Method Man’s career in the corners of hip-hop is one to remember. From being a key member of the Wu-Tang Clan to developing an extensive solo career, he really has done it all. However, there is a vast amount of celebrities from all different paths that have difficulty conquering their personal health. Most of them are kept under lock and key and for good reason. But, in this case, Method Man wanted to be transparent about his arduous trek to feel well again.
Other artists featured in this piece were Ludacris, Common, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, and Wiz Khalifa. The interview was conducted with Men’s Health on August 1, and Method Man wanted to be as open as possible. Specifically focusing on the biggest part of his career during the 90s and early 2000s, the years of the Wu-Tang Clan. The meteoric rise to fame was so much for Method Man at the time, that he really did not take it as seriously as he should have. “It went from this childhood joy to this euphoric feeling of celebrity to feeling inadequate and not good enough,” he said.
What brought Method Man’s confidence and happiness back was becoming liable for what he could control. “What can I control? That’s what I did; I took control after that. I stopped valuing other people’s opinions, and instead of being my biggest critic, I became my biggest fan,” he explained. Other methods he experimented with were late gym sessions to aid in his fight with insomnia which lasted 18 months. All in all, he is in a better place, saying “Show that you love yourself. That’s all I’ve been doing. What people see now is just happiness.”
Why do you think so many celebrities struggle with mental health? What are your thoughts on Method Man and how he handled his situations throughout his career? We always want to hear what you have to say down in the comments section. Be sure to follow HNHH for everything Method Man and music-related news.
Method Man is a busy guy. Between acting, rapping, and just existing, there may be multiple reasons he can’t make every Wu-Tang Clan show. That’s the case with The Wu’s forthcoming trip to Greece.
With Meth missing the show, one fan reached out at first, asking for the Hip-Hop icon to reconsider:
“No method man means no real Wu. Please think again and make an exception. I know the reasons behind your absence and i totally understand but think about the fans also. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see all 9 Wu-Tang together. I was waiting my whole life for this. Please don’t do this to us!!!!! Love you!”
And then it went south as the fan blasted Method Man, showing where he dropped the n-word on him within the run of insults.
“You know what mr. Meth FUCK YOU, uou could at least read it. You don’t care about your fans, only thing you care is money, pussy ass n-gga. Get the fuck outta here you clown. I hope you make nothing but failures from this point on …. Bitch ass nigga. FUCK YOU!!!””
The class act that Method Man is, kept it cool: “Gotta love the fans I’m pretty sure someone will say I’m wrong or that I’m bullying for posting this, but if I didn’t, you all wouldn’t believe me.. I mean, he even used the N-word . and this is after professing his love for Wu-Tang I can’t make this up. With that being said, I’m sending love and light to this young man.. @pskopelitis“
Remember, fans, rappers are people too, and they have lives to live. You can see the message below.
Aging is a difficult part of life for some to cope with. Thankfully, due to the social media age, we’re constantly being reminded that life doesn’t begin to end after age 40. In fact, several of our favourite artists and entertainers are only getting better as they grow into mid-life, both mentally and physically. Among those constantly impressing us with their apparent ability to look younger every day is Method Man, who gave his Instagram followers a progress update straight from the gym on Saturday (June 24). In the video, the Wu-Tang star wears a white tank top and track pants, cooly lifting up his top to show off his washboard abs for the camera.
“Operation get rid of the muffin top ,” the multi-talent wrote in the caption, though there’s obviously no muffin top in sight. “For motivational purposes only,” Method Man added. “‘TRAINING IS COMMITMENT AND LIFESTYLE,’ POWERED BY #KILLERBEEPRE #TICALATHLETICS .” Clearly, all the hard work he’s put in has the New Yorker feeling himself, and based on the comments, it’s abundantly clear that the rest of the world is too.
“He’s married Carrie. [You’re] married Carrie ,” one user wrote, while countless others shared GIF replies perfectly portraying their lust. “I saw my hand run across it slowly… JESUS KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS! ,” another person joked.
Method Man’s appeal has been undeniably lately, whether at the gym or a work function. Earlier this month, Modern Family actress Julie Bowen couldn’t help but approach the legendary lyricist to let him know just how fine he is – a compliment which he graciously accepted, much to the internet’s enjoyment.
Keep scrolling to see Instagram’s thirsty reaction to Method Man’s latest gym video. Are you impressed by the 52-year-old’s dedication to staying in such great shape? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Wu-Tang Clan legend Method Man stopped by Kevin Hart’s Gold Minds podcast and they chopped it up. During the interview, the rap legend touched on many different topics with the comedy rock star. When asked about his thoughts on Hulu’s television series Wu-Tang: An American Saga, which depicts the story of the Wu and how they reached global success, he gave a candid response. Before diving into why he hadn’t seen an episode, he praised Wu-Tang founder RZA for changing the game. Additionally, Method Man explained that before they came out no one ever heard of groups making one giant deal and still being allowed to be signed to other labels.
“You had these three labels working together for our cause,” Meth told the comedian. Johnny Blaze noted to Hart that it was, “Unheard of, which in terms of changing the game, that’s changing the game.” Later in the interview, Method Man went on to say that seeing the story come to fruition on screen, he knew it was a no-brainer. However, when it came to actually watching the finished product, Methical wasn’t feeling it. He told the comic that many liberties were taken creating the script due to some guys having “open cases.”
Method Man Gives His Two Cents On Wu-Tang TV Series
Not only that, he shared with Hart, “I haven’t watched an episode personally, but I get the scripts ahead of time.” Method Man later said that it simply came down to everything not being for everybody. Kevin Hart pushed back asking if it was due to him not wanting to put his energy towards something being creative that he possibly didn’t align with. Hart continued saying, “‘I want to love it and keep it in the place of love.’” Meth quickly responded telling him he hit the “nail on the head.”
Furthermore, He revealed to the comic that he didn’t want to mess with the creative process. “Sometimes you just got to step back and keep the opinions to yourself,” Method Man told Hart. Moreover, the Hip Hop icon understood the need for embellishments and creative liberty to bring their story to the big screen. Have you watched the Wu-Tang series on Hulu? Let us know what you think below!
Sampling is fundamental to hip hop’s origins, though the art form has been the root of controversy for many years. Taking a portion of a song and working it into a brand-new creation is nothing unique. Sampling has walked a fine line between inspiration and theft for some time now—and not just in the hip hop world, but also in the pop realm. Marvin Gaye’s music catalog is iconic and is the source of many different hip hop samples.
Earlier this week, Ed Sheeran won a copyright infringement lawsuit for his song “Thinking Out Loud.” The actions against Sheeran were brought by the estate of one of the co-writers of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” The contention was that “Thinking Out Loud” directly copied “Let’s Get It On,” as the two songs share noticeable similarities. Sheeran’s win in the trial surprised many, as Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams went through a similar situation in 2014. The two were sued by Gaye’s family due to similarities between “Blurred Lines” and “Got To Give It Up.” The Gaye family was awarded $4 million.
This is a list of the best Marvin Gaye hip hop samples, listed in chronological order. His discography, consisting of 17 studio albums, has been sampled roughly hundreds different times. Take a look at the list below.
This classic RZA-produced song comes from Method Man’s debut album, the very first Wu-Tang solo album. “All I Need” samples “You’re All I Need to Get By,” a duet between Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. “All I Need” utilizes the song’s lead melody in its instrumental and sticks to the love-oriented content of the original sample. The sample is even more prominent in the song’s more famous remix from 1995. The update features Mary J. Blige on the hook, directly incorporating the sample’s chorus into the song. “All I Need,” specifically the remix, was highly influential in paving the way for hip hop love songs and R&B duets.
Kanye West – “Spaceship” (2004)
This highlight from Kanye West’s classic debut album, “Spaceship” samples Gaye’s “Distant Lover” from 1973’s Let’s Get It On. Produced by West, “Spaceship” brilliantly incorporates three parts of “Distant Lover” to create the main instrumental melody. The sample is sped up in a “chipmunk soul” fashion, Kanye’s signature production style during The College Dropout era. “Distant Lover” is sped up, chopped, and looped to create a soulful melody for Kanye, GLC, and Consequence to rap over. The use of a Marvin Gaye sample in hip hop the way “Spaceship” at the time represented the rising popularity of soulful loops.
JAY-Z – “American Dreamin’” (2007)
Marvin Gaye’s “Soon I’ll Be Loving You Again” from 1976’s I Want You is very sexual in its lyrics and instrumentation. The song’s content makes JAY-Z’s “American Dreamin’” such a creative flip. The song, produced by Sean C & LV, Diddy, and Mario Winans, completely repurposes “Soon I’ll Be Loving You Again” without altering the vocals. “American Dreamin’” is about chasing a dream from a life of crime and poverty into a secure and luxurious lifestyle. The Marvin song is looped to soundtrack the cinematic images Jay paints on “American Dreamin,” making the sample more painful than passionate.
Like “Spaceship,” Travis Scott’s 2014 track “Backyard” also samples Marvin Gaye’s “Distant Lover.” What sets “Backyard” apart is that it samples a live performance of “Distant Lover” from 1974. “Backyard” utilizes the performance’s live instrumentation and Marvin Gaye’s commentary when he talks to the crowd during the song. The song makes for a complete reimagining of a small portion of the sample. It is a creative way to flip the song, resulting in one of Travis Scott’s most underrated tracks.
Jay Rock – “Money Trees Deuce” (2015)
Most Marvin Gaye hip hop samples draw from his famous studio albums. Jay Rock’s “Money Trees Deuce” samples “‘T’ Cleans Up / Police Station” from Gaye’s 1972 soundtrack to Trouble Man. The sampled horns are just one of many unique sounds on that soundtrack. The horns only appear in small portions, but “Money Trees Deuce” makes that sound its primary backing. The final result makes for one of Jay Rock’s best songs and a solid sequel to the original “Money Trees.”
The Game – “Savage Lifestyle” (2016)
The Game’s ninth studio album, 1992, is a concept album based around the events he witnessed growing up in LA in 1992. The album’s opening track, “Savage Lifestyle,” places the listener in the middle of the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. The song samples Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” from What’s Going On. The Game paints a picture of civil unrest in the song. “Savage Lifestyle” directly matches the content of “Inner City Blues.” The Game uses the Marvin Gaye sample to build the intensity of his song before transitioning into a rugged beat switch, depicting the breaking tension between citizens and government.
Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart Part 5” (2022)
Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part 5” samples the title track from I Want You. In the song, Kendrick plays with the sample. He uses Marvin’s voice for the chorus and removes the drums toward the song’s end. The sample is barely altered, with Kendrick essentially rapping over the original track. Still, the sample is very fitting for Kendrick to rap from different perspectives, making for a thought-provoking track.
Since’s GloRilla’s 2022 debut on the hip-hop scene, she has received numerous cosigns from veterans in the genre. Her latest cosign coming from Hip Hop legend, Method Man, can be identified as a strong stamp of approval. Last Tuesday, footage of Method Man’s interview during the 2023 Grammy Awards resurfaced. In the interview, Method expressed his love for GloRilla’s music and how she is a big name in his household. “I don’t really listen to much [of] today’s music,” Method Man replied to Hecht’s question. “But right now, who’s relevant in my household? Who they playing in my house? Glo,” he added. Additionally, he revealed the two met and he was not confident she knew who he was. “That speaks volumes to her character. Love her,” he said after highlighting how nice she was.
The resurfacing of this clip caused confusion amongst hip-hop fans after Method’s comment about her possibly not knowing him became the focus. Subsequently, many took to Twitter to discuss the possibility of her not being familiar with his catalog calling out the difference in the new generation’s influence in hip-hop. On Sunday, GloRilla took to her Instagram story to reshare the clip of his light-hearted interview and clear up the confusion.” I most definitely knew who you was lol big fan,” she said with a series of red hearts.
Moreover, a cosign from Method Man is deemed rare as he expressed how he does not really tune in to the newer generation as much. However, this is a meaningful cosign for hip-hop. His accolades include a Grammy and a host of RIAA-certified records. Additionally, he recently sat down with Kevin Hart to discuss mental health on his Gold Minds podcast. Method’s overall positive image in hip-hop adds to his gem-worthy status as a veteran.
Furthermore, Glorilla’s presence in hip-hop continues to grow within a year of her world debut. To celebrate the release of her hit single “F.N.F,” she has declared its release date as “National FNF Day.” The song is certified gold by the Recording Industry Association Of America. She has made one of the most astounding debuts into the industry at a quick rate.
Method Man is speaking candidly about his struggles with mental health. In a recent episode of Kevin Hart’s podcast Comedy Gold Minds, Method Man spoke openly about his mental health. He also talked about how he has been able to improve his overall well-being through therapy. The rapper, who is a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, shared his personal experiences and the impact that seeking therapy has had on his life. “I was my own shadow, meaning I was in my own way,” the rapper said.
“I had to get out of my own way… saw that I could not control the people around me, but I could control myself. One thing that stood out for me, when I was younger – basically being a little dirty kid with nothing, no control over where I lived, what I ate, where I slept. But I had these sports – football and lacrosse – there I had control and I was good at it.” Method Man then went on to explain the importance of checking in with yourself. “I had to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘I’m tired of myself. I want better for me, I have more to contribute, and start there.’ Self-check, absolutely. If you don’t, sooner or later, somebody else is gonna check you.”
Method Man On Expanding Beyond Rap
Essence magazine featured Method Man on their cover in February 2022, where the rapper discussed how he has explored new avenues due to the changes in the hip hop industry. According to him, the so-called gatekeepers in the industry didn’t have much use for a 44-year-old rapper. His background turned some people off. He feels that some people aren’t willing to give you a chance, especially if you’ve already had one and you squandered it.
Method Man also acknowledged that there was a changing of the guard in hip-hop and that he was cool with it. This doesn’t mean he’s out of the rap game, but he’s pursuing other creative avenues. He made it clear that if evolving with the business meant acting, he was willing to put all of his effort into it.
One of the Wu-Tang Clan’s many legends, Method Man, isn’t too caught up with the current rap sphere, and those are his words. Moreover, during the 2023 Grammys, he said that he doesn’t stay too in tune with what’s going on today. However, he did take the chance to shout out GloRilla, who Mef said is in heavy rotation in his household. Still, it seems like he might have eaten those words on not keeping up in a new interview on Gold Minds with Kevin Hart. During that conversation, Hart asked him who he’s listening to these days. In his answer, the New York MC shouted out fellow spitters from the state, saying that Griselda reminds him a lot of the Wu back in the day.
“I give everybody a chance, really, you know?” Method Man began his breakdown. “I keep my horizons real broad. People that stand out for me… Of course, the Griselda movement. Those dudes remind me so much of us back in the day. This kid Rome Streetz, Shootah, Mickey Diamond. If y’all ain’t up on Mickey, man, love Mickey. But my guy, oh… what’s my guy’s name? Oh, Stove God Cooks. *whistles* And even some of the newer cats. The obvious, of course, you know, Kendrick Lamar– I love ScHoolboy Q. He one of ours, man, like, that’s Mef all day right there.”
Method Man Is Reminded Of The Good Ol’ Wu-Tang Days Through Griselda
Speaking of legends alongside the newer guard, Griselda’s own Benny The Butcher recently reflected on pivotal advice that Jay-Z gave him. “The thing about Hov, man, he is who he say he is,” he told Math Hoffa. “He and Snoop, they remind me of each other. We had a bunch of conversations. He told me things that I didn’t want to hear, he told me things that I did want to hear- just all-around game. He was basically just telling me… basically trying to keep Griselda together.”
Of course, it’s easy to see the artistic parallels between a group like Griselda and one of Wu-Tang Clan’s caliber. However, that’s not to say that they’re merely a reiteration, as they carved out a whole new lane for themselves. With new releases coming pretty often from the camp (as recently as this week), we’re sure the accolades will precede any comparisons. For more news on the Wu-Tang Clan, Griselda, and Method Man, return to HNHH.
Rapper’s jobs before the fame can be surprising, fitting, or even random. Many artists had humble beginnings in the workforce. They needed money to pay for studio time, equipment, and other resources to start their music careers. Or, if music was not their end goal at the time, they just needed money to survive in the world.
Many rappers had retail jobs and had to interact with multiple people daily. For more eccentric artists, one wonders if their personalities brought in more customers. Either way, successful rappers are often walking testimonies for sticking to your goals in life. They overlap when advising this, but the results are right before our eyes. We’ve gathered seven rappers who had humble beginnings in the workforce and are now household names.
This rapper’s job before fame is interestingly fitting because their home state is well known. Method Man is a member of the Wu-Tang Clan and, therefore, a part of rap royalty. Fellow New York rapper Dave East portrays him in Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga,and Method Man has several acting roles of his own under his belt. But, before all of this, he had truly humble and fitting beginnings.
Method Man once had a job working at the Statue of Liberty. However, he never went to the top because he did not have enough time to while on break. This reasoning is practical but still ironic. When people work at landmarks, they are there to work – not enjoy it as a tourist. Meth spoke on it and more while on The Late Late Show with James Corden as Gabrielle Union reacted to all of his stories.
This is a rapper’s job before fame that is surprising just as it is fitting. It’s always interesting to see artists that had jobs in the music world become a part of it differently. Ab-Soul used to work at his grandfather’s record shop, Magic Disc Music. He briefly discussed this job in an interview in 2012 with Billboard and mentioned it in his song “Tree of Life” from his 2014 album, These Days.
However, he truly went in depth with expanding his experience there in an interview with NOISEY in 2013. Soul has always been an artist that was willing to share his origins. He often shares stories of the past through his music, too, which many listeners enjoy because it humanizes him and makes him more than just another rapper.
Kid Cudi – BAPE
Kid Cudi has always been a go-to artist for streetwear and its surrounding culture. His once having a job at the Bape NYC Store is not surprising, and it is very fitting. In an interview on Hot Ones, Cudi spoke about how at the time, getting that job meant more to him than getting a record deal.
This job came full circle for Cudi in three different ways. For one, he performed there as an artist in 2010. Then he did a joint cover story with NIGO, Bape’s founder, for Complex in 2019. Lastly, he did an official collaboration with the brand in 2021. This journey shows you truly never know how much of an impact your first job can have.
This is one of the most surprising jobs a rapper had before fame. Tyler, The Creator has always been a unique artist. His personality naturally commands attention, and his on-stage energy is unmatched – and unbridled. The over-the-top days of Odd Future are over, but they are a vital part of his past. His job at Starbucks is also a key part of his past. Listeners can imagine how distracting it must have been to have Tyler on their shift. He prides himself on making music the way he wants when he wants. It’s quite interesting to think of him in a setting where there is a chain of command. He even told a story about getting fired while on Jimmy Kimmel Live! – and (jokingly) declared he still hated his manager for firing him.
Nicki Minaj has not tried to keep her origins a secret. Many people know she used to work at Red Lobster. She spoke of specifically working at one in New York. Nicki Minaj’s personality and speaking voice are well known at this point. It’s interesting to think about her in a setting where she had to speak with people daily as a waitress. Nicki said she was not the best at that job specifically and being there unhappy helped steer her into her rap career. In a literal trip down memory lane, Nicki and Jimmy Fallon went to a Red Lobster as customers, and then they served real customers as waiters.
People across social media have called Rick Ross “Officer Ricky” for his entire career. This is done jokingly with a splash of insult too. Rick Ross’ exuberant lifestyle can be seen across various videos these days, but he, like most people, started with a regular job. Rick Ross used to be a Correctional Officer. Given the subject matter of Rozay’s raps about his past, this revelation had people simultaneously laughing and questioning.
When a picture of Ross in uniform began circulating in 20xx, he denied it was him. Of course, he later admitted it was after documentation records proved it. He discussed his time at this job in detail on the Full Send Podcast. He denied it initially shows he was trying to hide his past, unlike our other entries.
Diddy – Intern
This rapper’s job before fame may be the down-to-earth journey – at its core – on this list. Diddy went from being an intern for Andre Harrell to becoming the mogul we know today. For many, this is an inspiring story. Despite his literal name changes, Diddy has made himself a household name across the decades. For some, he’ll always be Biggie’s manager; to others, he’ll always be the founder of Bad Boy Records.
His managerial skills have been criticized, but he has been making business moves (which have also been attacked) for years. He’s reached the point where he can advise a new generation of artists because he has seen the music industry change in real-time. Many people have praised Diddy’s work ethic over the years and the results speak for themselves.
What are some rapper jobs that surprised you? Let us know in the comments section.
and this is after professing his love for Wu-Tang I can’t make this up. With that being said, I’m sending love and light to this young man.. 
,” the multi-talent wrote in the caption, though there’s obviously no muffin top in sight. “For motivational purposes only,” Method Man added. “‘TRAINING IS COMMITMENT AND LIFESTYLE,’ POWERED BY #KILLERBEEPRE 
#TICALATHLETICS 
.” Clearly, all the hard work he’s put in has the New Yorker feeling himself, and based on the comments, it’s abundantly clear that the rest of the world is too.
JESUS KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS! 
,” another person joked.
