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)
Wu Wear
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't what you want baby
It's what you need baby
Ain't what you want baby
It's what you neeeeeeeed
[Verse One: RZA]
Yo diamond crystal rings sharp like icicles
Insulated thermal while others drain they co four butt solos
Photographic photo type static great motivated soldier
Or Wu say boulder head flower
You can detect the true and living God from the scorer
Keep your sword straight, maintain your weight
But he ate too much monosodiumglutumate, and polysorbate
And drug rate concentrate, with sodium benzoate
By the chicken thighs and tryglycerides
And this b**** advertised her breast size
Eighty-five didn't realize, til the truth opened up his eyes
Then he became highly civilized
And spent time amongst the wise, went through a garment renaissance
And stopped wearing Benetton
Tommy Hill, Perry Ellis, Nautica, or Liz Claiborne
Ocean Pacific, Fila, Bill Bla** and leave fitted
Quit the Armani sweaters with the Gucci wool knitted
Now all he buys, Kani's, Cross Colours, Shabazz Brothers
Mecca, Pelly Pell, 88, North Q, Bear and a few others
For the new year, strictly Wu-Wear
[Chorus: Method Man]
Ain't what you want baby
It's what you need baby
Ain't what you waaaaaant
[Verse Two: Cappadonna]
Pele egg-head the top dresser
One man catalog the London Fog casual hog
Biere denim with the Cash Wu Nike and Kangol king
Everyday, DLO jacket he gripped with the drawstring
Fila supply big daddy started haveta brown skin derby
Master Tommy Hil Advil
Double button Woolridge, red dickie turtleneck
Mockneck, eighteen carat holdin my twenty-two shine
In this like Macy's or Bloomingdale's
The Century 21 son, the new portfolio dunn
Now it's my time, Asian Wu-Wear, Cap and fleece wear
One wear plaids the Don will hold the best for all wear
Plus blue wear, Wu-Wear, what's going on
We're the best of this year, Wu-Wear and fleece wear
[Verse Three: Method Man]
Ain't what you want baby
It's what you need baby
Just come see me
Satisfaction guaranteed baby
Just hold your own baby
And just rock on baby
I got this wine on my mind
Feelin fine darlin
Now all you see baby
Ain't what you need baby
I want to know just how low
It goes
Official nasty a**es, straight shots in dirty glasses
Wu-Wear fleece for you and your stinkin piece
Hard time and killer tactics
Just hold your own baby
Now just rock on baby
I got this wine on my mind
Feelin fine darlin
Now all you see baby
Ain't what you need baby
I want to know just how low
It go
Just hold your own baby
Now just rock on baby
I got this wine on my mind
Feelin fine darlin
Now all you see baby
Ain't what you need baby
I want to know, how low, it go
The song "Wu Wear" by Method Man is about the Wu-Tang Clan's fashion line called Wu-Wear. The intro, performed by Method Man, states that it's not what you want, but rather what you need, which is fitting for a clothing line. The first verse, performed by RZA, describes the high quality and sharpness of the diamond crystal rings and nickel plated pistols that are covered in Wu-Wear. He also boasts about the brand's thermal insulation and how it sets them apart from others who wear solo-type jackets. RZA references health and wellness by warning against consuming too much monosodiumglutumate and tryglycerides while promoting self-reflection as a way to ascend from a "boulder head flower" to a "highly civilized" individual who spends time amongst the wise.
Cappadonna's verse is more focused on the individual designer clothes that he wears in conjunction with Wu-Wear such as "London Fog," "Fila," and "Kangol King." He compares himself to a "casual hog" and states that he can be found wearing Wu-Wear and fleece wear in the new year. Method Man's verse is more focused on calling listeners to action to come see him and purchase Wu-Wear. He mentions satisfaction guaranteed and the hard time and killer tactics associated with wearing the clothing line. The chorus, which Method Man performs multiple times throughout the song, reiterates that it's not about what you want, but rather what you need.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't what you want baby
What you think you want isn't actually what you need
It's what you need baby
What you actually need is something different from what you think
Yo diamond crystal rings sharp like icicles
I have expensive and flashy jewelry
Nickel plated pistols, official Wu-Wear covers my physical
I have guns and I wear Wu-Wear clothing
Insulated thermal while others drain they co four butt solos
I keep warm in cold weather while others suffer
Photographic photo type static great motivated soldier
I am disciplined, focused, and ready to fight
Or Wu say boulder head flower
I am a powerful member of the Wu Tang Clan
You can detect the true and living God from the scorer
I am a divine being and can be recognized as such
Keep your sword straight, maintain your weight
Be alert and in shape at all times
But he ate too much monosodiumglutumate, and polysorbate
He consumed too many unhealthy additives in his food
And drug rate concentrate, with sodium benzoate
His food also contained drugs and unhealthy preservatives
By the chicken thighs and tryglycerides
He ate unhealthy fatty foods
And this b**** advertised her breast size
A woman was promoting her body inappropriately
Eighty-five didn't realize, til the truth opened up his eyes
Someone was ignorant until they learned the truth
Then he became highly civilized
After learning, he became more cultured and refined
And spent time amongst the wise, went through a garment renaissance
He learned from wise people and changed his fashion style
And stopped wearing Benetton
He stopped wearing a certain clothing brand
Tommy Hill, Perry Ellis, Nautica, or Liz Claiborne
He stopped wearing these brands as well
Ocean Pacific, Fila, Bill Bla** and leave fitted
He replaced these brands with other ones that were better suited for him
Quit the Armani sweaters with the Gucci wool knitted
He stopped wearing these high-end brands
Now all he buys, Kani's, Cross Colours, Shabazz Brothers
He now buys clothing from these brands
Mecca, Pelly Pell, 88, North Q, Bear and a few others
He also buys from these brands
For the new year, strictly Wu-Wear
He will only wear clothes from the Wu-Wear brand in the new year
Pele egg-head the top dresser
I am a fashionable and stylish person
One man catalog the London Fog casual hog
I keep track of trends and wear London Fog clothing often
Biere denim with the Cash Wu Nike and Kangol king
I wear clothing and accessories from these brands
Everyday, DLO jacket he gripped with the drawstring
I wear this jacket often and secure it with a drawstring
Fila supply big daddy started haveta brown skin derby
I wear Fila clothing frequently
Master Tommy Hil Advil
I am knowledgeable about fashion and wear Tommy Hilfiger clothing
Double button Woolridge, red dickie turtleneck
I wear this clothing style
Mockneck, eighteen carat holdin my twenty-two shine
I wear jewelry made of gold and diamonds
In this like Macy's or Bloomingdale's
I dress in a fashionable and trendy way
The Century 21 son, the new portfolio dunn
I keep up with modern fashion trends
Now it's my time, Asian Wu-Wear, Cap and fleece wear
I currently wear clothing from the Asian Wu-Wear line and cap and fleece clothing
One wear plaids the Don will hold the best for all wear
I wear plaid clothing and believe it is the most fashionable option
Plus blue wear, Wu-Wear, what's going on
I wear blue clothing and Wu-Wear
We're the best of this year, Wu-Wear and fleece wear
Wu-Wear and fleece clothing are the most fashionable options this year
Just come see me
Visit me for fashionable clothing options
Satisfaction guaranteed baby
I guarantee you will be satisfied with your purchase
Just hold your own baby
Be confident in your style
And just rock on baby
Wear your clothing with pride and confidence
I got this wine on my mind
I am enjoying myself and feeling good
Feelin fine darlin
I feel great, my love
Now all you see baby
The clothes you currently see aren't the best for you
Ain't what you need baby
You need something different from what you see
I want to know just how low it goes
I want to experience the full extent of my desires
Official nasty a**es, straight shots in dirty glasses
I am a badass and will take shots from dirty glasses
Wu-Wear fleece for you and your stinkin piece
Wear Wu-Wear fleece to complement yourself and your partner
Hard time and killer tactics
I am ready for tough times and use harsh tactics to succeed
I want to know, how low, it go
I want to go as far as possible in achieving my desires
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Working Title
One of Rza's most underrated beats
Carey Shillea
Stgggg
Rikard Evjen
They are all underrated😒
SDS Overfiend
Beat is still elite 28 years later 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯
D Money
Facts!!!!
Lauren S
💯🔥
Edwin Wallace
RZA beats are timeless... 🔥🔥🔥
WU Tang 4ever
CALIENTE EL FRIENDE
💯💯💯
DuvalDH
That doorbell sound always makes this song extra special
Lil.d got the Juice
Doorbell hit different