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)
Tical
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical
What's that shit the niggaz smokin? Tical, tical, tical
Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical
Check it, I got styles, all of 'em sick
Niggaz ain't fit to walk a mile in the dead man's kicks
I make 'em shit about a pile, of bricks to show
That want to flow, here it is, comin' up shit's creek
I come to throw monkey wrenches in your program, sleep
and I'ma grow, like a rash on ya nasty ass
In a whip, with no breaks and I'm hittin' the gas
It's a bird, it's a plane, take a look in the sky
Method Man on some shit, niggaz call me The Fly
'Cause my style, dates back to hoppin' turnstyles
Make ya fear, if ya cutie in the chair, you can bet I'll
get severe on the double I harass it
I don't look for trouble, I'm already trouble
Ya bastard, check the wicked flows that I crafted
Open up a deadly venom style to be mastered
By a psychopathic, way beyond an average
Joe, with a hellafied flow, there ya have it
What's that shit that they be smokin? Tical, tical, tical
Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical
What's that shit the niggaz smokin? Tical, tical, tical
Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical
One two, uh, one two one two
One two, uh, one two one two
One two, uh, one two one two
Check it out
What goes off? What goes on? The Meth shit
that we got is to stay high, no question
Lethal weapon, ain't no time for half steppin'
When brothers start wettin' everything in ya section
Move that, niggaz came strapped, shoulda knew that
Do dat, pussy cat rap, boy, I'll screw that
To' up, from the flow up, don't even show up
To the battle, I heard you rattle now hold up
Is there a fuckin' snake in my garden?
Starvin', for a rap treat, steppin' on my feet
Pardon yo delf, before ya find yo delf
In a fucked up situation, without no help
I'm not playin', 'cause I don't play with nobody
God damn kid, know what I'm sayin', I'm peelin' niggas wigs
I be sprayin', brother with words
'Cause I got a spit problem
Tical, tical, tical
Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical
What's that shit the niggaz smokin? Tical, tical, tical
Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical
In Method Man’s song Tical, the rapper discusses his superior rap skills and how he comes to challenge any competition. The song also pays tribute to the marijuana strain “Tical,” referring to it as a source of relaxation and enjoyment. The chorus, “What’s that shit that they be smokin? Tical, tical, tical. Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical. What’s that shit the niggaz smokin? Tical, tical, tical. Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical,” repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the use of the drug as a common bond amongst the hip hop community.
Method Man is confident in his abilities, stating he has all kinds of styles and that his rhymes are so sick, others can’t even walk a mile in his shoes — a reference to his limited edition Air Jordan brand, which at the time were nicknamed “Dead Man’s Kicks.” He also boasts that he can take any rapper’s lyrics apart line by line, by flowing and rapping smoothly, like an unstoppable force. Method Man demonstrates his ability to flow smoothly with internal rhymes that create a smooth, engaging rhythm throughout the song.
Method Man’s use of vernacular and slang make the song an example of early 1990s hip hop culture. The song’s title also became the name for Method Man’s first solo album, “Tical”, which was produced by RZA and released in 1994. It has been hailed as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time, bringing a new sound to the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
What's that shit that they be smokin? Tical, tical, tical
Asking about the substance that people are smoking commonly referred to as 'Tical.'
Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical
Requesting to pass the 'Tical' substance over to the singer.
Check it, I got styles, all of 'em sick
The singer boasts about his various rap styles being unique and unparalleled.
Niggaz ain't fit to walk a mile in the dead man's kicks
The artist emphasizes the difficulty of others trying to match his skills by comparing it to unsuccessfully trying to wear shoes that belong to a dead person.
I make 'em shit about a pile, of bricks to show
The artist challenges his competitors to come up with similar rhymes as difficult as trying to shit a pile of bricks.
He ain't nuttin' but another, a lone John Doe
The singer diminishes his opponents by referring to them as unknown and insignificant individuals.
That want to flow, here it is, comin' up shit's creek
The singer is ready to compete and defeat his opponents, even if they end up in an unfavorable or difficult position.
I come to throw monkey wrenches in your program, sleep
The artist plans to disrupt his competitors' plans completely by throwing curveballs and unexpected challenges.
And I'ma grow, like a rash on ya nasty ass
The artist promises to continuously improve and become a nuisance for his opponents, just like a persistent rash on someone's body.
In a whip, with no breaks and I'm hittin' the gas
The artist is relentless and unbound, pushing forward with reckless abandon.
It's a bird, it's a plane, take a look in the sky
The singer compares himself to a superhero, seemingly invincible and untouchable.
Method Man on some shit, niggaz call me The Fly
The artist refers to himself as 'The Fly,' someone who is sharp, quick, and unstoppable.
'Cause my style, dates back to hoppin' turnstyles
The singer's rap style has a long history and dates back to when he was a teenager hopping turnstiles in the subway system.
Make ya fear, if ya cutie in the chair, you can bet I'll
The singer suggests that even people who are not directly involved in the rap battle will tremble and fear his skills.
Get severe on the double I harass it
The singer is aggressive and will not hesitate to attack his opponents mercilessly.
I don't look for trouble, I'm already trouble
The artist does not seek conflict but is something that others should fear because of his talent.
Ya bastard, check the wicked flows that I crafted
The artist taunts his opponents to look carefully at his impressive and unique rhymes.
Open up a deadly venom style to be mastered
The singer boasts about his style being poisonous, deadly, and difficult to match.
By a psychopathic, way beyond an average
The singer describes himself as an abnormal and insane rapper, far beyond what is considered average.
Joe, with a hellafied flow, there ya have it
The artist has a unique flow style that is unmatched and undeniable.
What goes off? What goes on? The Meth shit
The artist questions the status quo and emphasizes his own unique brand of rap known as 'The Meth shit.'
that we got is to stay high, no question
The artist suggests that the 'Meth shit' that he raps about is meant to be enjoyed while high without a doubt.
Lethal weapon, ain't no time for half steppin'
The singer considers himself as an unstoppable and deadly weapon, and there is no room for others to slack or perform poorly.
When brothers start wettin' everything in ya section
The artist suggests that when he raps, it brings out so much energy and chaos that it drips to everyone in his section (such as the audience).
Move that, niggaz came strapped, shoulda knew that
The singer warns that his competitors are loaded and ready for anything, and those who underestimate them should be cautious.
Do dat, pussy cat rap, boy, I'll screw that
The singer criticizes weak and unimaginative rhymes and suggests that he will destroy them.
To' up, from the flow up, don't even show up
The singer is confident that his competitors' rhymes are flawed and not worth presenting, and they should not even bother to show up.
To the battle, I heard you rattle now hold up
The artist challenges his opponents to come prepared, warning that weak rhymes will not be tolerated.
Is there a fuckin' snake in my garden?
The artist questions whether someone is conspiring against him, suggesting hidden agendas and danger.
Starvin', for a rap treat, steppin' on my feet
The singer implies hunger for a challenge in rap, and is annoyed when others try to interfere or compete with him.
Pardon yo delf, before ya find yo delf
The singer advises others to apologize to him and back off quickly, to avoid getting hurt in a rap battle.
In a fucked up situation, without no help
The artist warns that those who continue to oppose him will ultimately face failure and be left without support.
I'm not playin', 'cause I don't play with nobody
The artist is serious and means business, and will not show mercy to anyone who tries to mess with him.
God damn kid, know what I'm sayin', I'm peelin' niggas wigs
The artist is aggressive and confident in his ability to defeat his opponents with ease, making them figuratively tear off their own hair in frustration.
I be sprayin', brother with words
The singer is talented and able to rap with ease, comparing it to spraying bullets at opponents.
'Cause I got a spit problem
The artist suggests that his flow is so relentless and effortless, it can be compared to a medical condition - a 'spit problem.'
Tical, tical, tical
Repeating the previous chorus, referring to the 'Tical' substance.
Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical
Repeating the previous line, requesting the 'Tical' substance.
What's that shit the niggaz smokin? Tical, tical, tical
Repeating the opening line, asking about the substance that others are smoking.
Pass it over here, tical, tical, tical
Repeating the previous line, requesting to smoke the 'Tical' substance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind