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)
Meth Vs. Chef
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you want to fight, fight with me!
One to one! Man to man!
Get ready to gel team!
Live and direct from the one-six-ooh
We got Tical, pow! Raekwon the Chef, Tical!
It's about to go on, Tical!
It's all for all
Method Man, Raekwon the Chef (count my shells)
And there's about to be one left (count my shells, nigga)
I know you know it's on kid (Bring that shit I don't give a fuck!)
Who lit that shit it was I the chinky-eye
Cheeba-hawk from New York, Tical Staten Isle
Niggas thought, that they could walk a dog but they caught
A bad situation, 'cause I'm a sandwich short
Of a picnic, 'cause you ain't equipped with the sickening
Style, blowing up the spot like ballistic
Missiles, I be comin' through like the four-nine-three-eleven
Tearing up the power-you, Me-Tical
A bad motherfucking buddah monk, what the fuck
Hit your chest, like cardiac arrest, blow the front
Out the frame, hit the pussycat for the pain
Of the dog shit, nobody move run your garments
A rugged vet, terrible like a Champion sweat
Wrap a power in a tec, to wet
A nigga up, with all the dangerous diseases
Sniffling sneezing coughing aching stuffy head fever
Fucker, I think it's bout time that you suffer
Bobbin on my nob like an all day sucker
Bitch!
Meth Vs Chef
(It's my turn) Meth Vs Chef
(Yo let's bring that shit baby) Meth Vs Chef
(Yo, yeah, one more time nigga) Meth Vs Chef
(Callin" me out, it's goin' off) I blow your fuckin' ass to death
I'm goin' all out kid no turn backs
You could try to front, get smoked and that's that
Lyric assassin, dressed in black buggin'
Sixteen shots to your mug, from a slug then
I go to war in a concrete jungle, make the punt
'Cause niggas act funny, and fumble
But I relax, count my shells, a lot of heads gotta fly
Niggas stay strapped, armed to die
Time for jet-black Tim boot, flowin'
Wha'-Su God get him, hit 'em with the nine troop
No question, cha-cha-BLOW in the session
Bloodshot in that direction, cypher
'Tack you like chess moves best move
Yo, yeah, yo
The boards, your ass
'Tack, 'tack, 'tack, uh!
'Tack the boards like chess moves best move
At Rae through, comin' at your motherfuckin' crew
Live direct, yeah you better step
Gunshots ring on the set, let's jet
Motivate, to the gate
With some quick high Rae stay fly, and rob your Isle
Airwaves, yo behave
Now you're a slave with the boots that paved the way
Ah shit!
Chef Vs Meth Vs Meth
The lyrics of the song Meth Vs. Chef by Method Man and Raekwon the Chef are a battle cry for a rap duel. The two rappers challenge each other to a one-on-one duel where they will let their lyrics do the talking. They declare themselves worthy of a general in this duel and call upon their respective teams to get ready. The lyrics convey a sense of aggression and a desire to prove oneself as the superior lyricist. The use of metaphors like "blowing up the spot like ballistic missiles" and "lyric assassin, dressed in black buggin'" demonstrates the rappers' confidence in their skills.
The lyrics also convey a sense of territoriality and pride in their hometown of Staten Island. They use phrases like "live and direct from the one-six-ooh" and "Tical Staten Isle" to boast about their roots. The use of slang like "jacking for beats" also adds an authentic touch to the lyrics, making them relatable to a specific community.
Overall, the lyrics of Meth Vs. Chef are a declaration of confidence and a call for a rap duel to see who is the superior lyricist. The use of metaphors and slang adds an authentic touch, while the pride in their hometown of Staten Island is evident.
Line by Line Meaning
Duel, worthy of a general
Let's have a one-on-one battle with each other, as it would be a respected encounter.
If you want to fight, fight with me!
I am ready to fight anyone who wants to challenge me.
One to one! Man to man!
Let us fight each other alone, without interference from anyone else.
Get ready to gel team!
Prepare yourself to work together with your team.
Live and direct from the one-six-ooh
We are broadcasting live right now from this location.
We got Tical, pow! Raekwon the Chef, Tical!
We have Method Man and Raekwon the Chef here, they are ready to perform and show what they're made of.
It's about to go on, Tical!
Things are about to go down, Method Man is ready to start the performance.
You make the call, I make the call!
We can decide together or I can decide for us.
It's all for all
We are all in this together, and everyone will be involved in the performance.
Method Man, Raekwon the Chef (count my shells)
Both Method Man and Raekwon the Chef are here, and they are prepared to take on anyone who tries to challenge them.
And there's about to be one left (count my shells, nigga)
After the battle is over, only one person or team will remain standing victorious.
I know you know it's on kid (Bring that shit I don't give a fuck!)
I know you are aware of what's going on and that it's about to go down; I'm not afraid to face it head-on.
Who lit that shit it was I the chinky-eye
It was me who lit up that joint, my eyes are chinky from the smoke.
Cheeba-hawk from New York, Tical Staten Isle
I'm a marijuana enthusiast from New York, specifically from Staten Island.
Niggas thought, that they could walk a dog but they caught
Some people thought they could mess with me and take me down, but they were wrong.
A bad situation, 'cause I'm a sandwich short
They're in a bad position, because I'm slightly more prepared and they are not.
Of a picnic, 'cause you ain't equipped with the sickening
They are not ready, because they are not equipped with the skills and knowledge I possess.
Style, blowing up the spot like ballistic
My unique style is blowing up the spot, like bombs or missiles.
Missiles, I be comin' through like the four-nine-three-eleven
I will be coming through strong and fast, like a train or a locomotive.
Tearing up the power-you, Me-Tical
I am going to tear down everything that opposes me, with the help of Method Man.
A bad motherfucking buddah monk, what the fuck
I am a skilled and dangerous fighter, and I am not to be taken lightly.
Hit your chest, like cardiac arrest, blow the front
I'll hit you so hard that it will feel like you are having a heart attack; you'll feel the impact immediately.
Out the frame, hit the pussycat for the pain
I'll hit you so hard that you'll feel pain all over your body, and your team will be affected as well.
Of the dog shit, nobody move run your garments
Things are about to get messy, and nobody should attempt to intervene or run away.
A rugged vet, terrible like a Champion sweat
I'm an experienced fighter, and I'm just as powerful and intimidating as a Champion boxer.
Wrap a power in a tec, to wet
I am wrapping my skills and experience into this performance, and I will impress everyone watching.
A nigga up, with all the dangerous diseases
Nobody will be safe from my onslaught, as I possess all the necessary skills needed to attack and defend myself.
Sniffling sneezing coughing aching stuffy head fever
I'm going to make their lives extremely difficult, as if they were experiencing allergies or an illness.
Fucker, I think it's bout time that you suffer
It's time for them to feel pain and to suffer the consequences of their actions.
Bobbin on my nob like an all day sucker
They are trying to take me down, but they are only wasting their time and energy.
Meth Vs Chef
It's Method Man versus Raekwon the Chef; let the battle begin.
(It's my turn) Meth Vs Chef
It's my turn to show off my skills and defeat Raekwon the Chef.
(Yo let's bring that shit baby) Meth Vs Chef
Let's bring our A-game and put on an entertaining show for everyone watching.
(Yo, yeah, one more time nigga) Meth Vs Chef
Let's do it again, one more time, and make it even better than before.
(Callin" me out, it's goin' off) I blow your fuckin' ass to death
If anyone dares to challenge me, I will destroy them completely.
I'm goin' all out kid no turn backs
I'm not holding anything back, and I'm fully committed to this battle.
You could try to front, get smoked and that's that
If you try to act tough or put up a fight, you're just going to end up getting defeated easily.
Lyric assassin, dressed in black buggin'
I'm a master of rhymes and lyrics, dressed in all black and ready to take on anyone.
Sixteen shots to your mug, from a slug then
I'm not just talking about rhymes and lyrics, I also know how to handle a gun and take down my opponents.
I go to war in a concrete jungle, make the punt
I'm prepared to go to war, even if it's in a harsh and unwelcoming environment.
'Cause niggas act funny, and fumble
Some people are acting suspiciously and are not to be trusted during this battle.
But I relax, count my shells, a lot of heads gotta fly
Despite the chaos and danger, I remain calm and focused, and I know that many enemies will be defeated.
Niggas stay strapped, armed to die
My opponents are prepared with weapons and are fully committed to this battle, even if it means their own demise.
Time for jet-black Tim boot, flowin'
I'm wearing my jet-black Timberland boots and ready to perform and show off my skills.
Wha'-Su God get him, hit 'em with the nine troop
I'm calling upon God for strength and power, and I'm using my skills and expertise to take down my opponents.
No question, cha-cha-BLOW in the session
There's no doubt that I'm going to impress everyone watching and blow people away with my skills.
Bloodshot in that direction, cypher
There's going to be violence and chaos happening all around us, but we're going to keep the performance going and impress everyone watching.
'Tack you like chess moves best move
I'm going to attack my opponent strategically and smartly, like a chess player.
Yo, yeah, yo
I'm feeling confident and ready to take on anyone who challenges me.
The boards, your ass
I'm going to take you down and defeat you handily.
'Tack, 'tack, 'tack, uh!
I'm going to attack and hit you repeatedly, until you're down for the count.
'Tack the boards like chess moves best move
I'm going to keep attacking you over and over again, just like a chess player would keep making moves to try and win.
At Rae through, comin' at your motherfuckin' crew
I'm going to attack Raekwon the Chef and his entire crew, and take them down one by one.
Live direct, yeah you better step
We're broadcasting this performance live, and anyone who wants to challenge us better be ready to bring their A-game.
Gunshots ring on the set, let's jet
There will be gunfights and violence, but we're going to keep the performance going and impress everyone watching.
Motivate, to the gate
We're all motivated and ready to perform and show off our skills to the world.
With some quick high Rae stay fly, and rob your Isle
Raekwon the Chef is going to quickly and expertly take down his opponents, and make sure everyone knows he dominated them.
Airwaves, yo behave
We're broadcasting this performance over the airwaves, and everything needs to be done professionally and masterfully.
Now you're a slave with the boots that paved the way
We're going to take down our opponents and make them our slaves; they'll know that we're the ones who are leading the way.
Ah shit!
We're not afraid of anyone, and we're ready to take on anyone who challenges us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, COREY WOODS, ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind