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)
Konichiwa Bitches
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Konichiwa bitches"
(Method Man)
What up, what up, these niggaz suck
They can't hold a fort, better hold that thought, B.
If I can't get it off, see my attitude is MSG
Fuck it, I'm salty, the game been loss me
Hey Carlton Fisk, nigga, pass the nine, who wanna cross me, now?
And put my body in the lost and found
You with the business, then bust off a round
It's like the passions of Christ, get crucified just for having that ice
And the audacity for having that life, while niggaz starving & shit
The main reason they be robbing and shit
The same reason you've been targeted bitch (these niggaz must of forgot)
The thin line between a hoe and a trick
Give 'em the clip between the four and the fifth (yea, motherfucker I'm high)
There I go again, blowing a spliff
When I exhale, it's like I'm blowing a kiss (konichiwa bitches)
(Chorus: Method Man)
N.Y.C., is all I see
O.D.B., nigga, R.I.P. (konichiwa bitches)
This Killa Beez on ya M.I.C.
You want it all, well then y'all like me (konichiwa bitches)
Come on, come on, I think they playing my song
I came to blow them out the frame, and I'm gone (konichiwa bitches)
M-E-T, to the H-O-D
Why motherfuckers wanna hate on me? (konichiwa bitches)
(Method Man)
For every rhyme, there's a hair on my chest
Scared of the Man, you should be scared of the Meth
Now every damn that I drop, is homicidal, that could dare to be done
There's no survival, now who care to be next? (if you don't know me by now)
Know where the borough is, doing it for
The most thoroughest, you doing the most, pa
The French call it "forpa" when fucking with son, the odds a hundred to none
Too many flavors, y'all ain't fucking with one
It's getting deep, see the plot thicker
No place to be, if you bi-atch, nigga
Outside the Clan, we always got RZA
I put it down, like I don't give a
One in the head, I bet he don't get up, we drinking malt liquor
Out of your Benz, just to talk slicker
Then paint a scene that you can all picture
You going in? Well, let me walk with cha
It's Method Man, but for short Mr., Mef (konichiwa bitches)
(Chorus)
(Hook 4X)
The lyrics of Method Man's song Konichiwa Bitches depict his unapologetic personality and his rap skills, mixed with a little bit of humor. The hook, borrowed from GZA’s song “Beneath the Surface,” sets the tone of the song, bringing the new and the old-school together with a touch of Japanese culture. The opening verse is an attack on the inability of other rappers, who he thinks suck and can't hold a fort. He then compares his attitude to mono sodium glutamate (MSG), a food flavor enhancer that is known to be salty. He is saying that his words are so flavorful (truthful) that they might come off as a bit salty to some. He wonders why people may think he's past his prime, which is like "acting like Carlton Fisk," a former major league baseball player, who he says needs to pass him (give him) the nine because he will cross any who try to challenge him on the mic. He then talks about people starving and how they resort to robbery, which is the reason for the targeting of some individuals. He ultimately tells his haters that he's not going to change and they can still kiss his ass, hence the line, "when I exhale, it's like I'm blowing a kiss (konichiwa bitches)."
The chorus has Method Man displaying his love for his city, New York, and also paying homage to Ol' Dirty Bastard (ODB), a fellow Wu-Tang Clan rapper, who had passed away in 2004. He then references the group’s moniker, Killa Beez, and how they are taking over the microphone with their unique sound. In the last line, he rhetorically asks why people hate on him.
In the second verse, Method Man talks about how he has hair on his chest, signifying his masculinity, and how people should be afraid of him instead of being scared of "the Man." He also references his murderous lyrics, challenges other rappers to try and make better rhymes, and reminds them that the Wu-Tang Clan is the most thorough rap group. He also throws in a reference to the French term "forpa" as a reminder of his skill, which means "in force" or "strongly." He then tells his haters that they are not on his level, describes a vivid scene, and ends the verse with his nickname Mef.
Line by Line Meaning
Konichiwa bitches
Greetings, women
What up, what up, these niggaz suck
Hello, these men are not good at what they do
They can't hold a fort, better hold that thought, B.
They are unable to defend what they believe in, better think twice, friend
If I can't get it off, see my attitude is MSG
If I cannot express myself, my temperament becomes like Mono Sodium Glutamate
Fuck it, I'm salty, the game been loss me
Forget it, I'm upset, I lost the game
Pay ya dues, it cost me, who acting like I'm past my prime
I paid the price to be where I am, who thinks I am not at my best anymore?
Hey Carlton Fisk, nigga, pass the nine, who wanna cross me, now?
Hey Carlton Fisk, man, give me the gun, who wants to challenge me now?
And put my body in the lost and found
And misplace my body
You with the business, then bust off a round
If you are serious about taking action, then shoot
It's like the passions of Christ, get crucified just for having that ice
It's like the sufferings of Jesus, to be punished just for wearing jewelry
And the audacity for having that life, while niggaz starving & shit
And the nerve to live that life, while people are struggling
The main reason they be robbing and shit
The most common reason why people steal
The same reason you've been targeted bitch (these niggaz must of forgot)
The same reason why you are a victim, these men must have forgotten
The thin line between a hoe and a trick
The subtle difference between a prostitute and a deceiver
Give 'em the clip between the four and the fifth (yea, motherfucker I'm high)
Shoot them with the gun that has four or five bullets (yeah, I'm intoxicated)
There I go again, blowing a spliff
There I am again, smoking a joint
When I exhale, it's like I'm blowing a kiss (konichiwa bitches)
When I breathe out, it's like I'm sending a greeting to the women
N.Y.C., is all I see
I only see New York City
O.D.B., nigga, R.I.P. (konichiwa bitches)
Rest in peace, Ol' Dirty Bastard, greetings women
This Killa Beez on ya M.I.C.
This hip-hop group called Killa Beez is holding your microphone
You want it all, well then y'all like me (konichiwa bitches)
You want everything, then you are like me (greetings women)
I came to blow them out the frame, and I'm gone (konichiwa bitches)
I came to impress them and leave, greetings women
M-E-T, to the H-O-D
Method Man and Hanz On Demand (his production company)
Why motherfuckers wanna hate on me? (konichiwa bitches)
Why do people want to dislike me? (greetings women)
For every rhyme, there's a hair on my chest
Every time I write a song, my chest gets hairier
Scared of the Man, you should be scared of the Meth
Afraid of authority, you should be afraid of the Meth (Method Man)
Now every damn that I drop, is homicidal, that could dare to be done
Now every song that I release is violent, that could be imitated
There's no survival, now who care to be next? (if you don't know me by now)
There's no escape, who wants to challenge me now? (if you are not familiar with me already)
Know where the borough is, doing it for
Know the area where I am from, doing it for
The most thoroughest, you doing the most, pa
The most extreme, you are doing too much, friend
The French call it "forpa" when fucking with son, the odds a hundred to none
The French call it "faux pas" when messing with him, the chances are slim
Too many flavors, y'all ain't fucking with one
Too many options, you cannot handle just one
It's getting deep, see the plot thicker
It's getting complicated, notice the conspiracy
No place to be, if you bi-atch, nigga
Nowhere to go, if you are a bitch, man
Outside the Clan, we always got RZA
Outside our group, we always have RZA
I put it down, like I don't give a
I perform with confidence and fearlessness
One in the head, I bet he don't get up, we drinking malt liquor
A bullet in the chamber, I bet he won't stand up, we are drinking cheap beer
Out of your Benz, just to talk slicker
Out of your Mercedes car, just to speak arrogantly
Then paint a scene that you can all picture
Then describe a situation that you can all visualize
You going in? Well, let me walk with cha
You are entering? Well, let me join you
It's Method Man, but for short Mr., Mef (konichiwa bitches)
It's Method Man, but you can call me Mr. Mef (greetings women)
Konichiwa bitches
Greetings, women
Contributed by Madison N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.