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)
The Rock
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
I smell it
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
I smell it
Come on, come on
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
Yo, finally The Rock has come back
Layin down the smack on your monkey crap candy coated ass
Enter the squared circle with the Great One
Most electrifying moves, don't change the station
Children and their children, they all chant
With the millions upon millions of Rock's fans
Get ready for the square dance, here's your chance
For a can of ass whooping, from the People's Champ
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
Jabroni, check yourself, you don't know me
Jabroni, go back to the gym, you're too bony
So you want a piece of The Rock? Make you crumble
In these Wrestlemanias, kid, we Royal Rumble
Telling us that Raw is War, what the hell you think we came for?
Just to play with these whips and chainsaws? And sharp glass
I'll shine them up real nice, turn them sideways,
and shove them up your candy ass
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
Yo, yo, this is it y'all, Summer Slam, Summer Sam'd out
It's Thursday Night Smackdown, there's No Way Out
Now you got a problem, with the Brahma Bull
Time to throw Rock Bottom
Ain't no way to stop him
See the People's Eyebrow, ignite the crowd
into a feeding frenzy, they want blood now
Chinlock and chair shots, suplexes, legdrops
Finish with the People's Elbow and sign it Rock
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
[Method Man]
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
If you smell what The Rock's cooking
[The Rock]
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
The Rock is a song by Method Man featuring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who was a professional wrestler before becoming a Hollywood actor. The lyrics are mostly centered around wrestling terminology and references, with Method Man rapping about The Rock's wrestling moves and persona. The refrain "Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?" is a catchphrase The Rock used to say before his matches to hype up the audience.
The verses reference The Rock's popularity among fans, with Method Man rapping about how The Rock has millions of fans and how people chant his name. He also warns his opponents, using insults such as "jabroni" to put them down and bragging about his own skills in the ring. The song culminates in a description of a wrestling match, with The Rock performing signature moves like the Rock Bottom and the People's Elbow.
Overall, the lyrics of The Rock are an homage to The Rock's wrestling career and larger-than-life persona. They are full of references that will be familiar to wrestling fans and capture the excitement and energy of a live wrestling event.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?
The Rock is asking if anyone can sense what he is bringing to the table.
I smell it
Method Man responds to The Rock's question by acknowledging that he can smell what The Rock is 'cooking.'
Yo, finally The Rock has come back
Method Man announces The Rock's return to the squared circle, highlighting his signature catchphrase.
Layin down the smack on your monkey crap candy coated ass
The Rock is going to use his signature moves to defeat his opponent in a demeaning fashion.
Enter the squared circle with the Great One
The Rock enters the arena as a wrestling legend.
Most electrifying moves, don't change the station
The Rock is known for his entertaining and captivating performance in the ring.
Children and their children, they all chant
The Rock has a fan base that spans generations.
With the millions upon millions of Rock's fans
The Rock has a massive following.
Get ready for the square dance, here's your chance
The audience should prepare themselves for a thrilling wrestling match.
For a can of ass whooping, from the People's Champ
The Rock is going to deliver a beating to his opponent, as a champion of the people.
Jabroni, check yourself, you don't know me
The Rock calls his opponent a 'jabroni' and tells them not to underestimate him.
Jabroni, go back to the gym, you're too bony
The Rock insults his opponent's physique and questions their training.
So you want a piece of The Rock? Make you crumble
The Rock warns his opponent that they will not come out on top in a battle with him.
In these Wrestlemanias, kid, we Royal Rumble
The Rock highlights his success and experience in the wrestling industry.
Telling us that Raw is War, what the hell you think we came for?
The Rock questions his opponent's motivation for entering the wrestling industry.
Just to play with these whips and chainsaws? And sharp glass
The Rock mocks the idea that his opponent is in the wrestling industry for the sake of playing with dangerous objects.
I'll shine them up real nice, turn them sideways,
The Rock suggests that he will take his opponent's dangerous objects and use them as weapons against them.
and shove them up your candy ass
The Rock threatens to insert the dangerous objects into his opponent's rear end as an act of humiliation.
Yo, yo, this is it y'all, Summer Slam, Summer Sam'd out
Method Man announces the upcoming wrestling event and highlights its popularity.
It's Thursday Night Smackdown, there's No Way Out
Method Man references another popular wrestling event, emphasizing the excitement and intensity of the wrestling industry.
Now you got a problem, with the Brahma Bull
The Rock is confident in his abilities as a wrestler and warns his opponent that they will struggle against him.
Time to throw Rock Bottom
The Rock is preparing to use his signature finishing move to defeat his opponent.
Ain't no way to stop him
Method Man emphasizes the power and skill of The Rock, implying that his opponent has no chance of winning.
See the People's Eyebrow, ignite the crowd
The Rock's signature eyebrow raises excites and engages the audience.
into a feeding frenzy, they want blood now
The audience is highly invested in The Rock's match and is eager to see him succeed.
Chinlock and chair shots, suplexes, legdrops
Method Man lists off a series of moves that The Rock may use against his opponent.
Finish with the People's Elbow and sign it Rock
The Rock finishes off his opponent with his signature finishing move and asserts his dominance in the match.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oo oO
Attitude Era was one of those rare moments in life.
Tremel Howard
Yup tru
Bison Jones
I've never been into wrestling, but I remember when this dropped back 1999 / 2000. Completely blew my brains out
Jerel
The Rock actually did come out to the ring with this music, but he only used it once and never again.
Martin Villarruz
Man, after 21 yrs, this still gets me amped. ⚡🐂
Anthony Leiva
Album has absolute bangerz
John Alonzo
Goosebumps all over again lol i miss my childhood
ScaryStuff
Love this version, also the dmx on this cd was great
Dillon Murway
The bass in this hits different in a car🔥
Dante87
They need to release this album on iTunes for purchase.