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)
Play 4 Keeps
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One time
Yo
Never liked son from day one bring you tool
That nigga stick you and play dumb hate a bitch ass
Who care where you came from you ain't prepared
For when the pain come this nigga scared shook to death
To do you somethin over here we head huntin
In the function I smell fear, adrenaline start pumpin
I Smash Pumpkins, Hard Rock be in the Cafe
Tear the club up, and anyone that try to judge us
The last days, makin sure I get the last say
In the food chain, is you predator or prey?
If you featherweight, lyrics blow your back
Crack your vertabrae, lookin for a better way
To get my point across, thoughts accelerate
At the same speed, of the murder rate
Lord, never perpetrate a fraud, til my nigga Carlton Fisk
See the boss, truly yours, Mr. Meth
Life's a snippet, one way ticket
Time tickin fast, blink you might miss it
Semen on Street shit, you might catch fifty stitches
Body bag sprayed up, buried in muddy ditches
I play for keeps, bust heat you catch cold feet
My rap sheet, speak for itself, concrete
Evident, Killa Hill, resident, double dart agent
Secret intelligent my rap style's flagrant
Feel the sting of a killa bee, Johnny Blaze
Street Life, Deck and Mobb Deep, Play IV Keeps
In the city that you never sleep, pay attention
Ain't no shittin when you gotta eat, we hold it down
I move like Mad Max 'cross the wasteland
One hand holds the head of the last brave man
Made man, Cuban Link chain of command
Authorized fam', hot like Sahara sand
My live team turn the club to a crime scene
High beams flash, promoters die behind CREAM
Get your face blown, might face the chrome
We take this more serious than just a poem
I think about a lot of shit, especially when I'm bent
About the foul shit goin on in my life, current event
It's evident I smoke ciggarette down to Brownsville
Thinkin to myself -- how many lives must my pound kill?
Hopefully none, ain't the one to give chase
Hemmed by Jake, worryin who might turn state's
So I chill, put my killa niggaz on the battlefield
On the low plottin silent murderer, never doubt still
Never follow beef hey beef follow me
Want to settle in the court I say settle in the streets
Like our pops did it, you got gats get hot with it
Now you dry snitchin, because you got knocked with it
I just rock with it, go with the flow, think for a hot minute
Stash my dough secure the funds of profit
Yo, extreme rhyme niggaz, you wastin your time
Fuckin with my niggaz, extraordinary line swishin
Your mind out position, tryin to figure this shit
Rewind it and listen quick, you might miss this
Olympic, rap jave-lon, travel beyond, your weak song
Doin this for too long, to not come strong
You're only a pawn of Viet Dong
Tryin to form against mines, you musta just been born
Secluded on a distant farm
This is the real world, where niggaz get shot and shanked
Where there's tremendous pain, you get your frame inflamed
Crushed to dust, by the next man's clutch
It's Infamous you fucks, intense bad luck
Stand strong on our two feet, we all ready
For a war here, fuck peace, what?
Stand strong on our two feet, we all ready
For a war here, fuck peace, peace
The song "Play IV Keeps" by Method Man featuring Inspectah Deck, Streetlife, and Mobb Deep is a hardcore hip hop track with a bleak outlook on life. The lyrics describe the brutal street life and the struggles of young black men in a society that doesn't care about them. The song highlights the constant fear, the adrenaline rush, and the street smarts required to survive in the face of danger.
The first verse describes the violent nature of some people and how they prey on others. The second verse talks about the fleeting nature of life, and how quickly it can be taken away, while the third verse talks about the importance of standing one's ground and being prepared for any situation. The chorus emphasizes that it is necessary to be ready to fight and protect oneself because there is no peace in the world.
The song has a dark tone and a powerful beat that reflects the harsh realities of life in the streets. The lyrics are full of references to violence and drug dealing, which are realities that many young black men face every day. The song is a message to those who are struggling to stay alive and keep their heads above water: keep fighting.
Line by Line Meaning
Never liked son from day one bring you tool
From the very beginning, I didn't like this person and would bring my weapon if I saw them around. This individual would harm you and pretend to be innocent. I despise people who act like that.
That nigga stick you and play dumb hate a bitch ass
This individual will stab you and act ignorant about it. I despise him and his cowardly nature.
Who care where you came from you ain't prepared
I don't care about someone's origin or background; what matters is whether he can handle the pain and suffering that comes with this life.
For when the pain come this nigga scared shook to death
When this person experiences pain and difficulty, he is terrified and trembles uncontrollably.
From a cold stare stuntin knowin my brothers fiend
With a blank expression, I intimidate my rivals while my allies eagerly anticipate their chance to harm them.
To do you somethin over here we head huntin
I am always looking for new targets to harm, and my associates are eager to assist me.
In the function I smell fear, adrenaline start pumpin
When I'm around, I can sense fear in others. My prescence activates the fight-or-flight response.
I Smash Pumpkins, Hard Rock be in the Cafe
When I enter a club, I wreak havoc and instigate chaos.
Tear the club up, and anyone that try to judge us
I destroy the club's interior and harm anyone who opposes us.
The last days, makin sure I get the last say
In these final times, I will ensure that my message is the last one uttered.
In the food chain, is you predator or prey?
Within this hierarchy, are you the one who hunts, or the one who gets hunted?
If you featherweight, lyrics blow your back
If you're weak, my words will figuratively break your back.
Crack your vertabrae, lookin for a better way
I am searching for a better way to articulate my point, and doing so with force.
At the same speed, of the murder rate
My thoughts flow and evolve at the same rate as the frequency of killings.
Lord, never perpetrate a fraud, til my nigga Carlton Fisk
My rhymes are always truthful, and I won't deceive my audience like Carlton Fisk would.
See the boss, truly yours, Mr. Meth
I am the boss and leader of this group, signed sincerely, Mr. Meth.
Life's a snippet, one way ticket
Life is an ephemeral journey that has only one destination and no return ticket.
Time tickin fast, blink you might miss it
Time flies quickly, and one minute you're awake, the next you're asleep, and you missed precious moments.
Semen on Street shit, you might catch fifty stitches
If you engage in confrontational behavior, you may get badly injured and require many stitches to heal.
Body bag sprayed up, buried in muddy ditches
If you're involved in the street life, there's a good chance that you'll end up dead and buried in an unmarked grave.
I play for keeps, bust heat you catch cold feet
I play seriously, and if you get in my way, you will back out at the first inconvenience.
My rap sheet, speak for itself, concrete
My accomplishments as a rapper and the legacy I've created speak for themselves and are unchanging.
Evident, Killa Hill, resident, double dart agent
It's common knowledge that I'm from the Killa Hill, and I'm a skilled agent who accurately hits his target twice.
Secret intelligent my rap style's flagrant
My rapping is intelligent and well thought out, but also disrespectful and bold.
Feel the sting of a killa bee, Johnny Blaze
You'll know what it feels like to be harmed by a Killa Bee and feel the burn of the famous Johnny Blaze.
Street Life, Deck and Mobb Deep, Play IV Keeps
I team up with Street Life, Deck, and Mobb Deep to show we're not to be played with and to keep our grandeur intact.
In the city that you never sleep, pay attention
In this bustling metropolis, where people never rest, always be watchful and observant.
Ain't no shittin when you gotta eat, we hold it down
When life is tough, we remain steadfast and make sure that we secure our wellbeing.
I move like Mad Max 'cross the wasteland
Just as Mad Max traversed a post-apocalyptic desert, I move quickly and efficiently through this dangerous urban landscape.
One hand holds the head of the last brave man
I am always prepared for battle and could probably behead the last brave man with ease.
Made man, Cuban Link chain of command
My reputation and position have been established, and I'm at the top of the chain with my luxury Cuban Link chain.
Authorized fam', hot like Sahara sand
My family and associates have been vetted and approved, and we're always bringing the heat just like the Sahara Desert.
My live team turn the club to a crime scene
My crew causes chaos in the club and leaves everything in a shambles hastily.
High beams flash, promoters die behind CREAM
The high beams of our cars flash police sirens, prompting club promoters to flee, who often end up getting killed behind the source of our riches -Cash Rules Everything Around Me (CREAM).
Get your face blown, might face the chrome
If you don't watch your mouth, you might get shot in the face, which is the fate of those facing a gun barrel.
We take this more serious than just a poem
This is no casual matter for us; we take these situations very seriously and prepare accordingly.
I think about a lot of shit, especially when I'm bent
I contemplate many things in my life, particularly when I've had much to drink or indulge in other substances.
About the foul shit goin on in my life, current event
I ponder the various awful things occurring in my life, which are like ongoing news stories.
It's evident I smoke cigarette down to Brownsville
It's clear that I smoke cigarettes, and I'm willing to smoke them all the way down to Brownsville.
Thinkin to myself -- how many lives must my pound kill?
I constantly wonder how many people my gun has killed and will continue to kill.
Hopefully none, ain't the one to give chase
I hope I've never killed anyone and I don't chase after people to harm them.
Hemmed by Jake, worryin who might turn state's
If the police catch me, I'll be cornered and concerned about who might collaborate with them.
So I chill, put my killa niggaz on the battlefield
To stay calm, I send my lethal associates into the fray.
On the low plottin silent murderer, never doubt still
Even when I'm quiet and apparently idle, I'm still plotting acts of violence and aggression.
Never follow beef hey beef follow me
I don't get drawn into conflict; it's the other way around, and trouble finds me.
Want to settle in the court I say settle in the streets
If people want to sort out their problems, I suggest they do so outside of the legal system and on the streets instead.
Like our pops did it, you got gats get hot with it
As our ancestors did, if you have guns, you must be prepared to use them.
Now you dry snitchin, because you got knocked with it
Now, you're ratting out our crimes because you got caught and couldn't face the consequences.
I just rock with it, go with the flow, think for a hot minute
I adapt to changing circumstances, go with the flow, but stay sharp and think through it quickly.
Stash my dough secure the funds of profit
I store my money away safely and ensure that my business is profitable.
Yo, extreme rhyme niggaz, you wastin your time
This is directed at rappers with subpar skills: you're wasting your time trying to compete with me and others like me.
Fuckin with my niggaz, extraordinary line swishin
When you cross me and my associates, I will hit you with incredible lines that will leave you reeling.
Your mind out position, tryin to figure this shit
Your grip on reality is slipping as you try to understand the chaos we've created.
Rewind it and listen quick, you might miss this
You need to pay close attention and listen carefully, or you might miss the message or the subtlety.
Olympic, rap jave-lon, travel beyond, your weak song
I am the best of the best, with the stamina and skill needed to go the distance and defeat your weak attempts at rap songs.
Doin this for too long, to not come strong
I've been doing this for too long to give anything less than my best effort.
You're only a pawn of Viet Dong
You're just a low-level pawn in the game that the Vietcong are playing.
Tryin to form against mines, you musta just been born
If you think you can compete against me, it only means you're new to this game and inexperienced.
Secluded on a distant farm
You're in a faraway location, isolated from everything else.
This is the real world, where niggaz get shot and shanked
This isn't some imaginary or fictional construct: this is the real world where people get shot and stabbed.
Where there's tremendous pain, you get your frame inflamed
When you're in physical agony, it can cause inflammation in your body.
Crushed to dust, by the next man's clutch
The next man will defeat you and dismantle everything you've built.
It's Infamous you fucks, intense bad luck
Our reputation precedes us, you're in for a world of hurt and misfortune when you mess with us.
Stand strong on our two feet, we all ready
We stand confidently on our own two feet, strengthened by the bonds between us.
For a war here, fuck peace, what?
We are prepared for battle and aggression, and reject the idea of peace - what is that meant to do for us?
Stand strong on our two feet, we all ready
Once again, we stand confidently and a confrontation isn't a problem for us.
For a war here, fuck peace, peace
Once again, we express our lack of interest in the concept of peace.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Albert Johnson, Clifford Smith, Jason Hunter, Kejuan Waliek Muchita, Patrick Charles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind