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)
Know Your Role
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
I smell it
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
I smell it
Come on, come on
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
Yo, finally The Rock has come back
Layin down the smack on your monkey crap candy coated ass
Enter the squared circle with the Great One
Most electrifying moves, don't change the station
Children and their children, they all chant
With the millions upon millions of Rock's fans
Get ready for the square dance, here's your chance
For a can of ass whooping, from the People's Champ
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
Jabroni, check yourself, you don't know me
Jabroni, go back to the gym, you're too bony
So you want a piece of The Rock? Make you crumble
In these Wrestlemanias, kid, we Royal Rumble
Telling us that Raw is War, what the hell you think we came for?
Just to play with these whips and chainsaws? And sharp glass
I'll shine them up real nice, turn them sideways,
and shove them up your candy ass
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
Yo, yo, this is it y'all, Summer Slam, Summer Sam'd out
It's Thursday Night Smackdown, there's No Way Out
Now you got a problem, with the Brahma Bull
Time to throw Rock Bottom
Ain't no way to stop him
See the People's Eyebrow, ignite the crowd
into a feeding frenzy, they want blood now
Chinlock and chair shots, suplexes, legdrops
Finish with the People's Elbow and sign it Rock
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
The lyrics to Method Man's song "Know Your Role" are a collaboration with wrestler and actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The song is inspired by the world of professional wrestling and its entertaining rivalry between wrestlers. In the song, Method Man and The Rock trade lyrics that boast about their respective prowess in the squared circle, using wrestling terminology such as "smackdown," "Royal Rumble," and "People's Elbow."
The lyrics are a combination of The Rock's catchphrases and Method Man's signature style. The two complement each other, with The Rock's larger-than-life personality and Method Man's smooth flow creating a unique sound. The lyrics showcase the appeal of wrestling and the larger-than-life personas that wrestlers adopt in order to capture the audience's attention.
Overall, "Know Your Role" is a fun collaboration between two different worlds - hip hop and wrestling. The lyrics are catchy and memorable, and the song serves as a tribute to the theatrical and entertaining world of professional wrestling.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, finally The Rock has come back
Layin down the smack on your monkey crap candy coated ass
Enter the squared circle with the Great One
Most electrifying moves, don't change the station
Children and their children, they all chant
With the millions upon millions of Rock's fans
Get ready for the square dance, here's your chance
For a can of ass whooping, from the People's Champ
The Rock has returned to the squared circle and is bringing his signature moves to defeat his opponents. His fans are chanting and ready for action. The Rock is confident in his ability to win and is inviting his opponents to receive a beating from the People's Champ.
Jabroni, check yourself, you don't know me
Jabroni, go back to the gym, you're too bony
So you want a piece of The Rock? Make you crumble
In these Wrestlemanias, kid, we Royal Rumble
Telling us that Raw is War, what the hell you think we came for?
Just to play with these whips and chainsaws? And sharp glass
I'll shine them up real nice, turn them sideways,
and shove them up your candy ass
The Rock is calling out his opponents and telling them to check themselves before they challenge him. He is mocking their physical appearance and is confident that he can make them crumble in the ring. He questions why they even bother showing up to Raw is War and implies they enjoy playing with dangerous weapons, which he can turn against them and ultimately defeat them with ease.
Yo, yo, this is it y'all, Summer Slam, Summer Sam'd out
It's Thursday Night Smackdown, there's No Way Out
Now you got a problem, with the Brahma Bull
Time to throw Rock Bottom
Ain't no way to stop him
See the People's Eyebrow, ignite the crowd
into a feeding frenzy, they want blood now
Chinlock and chair shots, suplexes, legdrops
Finish with the People's Elbow and sign it Rock
The Rock is announcing upcoming WWE events and is warning his opponents that they have a problem with him, the Brahma Bull. He is confident in his signature moves and knows that his fans are ready to see blood in the ring. The Rock describes his moves in detail and confidently states that he will end each match with his signature move, the People's Elbow.
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
The Rock is asking his opponents and fans to acknowledge and recognize his power and ability in the ring.
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Morbid Fayde
The best rock theme bu far. Why he didn't use this more, especially if he could've had a wrestlemania wu tang entrance, is beyond me
CJ Da Ghozt
They drop the ball on that one..... He still can use this joint☺️
Karl
17 years and still a banger
Marta Livia
Ghh
Jose Heredia
Karl hell yeah
Brooklynboi Productions
CynicallyObnoxious RZA has a thicker NY accent
Mark
yes mate
Jerrel28
Still a classic, I was in middle school when this came out. Everyone had that WWF Aggression album.
Cloud Strife
He went in on this song HARD af!! Shout out to The Rock and Method Man!!! god bless
Brendan M
Don't care how old this song is, music is timeless and this shit is DOPE!! Too many peeps always worried about what's new and what's not. This shits better than any of the albums in 2017