Method Man Opens Up About Depression, New Approach to Music and Wu-Tang
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Kevin Hart is back with a new look, a new name, and a new season of “Gold Minds.” After giving flowers to the world’s greatest comedians in Season 1 and 2, Kevin’s going even bigger for Season 3 and sitting down with Wu-Tang staple and Power actor, Method Man. An artist that has been heavily highlighted in the makings of Hip-Hop especially during the 90s, Method Man, has gone on to evolve past the man many first met him as. From Hip-Hop phenomenon to leading actor on STARZ, there’s much more to his story and he had much to share. During his conversation with Hart, the two discuss Method Man’s legacy and being part of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop performance at the GRAMMYs, his career highs, how he deals with depression, transitioning to acting and his role on the hit television show Power, the future of Hip-Hop, and the artists he listens to today.
When asked about how the GRAMMYs celebrated Hip-Hop’s 50th Birthday Method Man stated:
“Well, we got a call from Questlove, and anytime Questlove calls, you answer. He’s synonymous with just greatness, Black excellence, period. They were like, we’re doing the 50th anniversary and we want Meth to be a part of it. My first thought is how are they gonna fit Wu-Tang in this whole thing, we’ll probably do “C.R.E.A.M.” something like that. But it wasn’t a Wu-Tang thing, it was just myself. Then I started seeing a bunch of different other artists’ names on there and I’m like, how are they gonna pull this off? We got like 27 artists, and I know the Grammys ain’t gonna let us all do these big montages. But like I said, when Questlove calls, you answer, and you trust the process. And it went off without a hitch. The funny thing is, they wouldn’t even televise the rap category back in the day. So to have a 50th anniversary, and to be on that Grammy stage after winning a Grammy in pre-telecast myself, bittersweet again — it felt great. It was like an homage to the old and the new. People enjoyed it, some people said it was the best part of the show. And I think the Grammys should take note for future reference, you know what I mean?”
Method Man also touched on some of his biggest highlights of his career.
“Performing with Mary J., like that’s a super duper high for me. Meeting B.I.G. outside Club Muse and discussing doing a record together. Mutual respect. Bumping into Tupac and him being a fan, that was crazy to me right there. This was in the midst of all the Bad Boy and Death Row things going on.”
As many of today’s artists tend to have mental struggles, Method Man opened up about his bout with depression and didn’t spare any details.
“I was my own shadow, meaning I was in my own way. I had to get out of my own way. I 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. So I needed those little moments where I need to be in control of what goes on in my life. 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…”
Though artists have elevated just a smidge since his debut, Method Man has a few of today’s young rising stars on his playlists and gave a glimpse into who he’s listening to as well as how his love for the art of music continues to grow strong.
“I do this for love, I enjoy being creative. Moments of stress, I could always write my way out of it. Depression, same thing. Just to be able to create something, anything from nothing and to make it — and to present it to whoever and they respect it enough that they put these labels on you like “icon” and “top 5” and “legend” — that’s the payoff of this whole freakin’ thing. And to know that it took the least bit of effort because you don’t — when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. To this day, I’m still learning that it has no boundaries, it has no bars, you can’t cage it, you can’t say this is what it’s supposed to be, it can’t have gatekeepers because it won’t have room to grow if it does. With that being said, a lot of these new artists, I’m starting to really tune in and understand what it is. And a lot of the kids are coming back to lyrical content, which I love. But they still have these eclectic bottoms — these beats and it’s working, it’s working for them. And me having this open mind, and seeing where it’s going and what it could be, I’m just excited to see what lies ahead.
I give everybody a chance really, I keep my horizons real broad. But people who 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, Mickey Diamond, if y’all ain’t up on Mickey, Mickey gets busy. Love Mickey. Shooter, my guy — Stove God — Stove God is where it’s at, I left him out of a list before, and even some of the newer cats, the obvious of course Kendrick. I love ScHoolboy Q, he’s one of ours. That’s Meth all day right there.”
With the wrap of Hulu’s Wu-Tang Saga series and in the honor of Hip-Hop, Method Man spilled on the group and their unusual record deals.
“There was never in the history of music, where a group signed as a group with the option to sign as solo artists with other labels. Labels, the one thing they don’t do, is play nice with each other. They’re not gonna share money. So to have me on Def Jam, GZA on Geffen, and Raekwon at the home team Loud — you had these three labels working together for our cause. Unheard of, unheard of. Which, in terms of changing the game, that’s changing the game right there. You had people actually asking for Wu-Tang deals.”
Enjoy the full Method Man conversation on SiriusXM’s Laugh Out Loud Radio.
