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)
Release Yo Delf (Prodigy Mix I
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jet back to the lab like they were being chased by homicide
My rap flow does you like Tical, and it will never steer you wrong
And all you bitch-ass niggas in the industry
Your careers won't be lasting long
When I first stepped on the scene, niggas was petrified
Jet back to the lab like they were being chased by homicide
And all you bitch-ass niggas in the industry
Your careers won't be lasting long
Check it, I'm the fuckin man, who they mention
Notice, that other niggas rap styles is bogus
Doo-doo, prepare for this verse Tical voodoo
Blazin, the stuff that ignites stimulation
Inside ya, cuz I be that house over water
Forgot in the realm that be deep as the Poseidon
Adventure, niggas need to touch they freakin tincture
For the sickness, that be spreadin with the quickness
Remedies, cousin I be doin on my enemies
Penalty, then I drink forties to they memories
Emotion, rushin through your down street vicinity
Blunt smoke, in the air reveals my identity
As I keep it movin, we keep it movin uh
Keep it movin, and keep it movin uh
Keep it movin baby we be movin uh
Keep it movin, we keep it huh RHARHHH
What's that rhythm what's that sound
Party people getting down
When it hit the baddest man
Just release, yo delf!!
My God, somebody said it's on, if it isn't I'll be set
To blow a nigga up, with my Five Fingers of Death
I bring it to his whole damn fam, understand
If he frontin, on any man down with the Clan
I be comin, for the headpiece you can't cope
For my brother, I bring it to the Pope, word to mother
Serial, killa, style from Big Isle
No Stat, my peoples are you with me where you at?
Shit's gettin deep in here, I mean like thick
Niggas lookin all in my face like they want dick
It's about to hit the fan, hit the flo'
That's all I can stands, and I can't stands no mo'
What is it? Niggas think they bigga
Cause they got the finga on the trigga of a pistol
They don't know I'm wicked, when I start to kick it
With the raw sound, wash it down with a Mystic
Better yet a Snapple, nigga want the juice
But he don't want the hassle
Then we try to overthrow the castle
Better yet the temple I'm comin to your town
Black man, the rental, God, the pistol
Cocked! If you don't want a burn from GLOCK
Then beware, I buck shots, we move up, the buck stops
Here, no more dough will be made
Unless it's being made by hoes
What's that rhythm what's that sound
Party people getting down
When it hit the baddest man
Just breathe in, till then
And keep it movin, baby keep it movin
I plan to keep it movin, you know we keep it movin uh
And keep it movin, baby we be movin uh
And keep it movin, you know we keep it movin uh
And keep it movin, you know we keep it movin
Baby we be movin, you know we keep it moo..RARHRAH
When I first stepped on the scene, niggas was petrified
Jet back to the lab like they were being chased by homicide
My rap flow does you like Tical, and it will never steer you wrong
And all you bitch-ass niggas in the industry
Your careers won't be lasting long
Throw your hands in the sky
And wave em from side to side
And if you're ready to spark up the Meth-Tical
Let me hear you say stim-uli
When I first stepped on the scene, niggas was petrified
Jet back to the lab like they were being chased by homicide
My rap flow does you like Tical, and it will never steer you wrong
And all you bitch-ass niggas in the industry
Your careers won't be lasting long
In "Release Yo Delf," Method Man asserts his dominance in the rap game. He likens his rap flow to his alter ego "Tical," who is bold and unapologetic. He also expresses his contempt for other rappers in the industry, who he believes won't last long. The lyrics reveal Method Man's confidence in his abilities and his strong conviction that he is the "fucking man" in the rap industry.
The song has a rhythm that draws listeners in with a catchy hook that encourages party people to keep moving to the music. The verses that follow are complex and thought-provoking, showcasing Method Man's lyrical skills. He talks about his tendency to resort to violence if anyone tries to mess with him or his Clan. He also speaks about the need for remedies to deal with the sicknesses that are spreading quickly, both in the rap industry and the world.
Line by Line Meaning
When I first stepped on the scene, niggas was petrified
Went onto the stage for the first time and scared everybody
Jet back to the lab like they were being chased by homicide
Fled from the stage, feeling like they were being pursued by danger
My rap flow does you like Tical, and it will never steer you wrong
My style of rap, like Tical, never goes wrong
And all you bitch-ass niggas in the industry
Referring to the weak and unskilled rappers in the music business
Your careers won't be lasting long
Your jobs as rappers are not sustainable for a long period
Check it, I'm the fuckin man, who they mention
I am the talked-about and respected man in the business
Notice, that other niggas rap styles is bogus
See that the musical styles of other rappers are fake and without merit
Doo-doo, prepare for this verse Tical voodoo
Get ready for this intense and powerful rap verse called Tical voodoo
Blazin, the stuff that ignites stimulation
Creating a fiery, stimulating sound that catches the audience's attention
Inside ya, cuz I be that house over water
Sending the music deep within you because my music comes from a place on the water
Forgot in the realm that be deep as the Poseidon
Recounting a time when I got lost in a world as deep as the ocean
Adventure, niggas need to touch they freakin tincture
Encouraging people to embrace their adventurous side
For the sickness, that be spreadin with the quickness
Being aware of the disease that spreads fast and causes problems
Remedies, cousin I be doin on my enemies
Using my skills to fight against my foes
Penalty, then I drink forties to they memories
Celebrating my victory with a drink after punishing my enemies
Emotion, rushin through your down street vicinity
Arousing emotions in the area around you
Blunt smoke, in the air reveals my identity
The smell of marijuana smoke indicates my presence
As I keep it movin, we keep it movin uh
Continuing to progress and move on
What's that rhythm what's that sound
Noticing the beat and sound of the music
Party people getting down
The audience enjoying the music and dancing
When it hit the baddest man
Referring to myself as the coolest and most talented man
Just release, yo delf!!
Giving everybody the freedom to enjoy and party to the music
My God, somebody said it's on, if it isn't I'll be set
If somebody says that something is happening, then I'll be ready for action
To blow a nigga up, with my Five Fingers of Death
Using my lethal skills to defeat my enemies
I bring it to his whole damn fam, understand
Taking on my enemy and defeating him along with his entire family
If he frontin, on any man down with the Clan
Challenging anyone who opposes our group to face us head-on
I be comin, for the headpiece you can't cope
Coming for the top position that you can't hold onto
Serial, killa, style from Big Isle
My intense style of rap coming from the Big Island
No Stat, my peoples are you with me where you at?
No hesitation, are you ready to join me and fight?
Shit's gettin deep in here, I mean like thick
Things are getting serious and dangerous
Niggas lookin all in my face like they want dick
Men staring at me aggressively and disrespectfully
It's about to hit the fan, hit the flo'
Things are about to get really bad and violent
That's all I can stands, and I can't stands no mo'
I can't take it anymore and I'm going to take action
What is it? Niggas think they bigga
Asking why some people think they are better than others
Cause they got the finga on the trigga of a pistol
Because they have a firearm and think they're powerful
They don't know I'm wicked, when I start to kick it
They don't realize I'm dangerous, especially when I'm rapping
With the raw sound, wash it down with a Mystic
Combining my raw sound with a brand of soda called Mystic
Better yet a Snapple, nigga want the juice
Preferring a different drink, like Snapple
Then we try to overthrow the castle
Attempting to take down the corrupt system in place
Better yet the temple I'm comin to your town
Coming to your city to bring change to the established norms
Black man, the rental, God, the pistol
Referring to himself as a black man who is powerful
Cocked! If you don't want a burn from GLOCK
Warning enemies that they will face consequences if they don't back off
Then beware, I buck shots, we move up, the buck stops
If they don't listen, I'll use my weapon and the battle will end immediately
Here, no more dough will be made
No more money will be gained or accepted
Unless it's being made by hoes
The only way to make money is by exploiting and degrading women
Throw your hands in the sky
Raising your hands in celebration
And wave em from side to side
Waving them in a rhythmic movement
And if you're ready to spark up the Meth-Tical
Asking if the audience is ready for an intense performance
Let me hear you say stim-uli
Encouraging the crowd to join in and say the word stimulus
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, DINO FEKARIS, FREDERICK J. PERREN, ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind