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)
I Know Sumptn
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's time we came in the motherfuckin club nigga
They gotta know we in the buildin' nigga, yeah!
Y'all motherfuckers got like (damn)
Two minutes to get to the motherfuckin bar nigga
(Y'all already know the business nigga)
Ha ha
Pulled up the G ride then I'm up in here
I ain't worried, I got mad mo' up his ear
And my advice stay at bay like a buccaneer
I feel good when I walk inside
All eyes on the bro that's NBA live
The A.I. of rap, these haters wan' try
To shut me down but I, fly, high
A hood fella always gotta keep somethin' close
A gutter flow like mine, gotta let 'em know
I'm Xxplosive like Dre, Next Episode
Check my file baby, this is the mother-load
Take off your heels (yeah) and shake your hair (yeah)
A nigga like me weavin' through everywhere (yeah)
I taste like new money, make it clear
Baby, tell your friends that we right here
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
(You don't wanna see me shine)
(Talkin' shit, on the low)
(Hate to see me in the sky)
(Flyin' high, high, high)
Who them dudes smellin' like trees when we up in here?
Straight Gilla and Killa Bees when we up in here
Kush nigga, I keep the weed in the Tupperware
Fuck security, V.I.P., we can puff in here
Niggas know how we do it (yeah) I ain't buyin' the bar (nah)
I'm tryin to talk her out her drawers, she tryin to charge
I ain't tryin to ball
Don't spend no money in the club, if I said that I was I'd be lyin' to y'all
I gotta have it, an addict, two and a puff and you'd rather hate us
Discuss it, no more discussions, the head if the house
Is now speakin', the food is ready for eatin'
Your head is ready for beatin', I'll kick your teeth in
Don't fuck with the couch
You know a nigga black out off a couple beers
Smoke up an ounce, pass out like a couple years
And mami doin' her thing, she in her underwear
You join the team and that win, I'll put you under there
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
(You don't wanna see me shine)
(Talkin' shit, on the low)
(Hate to see me in the sky)
(Flyin' high, high, high)
You know you smell mad weed when we up in here
A Wildboy like Steve when we up in here (hey!)
And haters, they smell cheese when we up in here
But when we up in here, y'all know nothin' here
And you know how we get it in when we up in here
Women smellin' like cinnamon when she up in here
And haters, they pay the fee to get up in here
Meth and Doc, man these MC's don't want nothin here
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
(You don't wanna see me shine)
(Talkin' shit, on the low)
(Hate to see me in the sky)
(Flyin' high, high, high)
In the song "I Know Sumptn" by Method Man featuring Redman, the artists boast about their success, swag and their ability to have fun, while also warning their haters to steer clear. Method Man starts the song with an invitation, suggesting it's time for them to enter the club and make their presence felt. He talks about how he's feeling fly and on top of his game when he walks inside. He also makes references to popular culture such as NBA Live, Xxplosive by Dre, and even the popular rapper, A.I.
Continuing the party vibe, Redman joins in, celebrating their love for weed, women, and the Tupperware containers to put their stash in. He also makes a humorous reference to the 'team' and how joining can lead to winning but being put "under there". The song's refrain, "I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is", is essentially saying that Method Man and Redman know something, and their haters do not. It's a funny play on words that emphasizes their superiority and successful status.
The song's overall theme is about having a good time and living life to the fullest while ignoring the haters. It's an anthem for the confident people who aren't afraid to do what they want and be who they are, regardless of other people's opinions.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, ayo Meth
Hey, Meth, listen up
It's time we came in the motherfuckin club nigga
We need to make our presence known in the club
They gotta know we in the buildin' nigga, yeah!
We want everyone to be aware of our presence in the building
Y'all motherfuckers got like (damn)
You guys have a short amount of time
Two minutes to get to the motherfuckin bar nigga
You have two minutes to get to the bar
(Y'all already know the business nigga)
You already know what's up
Yo, I walk in pimpin' when I'm up in here
I walk in confidently when I'm in the club
Pulled up the G ride then I'm up in here
I arrived in my fancy car and entered the club
I ain't worried, I got mad mo' up his ear
I'm not worried because I have a lot of money
And my advice stay at bay like a buccaneer
I keep my advice to myself
I feel good when I walk inside
I feel good when I enter the club
All eyes on the bro that's NBA live
Everyone is looking at me like I'm a superstar
The A.I. of rap, these haters wan' try
I'm the best at what I do, but haters still try to bring me down
To shut me down but I, fly, high
They try to bring me down, but I continue to succeed
A hood fella always gotta keep somethin' close
I always keep something for protection as a hood guy
A gutter flow like mine, gotta let 'em know
My aggressive style of rapping shows my street roots
I'm Xxplosive like Dre, Next Episode
I'm explosive like Dr. Dre's music
Check my file baby, this is the mother-load
Look at my rap credentials, I'm the real deal
Take off your heels (yeah) and shake your hair (yeah)
Ladies, take off your high heels and let your hair down
A nigga like me weavin' through everywhere (yeah)
I can move around the club easily
I taste like new money, make it clear
I'm wealthy and it shows
Baby, tell your friends that we right here
Let your friends know we're here in the club
I know what sumptn is? You don't know what nuttin' is
I know what's going on, but you're clueless
(You don't wanna see me shine)
You don't want me to succeed
(Talkin' shit, on the low)
You're talking behind my back
(Hate to see me in the sky)
You don't like seeing me succeed
(Flyin' high, high, high)
I'm successful and doing well
Who them dudes smellin' like trees when we up in here?
Who's smoking weed in here?
Straight Gilla and Killa Bees when we up in here
We're real gangsters when we're in the club
Kush nigga, I keep the weed in the Tupperware
I have good weed stored away in Tupperware containers
Fuck security, V.I.P., we can puff in here
We don't care about security, we'll smoke in VIP
Niggas know how we do it (yeah) I ain't buyin' the bar (nah)
We do what we want, but I'm not paying for everyone's drinks
I'm tryin to talk her out her drawers, she tryin to charge
I'm trying to convince a woman to have sex with me, but she wants money
I ain't tryin to ball
I'm not trying to spend a lot of money
Don't spend no money in the club, if I said that I was I'd be lyin' to y'all
I'm not going to spend any money, and I'm not lying to you
I gotta have it, an addict, two and a puff and you'd rather hate us
I have an addiction to drugs, and you hate us for it
Discuss it, no more discussions, the head if the house
Let's talk about it, but no more arguing, I'm in charge here
Is now speakin', the food is ready for eatin'
I'm in charge now, and it's time to eat
Your head is ready for beatin', I'll kick your teeth in
I'll beat you up if you mess with me
Don't fuck with the couch
Don't mess with my furniture
You know a nigga black out off a couple beers
I get drunk easily
Smoke up an ounce, pass out like a couple years
I smoke a lot of weed and pass out for hours
And mami doin' her thing, she in her underwear
A woman is dancing in her underwear
You join the team and that win, I'll put you under there
If you join our crew, we'll make sure you're taken care of
Women smellin' like cinnamon when she up in here
The women in here smell good, like cinnamon
And haters, they pay the fee to get up in here
Even the haters are willing to pay to enter the club
Meth and Doc, man these MC's don't want nothin here
Me and Doc are the best, and no other MCs can compete
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, DELLA MUSIC PUBLISHING, LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jason Boyd, David Manzoor, Reggie Noble, Clifford Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind