz don't shoot & tell
We'd rather do the time and rot in the cell
[Carlton Fisk]
The inner outer state, bi-coastal smoker
Inhale, Cali piff with a swift of glaucoma
Black jeans, black Timbs, black Benz roaster
Smoke rise, out the sun roof when I roll up
Verrazano, with no relation to Gravano
Carlo, shots are hollow, still cop a bottle
And pour some out, moment of silence, then I swallow
I'm still alive, and still the sun'll come out tomorrow
Shine shine shine, and grind, cuz it's money on my mind
And I'm moving like my life is on the line
For the bullshit, I really got no time, a full clip
Really gon' let ya niggaz know what's on my mind
When ya getting out of line, have them choppers lit up
You won't need a camera phone to get the picture
Chalk down, tape around, body bag zipped up
Carlo Verrazano, you can call me mister
[Chorus]
The song "4:20" by Method Man featuring Streetlife was released in 2006 and is an ode to marijuana culture. The song starts with an intro by RZA, encouraging the listener to roll, light and smoke up. Method Man then starts with his verse, boasting about his skills and how he's been able to make money from rap. He also hints at his love for weed. Carlton Fisk does the chorus which tells the listener to either roll up or roll out, followed by RZA encouraging the listener to smoke up. The song's second verse is by Streetlife with him boasting about his quickness to rob and hurt others, bragging about his attitude to life while also touching upon the harsh realities of life in the ghettos.
The song’s lyrics revolve around marijuana culture, with many references to smoking weed. However, the song also highlights life on the streets and the harsh realities of gangster life. The line "hard to hold on, but hold on, it's like I'm Pretty Toney/With that robe, got terrorist shook, because I'm so bomb" talks about the power and reputation of gangsters who have a hold on the ghetto life. The song also touched upon the risks involved in gangster life, violence, and crime with Streetlife’s verse. Both Method Man and Streetlife's verses show the harsh reality of ghetto life, with many references to violence, sex, and drugs.
Line by Line Meaning
Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke it
Let's get high by rolling, lighting, and smoking marijuana
Fast or slow mo, oh no, Meth done made a killing
Method Man has made a lot of money in the rap game
Call the po-po, oh niggaz is squealing, oh, y'all ain't feeling
People are calling the police because they are snitching on Method Man
Niggaz no more, the bigger they are, harder they go though
Big rappers are trying too hard to be tough
Good pussy put a hump in my back like Quasimoto
Having sex with a good woman makes Method Man feel like he has a hunchback
Got rappers on that low carb diet, y'all can't get no dough
Other rappers are struggling financially
I keep a low pro, file, excuse me as I get smoked out
Method Man keeps a low profile but enjoys smoking marijuana
Put hands on these niggaz, then put the roach out
Method Man will fight other rappers and then finish smoking his marijuana
Go head, I'm wishing you would, ask if it's good
Method Man challenges other rappers to fight him and ask if his music is good
That means I'm hood rich, telling you lies
Method Man may appear rich but he is still lying to his fans
Real spit, money come first, and even worse
Method Man prioritizes money above all else, even to his own detriment
You need all your toes & fingers to count up what I'm worth, trick
Method Man is very wealthy
So when I blow a smoke cloud in your face, just take a hint
If Method Man blows marijuana smoke in someone's face, they should know to back off
It's 4:20, roll up, nigga getting smo-ked out
It is time to smoke marijuana at 4:20
No seeds, California weed have you choked out
California marijuana is very strong and can make you cough
4:20 mean you either roll up or roll out
If you're not going to smoke marijuana, leave
Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke it
Let's smoke marijuana
Power to our people, get your smoke on
We should smoke marijuana to feel empowered
And I'm so gone, off, that sour diesel
RZA is very high from smoking strong marijuana
Hard to hold on, but hold on, it's like I'm Pretty Toney
It's difficult to hold on to reality when you're high, but RZA is managing to do so like Tony Stark (Pretty Toney)
With that robe, got terrorist shook, because I'm so bomb
RZA feels like a bomb wearing a robe that makes people nervous
The hood, put, me in position, I'm in the kitchen
RZA's background growing up in a poor neighborhood helped him become a successful rapper
With that cook book, the service I'm giving, birds they vision
RZA's album is so good that people can easily see its value
Not a good look, told ya my nigga, Tical deliver
RZA's friend Tical is delivering bad news
Lots of asses to kick, wish I had a bigger foot
RZA wants to punish more people than he can physically handle
The rap game won't like me
Streetlife's music style is not popular in the rap game
You can tell that a nigga is shiesty
People can see that Streetlife is untrustworthy
If I die, my second born'll be like me
Streetlife's son is likely to resemble him
Slide dick to your wifey
Streetlife will have sex with another rapper's wife
Never know your baby boy just might be
Streetlife might father another rapper's child
Quick to rob a jack, he's so icey, stay dressed to kill
Streetlife is good at stealing and always looks good
The inner outer state, bi-coastal smoker
Carlton Fisk smokes marijuana on both the East and West coasts
Inhale, Cali piff with a swift of glaucoma
Carlton Fisk smokes strong Californian marijuana to relieve glaucoma symptoms
Black jeans, black Timbs, black Benz roaster
Carlton Fisk dresses in all black and drives a black convertible Benz
Smoke rise, out the sun roof when I roll up
Smoke from marijuana rises out of the sunroof of Fisk's car when he arrives
Verrazano, with no relation to Gravano
Fisk is named after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge but is not related to mobster Salvatore Gravano
Carlo, shots are hollow, still cop a bottle
Fisk drinks champagne even though he has been shot before
And pour some out, moment of silence, then I swallow
Fisk pours some champagne out for those who have died and then drinks the rest
I'm still alive, and still the sun'll come out tomorrow
Fisk is still alive and optimistic about the future
Y'all stay out my mental, I got killas waiting in here
Fisk has dangerous thoughts and emotions inside that he doesn't want other people to know about
When ya getting out of line, have them choppers lit up
If someone crosses Fisk, he will use weapons against them
You won't need a camera phone to get the picture
Fisk's threats are very clear and do not require documentation
Chalk down, tape around, body bag zipped up
If Fisk follows through on his threats, someone will end up dead and zipped up in a body bag
Carlo Verrazano, you can call me mister
Fisk identifies as Carlo Verrazano and expects respect
Contributed by Jeremiah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.