One of the genre’s most dynamic duos, they have remarkably complementary deliveries. If Method Man and Redman told you they were separated at birth, you might believe them. Method Man & Redman Songs (“Da Rockwilder,” “How High (LP Version)” “Part II,” “Symphony 2000) He rapped nursery rhymes on “Method Man,” but here he deftly flips a kid’s show tune (Annie’s “Tomorrow”) into haunted menace: “Off the set, comin’ to your projects / Take it as a threat, better yet it’s a promise / Comin’ from a vet on some old Vietnam s–t / N-a, you can bet your bottom dollar, hey, I bomb s–t.” His lyrics are sharper, less reliant on shifting delivery every other line. “Bring The Pain” is essentially a “Method Man” sequel, but Meth refines everything that made his first single a success. The indelible hook is literally just Meth spelling his name: “M-E-T-H-O-D Man.” Such was the power of his charisma, delivery, and gift for melody.
The combination of rough and brash raps, his blunt-addled rasp, and his polished pop sensibilities was electric. In a group with eight of the world’s most gifted and distinctive rappers, he was the star. “Method Man,” the second single from Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), arguably eclipsed almost every other song on the celebrated album, at least in the popular consciousness.
Method Man’s Key Songs (“Method Man,” “Bring the Pain,” “I’ll Be There For You / You’re All I Need to Get By” (Puff Daddy Mix) Even with his foot on the neck of his foes, he had a remarkable gift for elevating your spirit and expanding your mind. He aimed to – and succeeded in – offering more than rhymes crafted to destroy the competition. Ultimately, though, Method Man will forever be regarded as one of the most charismatic, lyrically vivid, and technically proficient rappers of all time. He starred in the 2001 stoner comedy How High, had a recurring role on a revered HBO crime drama The Wire, and played a small role in beloved indie dramedy Garden State. With over 100 acting credits, his filmography is as diverse as his discography. While the rest of Meth’s solo discography never gained the critical acclaim and enduring reverence of Wu compatriots like Ghostface Killah, he remained relevant by crushing every guest feature, riding for the Wu, and becoming a force in pop culture. (Over the course of his decades-long career, he’s guested on over 800 songs.) Then, he broke blunt wraps with Redman and forged one of the most renowned duos in genre history. He carved out a lane separate from Wu-Tang while bringing more fans into the fold. Listen to Method Man’s best songs on Apple Music or Spotify.Īfter he brought the pain on his 1994 solo Def Jam debut, Tical, Meth became one of the most sought-after collaborators in rap.