Method Man: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox musical artist |
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|Name = Method Man |
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|Img = Methodman.jpg |
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|Background = solo_singer |
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|Birth_name = Clifford Smith |
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| years_active = 1993-present (solo) |
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|Alias = |
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|Origin = [[Staten Island]], [[New York City]] |
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|Born = April 1, 1971 |
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|Years_active = 1993–Present |
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|Associated_acts = [[Wu-Tang Clan]]<br>[[Redman]] |
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'''Method Man''' (born '''Clifford Smith''', [[April 1]], [[1971]] in [[Staten Island]], [[New York]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[hip hop music|rapper]] and member of the [[hip hop culture|hip hop]] collective, [[Wu-Tang Clan]]. He is also well-known for his work both as a solo artist and with frequent collaborator [[Redman]], as well as for recent forays into acting. Method Man takes his name from ''[[The Fearless Young Boxer|The Fearless Young Boxer]]'', also known as ''Method Man'', a 1979 film by [[Jimmy Shaw]] starring [[Peter Chen Lau]]. |
'''Method Man''' (born '''Clifford Smith''', [[April 1]], [[1971]] in [[Staten Island]], [[New York]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[hip hop music|rapper]] and member of the [[hip hop culture|hip hop]] collective, [[Wu-Tang Clan]]. He is also well-known for his work both as a solo artist and with frequent collaborator [[Redman]], as well as for recent forays into acting. Method Man takes his name from ''[[The Fearless Young Boxer|The Fearless Young Boxer]]'', also known as ''Method Man'', a 1979 film by [[Jimmy Shaw]] starring [[Peter Chen Lau]]. |
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Revision as of 15:41, 14 August 2006
Method Man |
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Method Man (born Clifford Smith, April 1, 1971 in Staten Island, New York) is an American rapper and member of the hip hop collective, Wu-Tang Clan. He is also well-known for his work both as a solo artist and with frequent collaborator Redman, as well as for recent forays into acting. Method Man takes his name from The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man, a 1979 film by Jimmy Shaw starring Peter Chen Lau.
Background
Method Man spent a childhood split between separated parents in Staten Island and Long 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 1990s.
Career
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, 1994 in music) 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") won a Grammy, before recording the second Wu-Tang album, Wu-Tang Forever. His second solo album was Tical 2000: Judgement Day (1998, 1998 in music), 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, Billy Joel 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 criticized 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.
Acting career and recent history
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 One Eight Seven, 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. Most recently Method Man had a role in an episode of CSI named "Poppin' Tags" about murder between Street Teams as Drops.
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.
Method Man's fourth album, entitled 4:21: The Day After is due to be released in August 2006 With guest appearances from the likes of Ginuwine, Ol' Dirty Bastard, RZA, Redman,Fat Joe, Megan Rochell, Raekwon, Lauryn Hill, and much more, with a star lineup of producers, Havoc, Erick Sermon,Scott Storch, Mathematics, Mr. Porter, and RZA.
Method Man has two sisters, Terri and Missy. Method Man has two children; a son born in 1997, and a daughter born in 1998.
Method Man has been featured in the Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, Def Jam Vendetta, and Def Jam: Fight for NY video games.
Recently, Method Man has had a conflict with New York radio host Wendy Williams. Williams talked about Method Man's wife having cancer on air, which was something he had wanted to keep private. He said that people who lived next door to him didn't even know, but Williams made it public over the radio. [1]
Aliases
- The Ghost Rider (from the comic Ghost Rider)
- Johnny Blaze (from the comic Ghost Rider)
- Meth
- Mr. Meth
- Hot Nikkels
- Hot Nixon
- Big John Stud
- MZA ("The Mizza")
- Shakwon (5% Nation "righteous name")
- Tical
- The Iron Lung
- The Panty Raider
- Methtical
- Metaphysical Man
- Ticallion Stallion
- John-John McLane
- John-John Blazini
- Johnny Dangerous
- Long John Silver
- Johnny Storm (from the fantastic four's Human torch)
- Ma
- John Doe
- Hot Nix (from Hot Nixon)
- The Shaolin Assassin
- Pepe la Pue
- The Blunted One
- Blaziblaza
- Mef
- Mr. Mef
- John Blaze-Zeeny
- The M-E-T-H-O-D Man
Samples
- Download sample of "Sub Crazy" from Tical
Discography
Albums
Album Name | Release Date | Status |
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Tical | November 15, 1994 | Platinum U.S. |
Tical 2000: Judgement Day | November 17, 1998 | Platinum U.S. |
Blackout! (with Redman) | September 28, 1999 | Platinum U.S. |
Tical 0: The Prequel | May 18, 2004 | Gold U.S. |
4:21...The Day After | August 29 , 2006 |
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"
- 2006 "Say" (with Lauryn Hill)
- 2006 "Ya Mean" (with Fat Joe & Styles P)
- 2006 "Presidential MC" (with Raekwon & Rza)
Unreleased songs
- "Mr. Meth" aka "Wu Headbanger"
- "A Bitch is a Bitch"
- "Ice Cream Man"
- "Lost In the Masquerade" feat.Lauryn Hill
- "Take the Heat"
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","Raw Hide" (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)
- 1995 "Evil Streets Remix" (12" vinyl single by Onyx)
- 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)
- 1997 "The Roof" video (from the Mariah Carey album "Butterfly")
- 1998 "Well All Rite Cha" (from the Redman album Doc's Da Name 2000)
- 1998 "Bulworth (They Talk About It While We Live It)" (from the Bulworth soundtrack)
- 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)
- 1998 "And Justice For all" ( from the Wu-Tang Killa Beez The Swarm compilation]])
- 1998 "Half Man Half Amazin" (from the Pete Rock album Soul Survivor)
- 1999 "Rumble" (from the U-God album 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 "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)
- 1999 "Rap Phenomenon" (from the Notorious B.I.G. album Born Again)
- 2000 "Know Your Role" (from "WWF Aggression"
- 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)
- 2002 "KB Ridin" (from the Killa Beez Compilation "The Sting")
- 2003 "Love @ 1st Sight" (from the Mary J. Blige album Love & Life)
- 2003 "Respect Mine" (from the Mathematics album Love, Hell Or Right)
- 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 The Lex Diamonds Story)
- 2003 "Noble Art" (from the IAM album Revoir Un Printemps)
- 2003 "Lyrical 44" (from compilation Def Jamaica
- 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)
- 2006 "9 Milli Bros." (from the Ghostface Killah album Fishscale)
- 2006 "Hellacious City" (from the Bigg Steele album "Chronicles of Bigg Steele Volume 2")
- 2006 "Iron God Chamber" (from the Masta Killa album Made in Brooklyn)
Filmography
- 2006 - CSI - Drops
- 2005 - Venom - Deputy Turner
- 2004 - Method & Red - Method Man ( TV )
- 2004 - The Wire - Cheese
- 2004 - Soul Plane - Muggsy
- 2004 - Garden State - Diego
- 2004 - My Baby's Daddy - No Good
- 2003 - Scary Movie 3 - Himself
- 2002 - Stung - Himself
- 2001 - How High - Silas
- 1999 - Black & White - Himself
- 1998 - Belly - Shameek
- 1997 - Cop Land - Shondel
- 1997 - One Eight Seven - Dennis Broadway
- 1996 - The Great White Hype - Himself
Music Videos
With Wu-Tang Clan
- Da Mystery Of Chessboxin
- Gravel Pit
- Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin a F*** With
- M.E.T.H.O.D. Man
- C.R.E.A.M
- Triumph
- Proteck Ya Neck
- Proteck Ya Neck ( The Jump Off )
- The Worst ft. Onyx
Solo
- You Are All I Need ft. Mary J. Blige
- Bring Da Pain
- Hit 'em High ft. Busta Rhymes,B-Real,Coolio,LL Cool J
- Break Ups To Make Ups ft. D'Angelo
- Judgement Day
- How High Remix ft. Redman
- Y.O.U. ft. Redman
- Da Rockwilder ft. Redman
- Love At First Sight ft. Mary J. Blige,P.Diddy
- La Rhumba ft. RZA
- 4,3,2,1 ft. LL Cool J,Redman,DMX
- Grand Finale ft. DMX,Ja Rule,Nas
- Symphony 2000 ft. EPMD,Lady Luck,Redman
- What's Happening ft. Busta Rhymes
- The Show
- The Prequell ft. Streetlife
- N 2 Gether Now ft. Limp Bizkit
- How High Part 2 ft. Redman,Tony Braxton
- Round & Round ft. Jonell
- Still On It ft. Ashanti,Paul Wall
- Tear It Off ft. Redman
- Ice Cream ft. Raekwon,Ghostface,Cappadonna
Only Apperance No Rap
- Big Pun - It's So Hard
- Cypress Hill - Lowrider
- Redman - Whatever Man
- Xzibit - X
- Ol'Dirty Bastard - Brooklyn Zoo
External links
- Method Man official site
- Wuforever Method Man Interview
- Method Man at the Original Hip-Hop Lyrics Archive
- Method Man bio and pics
- Method Man at the IMDB
- Method Man - 4:21...The Day After. (Online article) MusicRemedy.com. Retrieved on July 11, 2006.