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)
Rules
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
C.R.E.A.M. get the money
Dollar, dollar bill, ya'll
Cash rules everything around me
C.R.E.A.M. get the money
Dollar, dollar bill, ya'll
You say cash rules everything around you, what about love? (La-da-da)
You think ass rules everything around you, what about trust?
You say cash rules everything around you, you doing too much (la-da)
And that's where you fucked up
Focused on the wrong things
You just tryna get a new coupe
With some lose change and a bad bitch
Just to say you hit it one night
Saying everything's okay
Spending money on some new shoes
And a bottle, just to look cool
Oh, you just do it for the like
You just do it for the Nike
Saying that you want that wifey material
But you psycho, yeah you serial, Dino bites
Never mind
You don't get it do you?
You don't get it do you?
You say cash rules everything around you, what about love? (La-da-da)
You say cash rules everything around you, what about us? (La-da-da)
You think ass rules everything around you, what about trust?
You say cash rules everything around you, you doing too much (la-da)
And that's where you fucked up
You got a thousand excuses
You don't wanna be exclusive
Everyday it's a new mood switch
Lights on, lights off (off)
Either you in or you out (out)
Lift me up or hold me down (down)
Leave your dirt on the ground
'Cause you're lost up in the clout
You just do it for the like
Saying that you want that wifey material
But you psycho, yeah, you serial, Dino bites
Never mind
You don't get it do you?
You don't get it do you?
You say cash rules everything around you, what about love? (La-da-da)
You say cash rules everything around you, what about us? (La-da-da)
You think ass rules everything around you, what about trust?
You say cash rules everything around you, you doing too much (la-da)
And that's where you fucked up
Hol' up now, I told ya, Miss Little Over the Top
I'm at the point now I'm over it, is we over or not?
What's the point now in holding it? I'm just holding the spot
For the next man you've chosen or tryna throw in the box
The 'Cash Rules' the slogan, you in your feelings, you hot
Got you caught up in that feeling that when you feel it, you shop
And the feeling that I'm feeling is shocked
Know how you feel about the guap, how would you feel if it stop?
Now you might think I'm taking shots and acting hood but it's not
Just tryna eat up all the goods before you spit in the pot (C.R.E.A.M. get the money)
No, you don't care about the things that I got
You only care about me giving everything that I got
Okay
You say cash rules everything around you, what about love? (La-da-da)
You say cash rules everything around you, what about us? (La-da-da)
You think ass rules everything around you, what about trust?
You say cash rules everything around you, you doing too much (la-da)
And that's where you fucked up
You say cash rules everything around you, what about love?
Man, forget the money
(Cash rules everything)
(C.R.E.A.M. get the money)
(Dollar, dollar bill, ya'll)
You say cash rules everything around you, you forgot trust
Man, forget the money (dollar, dollar bill, ya'll)
Cash rules everything around you, what about love? (La-da-da)
You say cash rules everything around you, what about us? (La-da-da)
You think ass rules everything around you, what about trust?
You say cash rules everything around you, you doing too much (la-da)
And that's where you fucked up
"Cash Still Rules" is a song by Method Man, which addresses the idea that money dominates every aspect of life. The repeated phrase "cash rules everything around me" highlights the song's central idea: that money drives everything. The chorus's first two lines question the idea of whether love, trust, or other values have a place in a world that seems to be driven only by money. The line "you doing too much" suggests that too much emphasis is placed on money and not enough on other aspects of life. The line "And that's where you fucked up" suggests that those who focus on money alone are missing out on what's truly important.
The first verse implies that many people prioritize material possessions over love, trust, or other aspects of life. The lines "You just tryna get a new coupe / With some lose change and a bad bitch" suggest that people are more concerned with their appearance and possessions than with meaningful relationships. The second verse seems more specific to Method Man's personal experience, with the lines "Hol' up now, I told ya, Miss Little Over the Top / I'm at the point now I'm over it, is we over or not?" suggesting that the song is directed towards someone he is in a relationship with.
Overall, the song suggests that while money is essential, it should not be the sole focus of one's life. The song urges listeners to prioritize relationships, trust, and other values over material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
Cash rules everything around me
Money is the primary influence in my life
C.R.E.A.M. get the money
I strive to obtain cash in any way possible
Dollar, dollar bill, ya'll
Money is the only thing that matters
You say cash rules everything around you, what about love? (La-da-da)
You prioritize money over love
You say cash rules everything around you, what about us? (La-da-da)
You prioritize money over our relationship
You think ass rules everything around you, what about trust?
You prioritize physical attraction over trustworthiness
You say cash rules everything around you, you doing too much (la-da)
You focus too much on money
And that's where you fucked up
Your priorities are misaligned and are causing negative consequences
Focused on the wrong things
Your priorities are not in line with what's important
You just tryna get a new coupe
You're only concerned with material possessions
With some lose change and a bad bitch
You're only interested in women as a status symbol
Just to say you hit it one night
You just want to use women for your own pleasure
Saying everything's okay
You're trying to convince yourself that your material possessions make you happy
Spending money on some new shoes
You think buying more things will make you happier
And a bottle, just to look cool
You're only concerned with appearances
Oh, you just do it for the like
You only care about social media validation
You just do it for the Nike
You only buy things for the brand name
Saying that you want that wifey material
You claim to want a meaningful relationship
But you psycho, yeah you serial, Dino bites
But in reality, you're unstable and unreliable
Never mind
Your words have no substance
You don't get it do you?
You don't understand the true value of life
Hol' up now, I told ya, Miss Little Over the Top
Hold on, I've already warned you about your excessive behavior
I'm at the point now I'm over it, is we over or not?
I'm tired of dealing with your issues, are we breaking up or not?
What's the point now in holding it? I'm just holding the spot
There's no reason to hold onto an unhealthy relationship
For the next man you've chosen or tryna throw in the box
You'll just move on to the next man who's willing to deal with your behavior
The 'Cash Rules' the slogan, you in your feelings, you hot
Your obsession with money has led to negative emotions
Got you caught up in that feeling that when you feel it, you shop
Your desire for material possessions is a never-ending cycle
And the feeling that I'm feeling is shocked
I'm surprised by your prioritization of money over everything else
Know how you feel about the guap, how would you feel if it stop?
You only care about money, how would you feel if you lost it all?
Now you might think I'm taking shots and acting hood but it's not
You may think I'm being aggressive, but I'm just being honest
Just tryna eat up all the goods before you spit in the pot (C.R.E.A.M. get the money)
I'm trying to take care of myself before you ruin everything
No, you don't care about the things that I got
You don't care about anything other than money
You only care about me giving everything that I got
You just want me to financially provide for you
Man, forget the money
Money isn't everything
(Cash rules everything)
Money is powerful
(C.R.E.A.M. get the money)
Obtain money at all costs
(Dollar, dollar bill, ya'll)
Money is the only thing that matters
You say cash rules everything around you, you forgot trust
You need to prioritize trust over money
And that's where you fucked up
Your priorities are causing harm to your relationships
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Isabella Blue Snook, Clifford M. Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
R.E. Pajigal
I love how they're dripping in gold and crystals but the place they live in is almost dilapidated and dingy, really adds in to the whole meaning of the song.
Sheep wit da AK
i never realized. That makes sense according to the lyrics, thats so creative.
Super Nova
Great take on the story of King Midas!!
Elijah-James mac
Woah
TACK β
Shit if thatβs dilapidated there are a lot of people living worseβ¦ clean that place up a bit and it would be nice asf π
desirae jones
@TACK β wow comprehension truly isn't peoples strong suit
Nycer Ray
Iyla is so slept on man , she is so talented .
Tracy Pouncy
Interesting choice of words......
Lekita Miller
Factz π―π―
Layla Lavender
Srsly!! Love her