Last Updated on February 26, 2024
Clifford Smith, nicknamed Method Man, is one of the richest rappers in the world. He is most famous for being a member of the Wu-tang Clan, an American hip-hop group. He started off his music career with his father’s influence in 1992 with his solo song “36 Chambers” on the Wu-tang Clan’s debut album “Enter the Wu-Tang.” Subsequently, Method Man won the 1996 Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Group or Duo.
Aside from spitting hot bars in the studio, Method Man is also an actor. He has featured in movies like “Garden State,” “One Eight Seven,” and “Belly.” He was also featured in television shows like HBO’s “Oz,” “The Wire,” “The Twilight Zone,” and the crime series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Clifford Smith Jr. |
Popular Name: | Method Man |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | March 2, 1971 |
Age: | 52 years |
Parents: | Genola Smith (Mother), Clifford Smith Snr. (Father) |
Siblings: | Terri Smith and Missy Smith |
Birth Place: | Hempstead, Long Island, New York |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | African- American |
Education: | New Dorp High School |
Marital Status: | Married |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | Tamika Smith (m. 2001) |
Children: | Shakuan Smith, Raekwon Smith, Cheyenne Smith |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | $14 million |
Source of Wealth: | Rapper, Songwriter, Actor |
Height: | 6ft3 (1.91 m) |
Weight: | 92 kg (203 lbs) |
Early life and Career Information
Method Man was born in Hempstead, Long Island, on March 2, 1971, as Clifford Smith Jr. His parents were Genola Smith and Clifford Smith Snr. Not much is known about his childhood because he decided to keep that aspect of his life private.
He was introduced to music and poetry by his father. His parents divorced when he was a child, and he has two sisters, Missy and Terri.
Due to their parents’ separation, Clifford and his siblings had to juggle living with their father in Long Island and their mother in Staten Island. He schooled at New Dorp High School, where he and rapper Remedy became friends.
Clifford got the stage name Method Man from the 1979 film “The Fearless Young Boxer,” a.k.a Method Man. His music career began in 1992 when he formed the Wu-tang Clan with his friends. RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa were the initial members of the Wu-tang Clan. This led to his rise in popularity, and as a result, he began singing hip songs and has even won a Grammy.
Outside of his music career, Method Man nurtured a career in acting. He has acted in movies like “Belly,” “How High,” and “Garden State.” He also played supporting roles in “The Wackness,” “Venom,” and “Red Tails.”
Method Man’s contract with Wu-Tang Clan was unique in that it gave members the freedom to sign with any record label and release solo albums. With that in mind, Method Man signed with Def Jam. In 1994, his first solo album, “Tical,” charted number four in the United States, selling over one million copies. “You’re All I Need to Get By,” a remixed single from the album, earned a Grammy Award in 1996.
In the same year, he first collaborated with American rapper Redman on the smash hit song “How High,” which laid the groundwork for their future collaborations. A year later, Method Man appeared in the film “The Great White Hype” as himself, alongside Busta Rhymes, B-Real, Coolio, and LL Cool J, for the Space Jam Soundtrack “EmHigh.”
Method Man released “Tical2000: Judgement Day,” his second solo album, in 1998. This was a huge hit that earned platinum and gold certificates. It was also awarded a double-platinum certification.
In 2000, Wu-tang Clan released their third album, “The W,” which got certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). 2004 saw the release of Method Man’s third solo album, “Tical 0: The Prequel”. Despite not being as successful as his second album, this one did well and was certified gold by the RIAA.
Method Man released three more solo albums; “4:21…The Day After,” “The Meth Lab,” and “Meth Lab Season 2: The Lithium.” The Grammy winner also has eight albums with the Wu-tang Clan and has collaborated with rappers like Redman, Ghostface Killah, and Rae-Kwon on several albums.
In 2012, The Source ranked him among the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. It’s incredible to think that most of his solo tracks sold millions of copies at the early stages of his music career.
Despite his illustrious career, Method Man has had his fair share of legal troubles. In 2007, he was charged with DWI, driving a car with an expired registration, unlawful possession of marijuana, and criminal possession of marijuana. In 2009, he was arrested for tax violations amounting to $33,000 and was sentenced to the penalty of paying $106,000.
Method Man’s Net Worth
Currently, Method Man has a net worth of $14 million.
Being one of the most popular faces of the Wu-tang Clan, Method Man has collaborated with various artists throughout his career. He has six solo albums, eight albums he made with the Wu-tang Clan, and various other singles. He has also been featured in several movies, contributing to his net worth.
Lessons from the Life of Method Man
Keep Pushing
Method Man’s first song was not a hit. However, he kept rapping, and eventually won a Grammy. You might not have it all figured out but do not be discouraged. Put one foot forward, then the next, and things will fall into place before you know it.
It’s Okay to Explore.
Method Man is an entertainer, and he found more than one means to do this. He did not limit himself to his career in music, but also nurtured one in acting. One thing to learn from this is that we can express ourselves and chase our dreams through more than one channel. Do not let anything limit you from being more.