Born:
April 01, 1971
in
New York
Best Known For:
Being part of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Early-life:
Clifford Smith was born in New York on April 1, 1971. He was raised in Staten Island, where he lived with his mother and two sisters, but also spent time with his now estranged father on Long Island. He says his childhood was difficult, which is why he is reluctant to talk about it, but has admitted to dropping out of high school. He was also a keen lacrosse player in his teens, and his stage name was inspired by a 1979 martial arts movie.
Career:
Method Man claims to have worked odd jobs and sold drugs to make ends meet. His big break came in 1992, when he joined forces with fellow Staten Island rappers the Wu-Tang Clan. Their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was acclaimed as an instant hip-hop classic. He continued to work with them on follow-ups, but was apparently less happy when his management decided to branch out with its own clothing brand (Wu Wear) and beauty salon (Wu Nails). Method Man also launched a successful solo career, winning a Grammy in 1995 for his duet with Mary J Blige - I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need to Get By. He's also carved out a career as an actor, taking regular roles in acclaimed TV series Oz, and The Wire, and cropping up in movies including Garden State, Soul Plane and Meet the Spartans. His recent movies include The Wackness and Red Tails.
Quote:
On why he doesn't rap about his drug-dealing past: 'I hated having to go out on the block and scramble — that's the worst job in the world.'
Trivia:
Was considered for the role of Jango Fett in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002).