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)
Somebody Done F**ked Up
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The phenom from Vietnam, fresh out of rehab, yo
On my way the wankspot, what's good?
What's hood? Staten Island Advance
Big up to my man Magic down in mia, what up cuzo?
Knock, knock, who is it, ah shit***, hot peas and butter
Come and get it, somebody done fucked up, now
Eat a didick, somebody done fucked up, now
Y'all done did it, done stepped in it, now run and tell them
Nigga* who the realest, somebody done fucked up, now
Can you dig it, you'll never stop the kid up in the fitted?
Live with it, somebody done fucked up
Look, I'm cutting corners on these clowns, m******** and pounds
Found with Staten Island nigga* that run up on you with rounds
Take a drag, pass it around, guess who back in your town
And the crowd vict' with Officer Brown patting him down
S***'s thick, thick as harmony grits, 'cause with some thugs
Ain't no, harmony bitch, them nigga*probably snitch
Y'all be the judge, look what happened to Cocheese
What happens when your co-d's is talking to police, you dig?
Half a cig, let me fuck with ya wig, although you loving the style
They're ain't a pedophile could fuck with the kid
Now that I'm back up on my, feet, take it back to the streets
In the gm with your bm in the passenger seat
Riding hood, by my hood, ain't no hike in the wood
Life is good, it's so good, live it twice if I could
Man, it's me, once again it's that Wu-Tang
Crushing the s*** that you bring, you know how we do things
Knock, knock, who is it, ah shit***, hot peas and butter
Come and get it, somebody done fucked up, now
Meth spit it, I comes with it, quick to tell these critics
Eat a didick, somebody done fucked up, now
Y'all done did it, done stepped in it, now run and tell them
Nigga* who the realest, somebody done fucked up, now
Can you dig it, you'll never stop the kid up in the fitted?
Live with it, somebody done fucked up
Yo, pulling my shoes up, scuffing my Timbs, back to when?
Puffing again, who stunting, cops fucked* with them
Feeling the blow, goose bumping the skin, and on the scale
Of nothing to ten, a ten, man, it's nothing to him
See you can tell by how I'm clutching my pen like Mae Weather
Touching her chin, she stunting, going up in her friend
Tell the label give me something to spin and every light got a price
You want a slice but we ain't cutting you in
Man, these fiends know my past work, held a monkey
Until they back hurt, money talking, wonder what that's worth
And mcf, mean Cash First s***, picture the kid
On the beach in Hawaii, minus the grass skirt
Blast first, ask questions last
Black herse, nigga, stretch yo ass, y'all nigga*know what this is
It's New Yitty, this ain't just a fad
It's M E F, and I ain't Biggie, but I'm just as Bad, Boy
Knock, knock, who is it, ah shit***, hot peas and butter
Come and get it, somebody done fucked up, now
Meth spit it, I comes with it, quick to tell these critics
Eat a didick, somebody done fucked up, now
Y'all done did it, done stepped in it, now run and tell them
Nigga* who the realest, somebody done fucked up, now
Can you dig it, you'll never stop the kid up in the fitted?
Live with it, somebody done fucked up
Yeah, Big M-E-F, Staten Island Advance, motherfucked*
Word up, don't ever count me out, just count me the fuck in
I'll be back for more
In "Somebody Done F**ked Up," Method Man is announcing his return to the rap game after being in rehab. The song is a reminder that he still possesses the lyrical prowess that made him famous. The song is characterized by its catchy beat and Method Man's effortless flow. The title of the song reflects its overall theme that someone has made a grave mistake and will pay the price for it.
Throughout the song, Method Man is showcasing his skills as he confidently asserts his dominance over the rap genre. He takes aim at his critics, highlighting their inadequacies and telling them to eat a dick. He also references his history of drug use, alluding to his struggles with addiction and his determination to overcome it.
The song also features some references to Staten Island, the rapper's hometown. He mentions some of the local landmarks and people, highlighting his deep roots in the community.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, one, two, one, two, it's Big M E F
Method Man introducing himself as Big M E F.
The phenom from Vietnam, fresh out of rehab, yo
Method Man is referencing his time in rehab for drug addiction.
On my way the wankspot, what's good?
Method Man is on his way to a place called the 'wankspot' and is asking what's good there.
What's hood? Staten Island Advance
Method Man is asking what's good with the Staten Island Advance newspaper.
Big up to my man Magic down in mia, what up cuzo?
Method Man is giving a shoutout to his friend Magic who is in Miami and asking how he is doing.
Knock, knock, who is it, ah shit***, hot peas and butter
A reference to the childhood game 'Knock, Knock, Ginger' and the line is a response to someone knocking on the door. 'Hot peas and butter' is used to distract the one who is 'it.'
Come and get it, somebody done fucked up, now
Method Man is indicating that someone has made a mistake and will face the consequences.
Meth spit it, I comes with it, quick to tell these critics
Method Man is saying he is ready to respond to any criticisms.
Eat a didick, somebody done fucked up, now
Method Man is telling his critics to eat a 'dick' and indicating that they have made a mistake and will pay for it.
Y'all done did it, done stepped in it, now run and tell them
Method Man is telling the ones who made a mistake to run and tell others about it.
Nigga* who the realest, somebody done fucked up, now
Method Man is stating that he is the realest and indicating that someone has made a mistake.
Can you dig it, you'll never stop the kid up in the fitted?
Method Man is saying he will never stop and asking if the listener understands that.
Live with it, somebody done fucked up
Method Man is indicating that someone has made a mistake and they will have to live with the consequences.
Look, I'm cutting corners on these clowns, m******** and pounds
Method Man is saying he is taking shortcuts and dealing with drugs and money.
Found with Staten Island nigga* that run up on you with rounds
Method Man is referencing the violent behavior of some people in Staten Island.
Take a drag, pass it around, guess who back in your town
Method Man is saying he is back in town and smoking weed with his crew.
And the crowd vict' with Officer Brown patting him down
Method Man is referencing a time when he was frisked by a police officer named Brown.
S***'s thick, thick as harmony grits, 'cause with some thugs
Method Man is saying that the situation is thick and complicated because of some violent people.
Ain't no, harmony bitch, them nigga*probably snitch
Method Man is saying that some people will turn on you and snitch to the police.
Y'all be the judge, look what happened to Cocheese
Method Man is referencing a person named Cocheese who suffered consequences because of his actions.
What happens when your co-d's is talking to police, you dig?
Method Man is questioning what happens when your accomplices talk to the police.
Half a cig, let me fuck with ya wig, although you loving the style
Method Man is saying he will mess with someone's head even though they admire his style.
They're ain't a pedophile could fuck with the kid
Method Man is saying that even a pedophile wouldn't be able to mess with him.
Now that I'm back up on my, feet, take it back to the streets
Method Man is saying he is back on his feet and ready to go back to the streets.
In the gm with your bm in the passenger seat
Method Man is saying he is in a GMC car with someone's girlfriend in the passenger seat.
Riding hood, by my hood, ain't no hike in the wood
Method Man is saying he is cruising around his neighborhood and there is no danger or trouble around.
Life is good, it's so good, live it twice if I could
Method Man is saying his life is good and he wishes he could relive it.
Man, it's me, once again it's that Wu-Tang
Method Man is referencing his involvement with the Wu-Tang Clan.
Crushing the s*** that you bring, you know how we do things
Method Man is saying that he will crush any obstacles and his crew knows how they handle things.
Yo, pulling my shoes up, scuffing my Timbs, back to when?
Method Man is saying he is getting ready to go out and is asking what time it is.
Puffing again, who stunting, cops fucked* with them
Method Man is smoking weed again and saying the cops are harassing them.
Feeling the blow, goose bumping the skin, and on the scale
Method Man is feeling the effects of the drugs and getting goosebumps.
Of nothing to ten, a ten, man, it's nothing to him
Method Man is saying that he is used to being high and it's nothing to him.
See you can tell by how I'm clutching my pen like Mae Weather
Method Man is referencing the way Mae West holds her pen and how he holds his pen while writing.
Touching her chin, she stunting, going up in her friend
Method Man is saying that Mae West was known for flirting and he is similarly flirting with a woman going up with her friend.
Tell the label give me something to spin and every light got a price
Method Man is saying he wants the record label to give him something to spin and everything comes with a price.
You want a slice but we ain't cutting you in
Method Man is indicating that someone wants to be involved but they are not including them.
Man, these fiends know my past work, held a monkey
Method Man is saying that drug users know his work from the past and they understand the culture.
Until they back hurt, money talking, wonder what that's worth
Method Man is referencing how drug money can cause people to become addicted and is questioning if it is worth it.
And mcf, mean Cash First s***, picture the kid
Method Man is referencing his business venture called Cash First and saying to picture him doing it.
On the beach in Hawaii, minus the grass skirt
Method Man is saying he would like to be on the beach in Hawaii, enjoying himself.
Blast first, ask questions last
Method Man is saying that he will react aggressively if necessary.
Black herse, nigga, stretch yo ass, y'all nigga*know what this is
Method Man is threatening violence and saying that everyone knows what will happen.
It's New Yitty, this ain't just a fad
Method Man is saying this is the real deal and not just a temporary trend.
It's M E F, and I ain't Biggie, but I'm just as Bad, Boy
Method Man is referencing the record label Bad Boy and comparing himself to Biggie as being just as bad.
Word up, don't ever count me out, just count me the fuck in
Method Man is saying to never count him out and always include him in what's going on.
I'll be back for more
Method Man is indicating he will return for more music and success.
Contributed by Isabelle H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.