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)
Raw Hide
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want action, that's what I need
I never put doubt in my mind
Cause I know when I touch the mic there's the rhyme
See murder which is caused
When you fuck with the negative and positive charge
Then they came up, out my garage
With the hit that's gonna be large
Niggas I know, be runnin around with mad fuckin cash
Who the fuck wanna be an emcee
If you can't get paid, to be a fuckin emcee?
I came out my momma pussy I'm on welfare
Twenty-six years old still on welfare!
So I gotta get paid fully
Whether it's truthfully or untruthfully
With my boston bloodthirsty process
P-e-a-c-e
Move em in move em in
Move em out move em out
Stick it up raw hide!
Yea, gotta come back to attack
Killin' niggas who said they got stacks, cause I don't give a fuck
I wanna see blood, whether it's period blood
Or bustin' your fuckin' face, some blood!!
I'm goin' out my fuckin' mind!
Every time I get around devils
Let me calm down, you niggas better start runnin'
Cause I'm comin', I'm dope like fuckin heroin
Wu-tang bloodkin', a goblin, who come tough like lambskin
Imagine, gettin 'shot up with ol dirty insulin
You bound to catch aids or somethin'
Not sayin' I got it, but nigga if I got it you got it!
What
Yo, check the bulletproof fly shit, strong like thai stick
Then I'll remain to tear your frame, while I freaks it
Like some fly new sneaks and shit
Now eat my shit, bitch tried to creep and got hit
Now regulate, and I'll be out to set up a date
Wu-tang, is bangin' like a ron g tape
Rza pump the shit just like a shotty
Watch me run it john gotti
Collidin' on the track, like gin and watty
Check the calender, I warn any challenger
To step up feel the blast from the silencer
Move em in move em in
Move em out move em out
Stick it up raw hide!
Comin' soon to a theatre near you it be the wu
Yeah find yourself in the square and see it's true
Actual facts to snack on and chew
My positive energy sounds peace to you
A wise man killed one horse and made glue
Wicked women puttin' period blood in stew
Don't that make the stew witches brew?
I fear for the eighty-five that don't got a clue
How could he know what the fuck he never knew?
God-cypher-divine come to show and come to prove
A mystery god that's the work of yacub
The holy ghost got you scared to death kid boo
In Method Man's song "Raw Hide", he talks about his desire for action, and how he never puts doubt in his mind because he has complete confidence in his ability as a lyricist. He describes "see murder" as what happens when positive and negative energy comes together, and he knows that the hit song he has made with his team will be huge. He expresses his frustration that despite being a talented emcee, he is still poor and on welfare. He has to get paid, and it doesn't matter whether it's "truthfully or untruthfully". Method Man then goes into a violent rant, expressing his desire to see blood and his frustration with those who claim to have stacks of cash.
Later in the song, Method Man describes his ability to tear apart anyone who messes with him, using his "bulletproof fly shit" and comparing himself to strong Thai stick. He then warns anyone who dares to challenge him to feel the blast from the silencer. The song ends with Method Man name-checking the Wu-Tang Clan and a warning to the eighty-five percent of people who don't have a clue about what's really going on.
The lyrics in "Raw Hide" are filled with slang, references, and metaphors that could easily go over someone's head, making it difficult to fully understand their meaning. Method Man's delivery, flow, and use of profanity all add to the aggression and confrontational nature of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a crossbreed, I'm a knowledge seed
You come from mixed heritage while I come from a strong lineage of knowledge
I want action, that's what I need
I want to be active and successful in my endeavors
I never put doubt in my mind
I remain confident in my abilities
Cause I know when I touch the mic there's the rhyme
I have complete faith in my ability to perform when I'm on the mic
See murder which is caused
The negative and positive charges of a situation coinciding causing a chaotic event
When you fuck with the negative and positive charge
If you mess with something with a delicate balance of good and bad elements, the outcome might be catastrophic
Then they came up, out my garage
The hit song was formed in a humble location
With the hit that's gonna be large
The song is going to be a massive hit
Tired of sittin on my fuckin ass
I am no longer content with idling
Niggas I know, be runnin around with mad fuckin cash
People I know are running around with lots of money
Who the fuck wanna be an emcee
Why would anyone aspire to be an emcee?
If you can't get paid, to be a fuckin emcee?
Being an emcee is only worthwhile if it's lucrative
I came out my momma pussy I'm on welfare
I was born poor and still live off of government assistance
Twenty-six years old still on welfare!
Despite being an adult, I am still reliant on welfare assistance
So I gotta get paid fully
I need to be paid a fair amount for my work
Whether it's truthfully or untruthfully
I don't care how I get paid, as long as I do
With my boston bloodthirsty process
My aggressive approach to making money is a part of my personality, influenced by my hometown of Boston
P-e-a-c-e
I say peace to emphasize the irony of my aggressive attitude
Move em in move em in
I'm preparing to take over and succeed
Move em out move em out
I'm clearing the way for my success
Stick it up raw hide!
This is a warning to those who stand in my way- I will come at them fiercely
Yea, gotta come back to attack
I need to reassert myself and take what's mine
Killin' niggas who said they got stacks, cause I don't give a fuck
I'm willing to kill those who claim to be successful because I don't care
I wanna see blood, whether it's period blood
I'm so angry that I want to see anyone's blood, even if it's menstrual blood
Or bustin' your fuckin' face, some blood!!
I'll even harm someone physically to see blood and prove my point
I'm goin' out my fuckin' mind!
I'm losing control of myself
Every time I get around devils
Whenever I'm around bad influences
Let me calm down, you niggas better start runnin'
I need to relax, but those around me should be afraid
Cause I'm comin', I'm dope like fuckin heroin
I'm coming fast and strong, just like heroin
Wu-tang bloodkin', a goblin, who come tough like lambskin
I'm tough like a goblin, and part of the Wu-tang clan
Imagine, gettin 'shot up with ol dirty insulin
Being injected with dirty insulin would be incredibly dangerous
You bound to catch aids or somethin'
You're almost guaranteed to get sick or hurt
Not sayin' I got it, but nigga if I got it you got it!
I'm not saying I have HIV, but if I did, you'd probably get it too
Yo, check the bulletproof fly shit, strong like thai stick
My abilities are strong, just like bulletproof or high-end items
Then I'll remain to tear your frame, while I freaks it
I will continue to destroy you while I'm at it
Like some fly new sneaks and shit
Like a brand new pair of dope shoes
Now eat my shit, bitch tried to creep and got hit
That person tried to mess with me and paid for it
Now regulate, and I'll be out to set up a date
I'll take control and create a situation that works for me
Wu-tang, is bangin' like a ron g tape
The Wu-tang clan is making noise like a Ron G mixtape
Rza pump the shit just like a shotty
Rza is making things happen, just like a shotgun
Watch me run it john gotti
I'm running things like John Gotti ran the mob
Collidin' on the track, like gin and watty
I'm bringing the heat and clashing with others like mixing gin and whiskey
Check the calender, I warn any challenger
Be prepared, because I will destroy anyone who challenges me
To step up feel the blast from the silencer
If someone dares to confront me, they will face serious consequences
Comin' soon to a theatre near you it be the wu
The Wu-tang clan will soon make a powerful appearance
Yeah find yourself in the square and see it's true
Be there to witness it for yourself and see that it is real
Actual facts to snack on and chew
Real information that you can digest and think about
My positive energy sounds peace to you
I may sound aggressive, but at my core I am a peaceful person
A wise man killed one horse and made glue
Even something that may seem like a loss can be turned into something worthwhile
Wicked women puttin' period blood in stew
Some women perform evil acts, like putting menstrual blood in food
Don't that make the stew witches brew?
This transforms the stew into a potion, like those made by witches
I fear for the eighty-five that don't got a clue
I am worried about those who lack knowledge and understanding
How could he know what the fuck he never knew?
Someone cannot understand something they are unaware of
God-cypher-divine come to show and come to prove
God, his workings, and his powers will be demonstrated and proven
A mystery god that's the work of yacub
A higher power that is hard to understand, created by the deity Yacub
The holy ghost got you scared to death kid boo
Faith can scare people into behaving a certain way
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Russell Jones, Robert Diggs, Corey Woods, Clifford Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Merchantsmith Images
"Yo, check the bulletproof fly shit, strong like thai stick
Then I'll remain to tear your frame, while I freaks it
Like some fly new sneaks and shit
Now eat my shit, bitch tried to creep and got hit
Now regulate, and I'll be out to set up a date
Wu-tang, is bangin' like a ron g tape
Rza pump the shit just like a shotty
Watch me run it john gotti
Collidin' on the track, like gin and watty
Check the calender, I warn any challenger
To step up feel the blast from the silencer" - Raekwon
*Verses were all dope, but Chef rocked it.
Kaleb Towne
You're a crossbreed, I'm a knowledge seed
I want action, that's what I need
I never put doubt in my mind
'Cause I know when I touch the mic there's the rhyme
See murder which is caused
When you fuck with the negative and positive charge
Then they came up, out my garage
With the hit that's gonna be large
Tired of sittin' on my fuckin' ass
Niggas I know, be runnin' around with mad fuckin' cash
Who the fuck wanna be an emcee
If you can't get paid, to be a fuckin emcee?
I came out my momma pussy I'm on welfare
Twenty-six years old still on welfare
So I gotta get paid fully
Whether it's truthfully or untruthfully
With my boston bloodthirsty process
P-e-a-c-e
Move 'em in move 'em in
Move 'em out move 'em out
Stick it up raw hide
Yea, gotta come back to attack
Killin' niggas who said they got stacks, 'cause I don't give a fuck
I wanna see blood, whether it's period blood
Or bustin' your fuckin' face, some blood
I'm goin' out my fuckin' mind
Every time I get around devils
Let me calm down, you niggas better start runnin'
'Cause I'm comin', I'm dope like fuckin' heroin
Wu-tang bloodkin', a goblin, who come tough like lambskin
Imagine, gettin 'shot up with ol dirty insulin
You bound to catch aids or somethin'
Not sayin' I got it, but nigga if I got it you got it
What
Yo, check the bulletproof fly shit, strong like thai stick
Then I'll remain to tear your frame, while I freaks it
Like some fly new sneaks and shit
Now eat my shit, bitch tried to creep and got hit
Now regulate, and I'll be out to set up a date
Wu-tang, is bangin' like a ron g tape
Rza pump the shit just like a shotty
Watch me run it john gotti
Collidin' on the track, like gin and watty
Check the calender, I warn any challenger
To step up feel the blast from the silencer
Move 'em in move 'em in
Move 'em out move 'em out
Stick it up raw hide
Comin' soon to a theatre near you it be the wu
Yeah find yourself in the square and see it's true
Actual facts to snack on and chew
My positive energy sounds peace to you
A wise man killed one horse and made glue
Wicked women puttin' period blood in stew
Don't that make the stew witches brew?
I fear for the eighty-five that don't got a clue
How could he know what the fuck he never knew?
God-cypher-divine come to show and come to prove
A mystery god that's the work of yacub
The holy ghost got you scared to death kid boo
Tay
ODB went so hard he stopped rapping halfway thru & just started screaming about blood ๐
Chrisๆๆๆ
And we not talking bout any blood dude said period blood ๐๐
B Mon
He on that witches brew tip on this one. Mad respect and peace to the originator Russell Jones. Nothing but love. Truly more than one of a kind. A true genius that was thought of as a joker by quite a few till they asses caught up and realized they the fukn clown and he the puppet master... pssshhhhhh
Adam Gordon
@Chrisๆๆๆ : ๐คฃ๐คฃ and if Iโm not mistaken on his second album โ Nigga please โ in the booklet it looks like heโs made to have period blood on his face ๐คฆ๐พโโ๏ธ
Volta55
That transition...how ODBโs verse goes into Raekwonโs verse is absolutely flawless. โIโm dope like fuckin heroin!!โ
pantherleal
Always thought that โdope like fucking heroinโ. was the hardest shit he said in the song.
Thomas Waller
This is not mumble rap
49 Keyz Beats
Rae went in
Jeff Futrell
I never understood how ODB can rap off beat but still be on beat on this track....GOAT status
Anthony Crispino
Still one of the hardest songs out there till this day.. beat is sick