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)
Torture
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
True Mast' on the track
Like that, you know?
Been in this rap game for like the past
Four bullets now, you know? Doing bids, yeah yeah
I done peeped a lot of cats come through
Courageous cats, stray cats, haha
Top cats with top hats, you know what I'm saying?
Rhymes, line for line, numero uno
Who the best? I don't know
Check it
Flame on, I rain fire when Johnny Storm
I'm shocking like live wire, you have been warned
I prolong this next chamber to make it strong
And prove all them doubters wrong
Killin 'em Softly with this song, adding on
Let them toes get they tag on, dead men run no marathons
On my shift, shooting that gift, knowin' he snitched
On the telethon, running his lips, sinking the ship
Give back what his mother gave him, mother made him
And now she can't even save him, Johnny Blaze 'em
Send him to his final resting
Back to the essence, Faces of Death, the final lesson
Torture, torture, torture
Motherfucking torture, y'all niggas know
Who got John Blaze shit? Sucking my dick to get famous
So I switched Blaze to Dangerous
Welcome to my torture chambers, torture chambers
Where John Doe's remain nameless, hear me?
I know it's Def Jam, but think clearly
I made it possible for y'all cats to come near me
Keep your enemies close and your heat closer
I slam just like my culture on all theories
Dead that, straight off the meat rack with this one
You get burned playing Nix-on, Hot biscuit
Stand back, don't make me spit one and paint pictures
On the walls of your mental with hot lead from out these pencils
Iron Lung since I was young and not knowing
Where the next meal was coming from, been troublesome
To all those posing a threat
If I go, everybody got to go next, y'all niggas know
The code of the street soldier, I'm watching time
And time watching me colder, Grim Reaper
Breathing death on my shoulder
Waiting for the day to take me over, take me over
Torture, torture, torture
Motherfucking torture, y'all niggas know
That you can never touch my flow, go ahead and hate me
Still tryna fuck my ho, Johnny-come-latelies?
Got me in a world of shit and now I'm pissed
Mama said there'd be days like this
This the season for ducks and my pen's bleeding
Leaving kids barely breathing for sneak-thieving
Famished from lack of eating and lack of teaching
Banished from Rhyme & Reason for high treason
Can it be, that the kid with the knock knees
Got G to make a grown man cop plea, for this track
I got a Lovebug like Starski
Blow back until I drop Tical Part 3
Ain't no stopping when you start me, John Jay
Pulling your card, mayday mayday, niggas owe they life to God
And now it's payday, take it how ya wanna take it
Fully clothed or butt-naked, I learned the hard way
Ain't nothing sacred in this world, time to face it
Johnny Basic Instinct, I'm sure to make it
While others fake it, fuck the spotlight, G-O-D already got light
Say what you like, just spell my name right
No doubt, this one goes out, to all you trout-fish
Cake niggas, keep my dick up out your mouth
Torture, torture, torture
Motherfucking torture, y'all niggas know
In the opening lyrics of Method Man's song Torture, he reflects on his past and how he has seen many rappers come and go in the industry. He emphasizes that what separates the best from the rest is their ability to deliver powerful and meaningful lyrics. He then launches into the first verse which is full of menacing and aggressive language. He warns his listeners that he is a force to be reckoned with and that anyone who crosses him will feel his fire. He talks about his ability to crush his enemies with his rhymes and how he is always ready to face anyone who comes against him.
In the second verse, Method Man switches his focus to the topic of his torture chambers. He explains that his torture chambers are where he brings those who pose a threat to his success or to those he cares about. He's unforgiving and merciless to his enemies and will never let them escape or reveal their identity. He continues to assert his dominance over the rap industry by reminding the listener that he's made it possible for them to be able to work with him. The third verse, he talks about his journey to success and how difficult it was for him to make it to where he is. He describes the pain and struggle he endured, but also his determination to succeed no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
You know? Through being humbles
Despite my success, I remain humble.
True Mast' on the track
I am a master of my craft and deliver great music.
Been in this rap game for like the past
I have been in the rap game for a long time.
Four bullets now, you know? Doing bids, yeah yeah
I have served four prison sentences.
I done peeped a lot of cats come through
I have seen a lot of rappers come and go.
Courageous cats, stray cats, haha
I have seen many different types of rappers.
Top cats with top hats, you know what I'm saying?
I have seen some successful rappers.
But it all boils down to this, we talking lyrics
Ultimately, the most important thing in rap is the quality of lyrics.
Rhymes, line for line, numero uno
The best rapper is the one with the best rhymes and lyrics.
Who the best? I don't know
I am not sure who the best rapper is.
Flame on, I rain fire when Johnny Storm
I am a fiery and powerful rapper.
I'm shocking like live wire, you have been warned
My raps are powerful and can be shocking.
I prolong this next chamber to make it strong
I take extra time to make my raps strong and powerful.
And prove all them doubters wrong
I prove wrong those who doubt my skills as a rapper.
Killin 'em Softly with this song, adding on
My music kills softly, but I continue to improve.
Let them toes get they tag on, dead men run no marathons
If you cross me, you will not live a long life.
On my shift, shooting that gift, knowin' he snitched
I use my rapping talent to expose those who have snitched.
On the telethon, running his lips, sinking the ship
I call out those who talk too much and cause trouble.
Give back what his mother gave him, mother made him
I expose the shortcomings of those who were raised poorly by their mothers.
And now she can't even save him, Johnny Blaze 'em
Their mothers can no longer protect them from my criticism.
Send him to his final resting
I will expose them until their inevitable demise.
Back to the essence, Faces of Death, the final lesson
Their death is the final lesson in the cycle of life and death.
Torture, torture, torture
My music is a form of torture to those who do not appreciate it.
Who got John Blaze shit? Sucking my dick to get famous
Everyone wants to be like me and use my talents to gain fame.
So I switched Blaze to Dangerous
I have become even more dangerous and powerful over time.
Welcome to my torture chambers, torture chambers
My music is my torture chamber for those who do not respect me.
Where John Doe's remain nameless, hear me?
Those who disrespect me will not be remembered in the rap game.
I know it's Def Jam, but think clearly
Although I am signed to Def Jam, I will not tolerate disrespect from anyone.
I made it possible for y'all cats to come near me
I have paved the way for other rappers to become successful.
Keep your enemies close and your heat closer
I keep my enemies close, and I am always ready to defend myself.
I slam just like my culture on all theories
My raps are powerful and challenge all theories.
Dead that, straight off the meat rack with this one
I am direct and blunt with my raps.
You get burned playing Nix-on, Hot biscuit
If you mess with me, you will get burned.
Stand back, don't make me spit one and paint pictures
I am a powerful lyricist who can create vivid imagery with my rhymes.
On the walls of your mental with hot lead from out these pencils
I can leave a lasting impression on your mind with my lyrics.
Iron Lung since I was young and not knowing
I have been a powerful rapper since I was young.
Where the next meal was coming from, been troublesome
I grew up in poverty and struggled to make ends meet.
To all those posing a threat
I view anyone who poses a threat to me as an enemy.
If I go, everybody got to go next, y'all niggas know
If I am going down, I will not go down alone.
The code of the street soldier, I'm watching time
I follow the code of the street and am always aware of the passage of time.
And time watching me colder, Grim Reaper
I am aware that time is always creeping closer to my eventual death.
Breathing death on my shoulder
I am constantly reminded of my own mortality.
Waiting for the day to take me over, take me over
I am aware that death will eventually claim me.
That you can never touch my flow, go ahead and hate me
No one can imitate or surpass my rapping skills, even if they hate me.
Still tryna fuck my ho, Johnny-come-latelies?
People are still trying to exploit my fame for personal gain.
Got me in a world of shit and now I'm pissed
I am angry about the struggles and challenges I continue to face.
Mama said there'd be days like this
I am reminded that my mother warned me about days like these.
This the season for ducks and my pen's bleeding
My creativity is at an all-time high and my writing is intense.
Leaving kids barely breathing for sneak-thieving
I expose thieves and liars in my music in a powerful way.
Famished from lack of eating and lack of teaching
Many people in poor communities are hungry and lack education.
Banished from Rhyme & Reason for high treason
Some rappers are banned from the rap game for disrespecting the culture.
Can it be, that the kid with the knock knees
Could it be that someone with physical flaws could become successful?
Got G to make a grown man cop plea, for this track
My raps can make even the toughest criminals confess to their crimes.
I got a Lovebug like Starski
My raps are smooth and infectious like a Lovebug.
Blow back until I drop Tical Part 3
I will continue to make great music until the end of my career.
Ain't no stopping when you start me, John Jay
Once I get started, there is no stopping me.
Pulling your card, mayday mayday, niggas owe they life to God
I expose the flaws and disrespect of other rappers, who should be grateful for their talent.
And now it's payday, take it how ya wanna take it
Those who disrespect me will eventually have to face the consequences.
Fully clothed or butt-naked, I learned the hard way
I have learned many lessons from my personal struggles and mistakes.
Ain't nothing sacred in this world, time to face it
There is no sacred or untouchable subject in the rap game.
Johnny Basic Instinct, I'm sure to make it
I am confident that my talent and hard work will bring me success.
While others fake it, fuck the spotlight, G-O-D already got light
I do not need fame to validate my talent and worth, as God has already blessed me.
Say what you like, just spell my name right
People can say what they want about me, as long as they spell my name correctly.
No doubt, this one goes out, to all you trout-fish
This song is dedicated to all those who try to go against the current or go against me.
Cake niggas, keep my dick up out your mouth
Those who are jealous of my success should not speak ill of me or my career.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Clifford Smith, Derrick R. L. Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind