The Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), is widely regarded as a groundbreaking and influential hip-hop record.
Among the many standout tracks on the album is the B-side hit, “Method Man”, which introduced the world to one of the group’s most charismatic members. But why did Method Man get his own song on the album? And how did it become such a beloved track?
The song itself is a mix of hardcore beats and pop culture references, which RZA likened to the style of duo Das EFX. Method Man, whose real name is Clifford Smith, was known as Shaquan before the success of the song led to everyone calling him Method Man. It became his nickname and eventually his stage name. It’s interesting to note that Method Man is not just a catchy chorus, but a concept that refers to his love of smoking weed. In the song, he refers to himself as the “Panty Raider”, a nickname that was passed on to him by the streets. As the song gained popularity, it became clear that Method Man was the perfect name for him.
The decision to make “Method Man” the next single and give it a video was supported by the entire Wu-Tang Clan. RZA said that everyone in the group agreed that they should shine a spotlight on Method Man.