A Method to His Madness

By Shaneen Murray

TICAL O: THE PREQUEL

Def Jam Recording Artist, Method Man held a special listening party and concert for the May release of his new Album, Tical O: The Prequel at the House of Blues, Chicago. Meth’s listening party took place in the lobby, bar area of the House of Blues Hotel. The spot was dimly lit with candles everywhere and colorful paintings on the walls. The atmosphere was smooth and low key, contrary to Method Man’s highly energetic attitude. There were complimentary cocktails and appetizers  courstesy of Def Jam to keep the crowd occupied until the Method Man made his arrival. The DJ played several of Meth’s songs and collabos from the Wu Tang Clan to Mary J. Blige while the TV screens showed all of his music videos.

As Meth made his way through the crowd, sporting an all white Akademiks jogging suit and a black fitted NY baseball cap, everyone quickly rushed to the front to hear him speak. Meth stepped up to the mic and greeted everyone with his unforgettable, raspy voice and then introduced his new CD which features songs with Missy Elliott, Snoop Dogg, Ghostface, Busta Rhymes, Luadcris and his partner in crime Redman and then asked us to listen. Instead of listening to his CD, fans bombarded him with pictures and autographs, which without hesitation he graciously obliged.

After he took a few pictures and signed a few autographs he abruptly headed for the door but before he made it out he turned around and came back to the party. He announced to everyone that he was disappointed with them! “If you love what you do, you ain’t never gotta work a day in your life, I have the easiest job in the world and I love it!” “I didn’t mind taking pictures and signing autographs, I just wanted one person to listen to my music- that’s what y’all are here for!” Method Man made it quite clear that he was not going to devote anymore of his time to his listening party and that he was headed to his room so that he could save his energy for his fans that were waiting for his concert performance. Needless to say, some people did leave immediately after Meth’s appearance, having indulged in the food and drinks that he provided for his “fans”.

However, true Method Man fans along with net workers hung around to actually listen to what the rapper had to say on his new album. Those who were still in attendance had the chance to win tickets to his HOB performance by answering correctly to Method Man trivia questions. I guess many people fail to realize that to the artist/rapper it’s more about their music, their craft. They want people to know and love their music not just them, as the celebrity!

Now, I’ll be perfectly honest with you, it’s a little hard to overlook “Method Man” the “celeb”! His onstage performance was excellent, which explains why his fans want to get up close and personal with him. Meth performed his hottest hits including “M.E.T.H.O.D. Man”, “Bring The Pain” and “Suspect Niggas”. For the ladies Meth gave us “Ice Cream” and “All I Need” and for his weed smokers he performed “How High” and the “How High Remix”. Meth chanted out to his audience “smoke wit ya boy, c’mon don’t be scared, LET’S GET HIGH!” The crowd went wild and blunt smoke filled the air as Method Man and his weed smoking fans got smoked out.

Method Man also gave us a sneak preview of a few songs from the new album. He performed “The Model”, spitting verses like “you know I’m the shit as soon as you smell me!” He also performed his new single featuring Busta Rhymes, “What’s Happening”. Meth, standing way above 6 ft tall, got his groove on repeatedly saying “Don’t nobody rock a muthafuckin stage like I do”! He’s absolutely right about that, I’ve never seen that much energy on a stage from a one-man show!! Meth talked to his fans for a few saying, “Chicago, I don’t give a fuck where you go, who you see, the energy y’all give to me, I’ma give it back to y’all”. Meth fondly imitated Lil Jon saying “Yeah”, “I miss the shit outta Chi-town” and then he invited Chicago’s George Daniels, of George’s Music Room onto the stage to thank him for his continuous support. After George’s exit Meth admitted to the audience that he likes “the old shit”, in turn his DJ played the infamous song “Wu Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin to Fuck Wit”. As the crowd grew wild, Method Man dove into the crowd as if he were a rock star! The vibe was crazy cool and Meth knew it. After two more random dives into the crowd Meth gives high-fives and showers his fans and himself with bottled water. It’s totally obvious that Meth loves his fans in a special way.

Method Man shut the party down with his final song of the night, “Da Rockwilder” which had the whole house rockin!! As Meth’s fans intensely applauded his energetic performance, he graciously raised his arms in the air and bowed down as if to say he’s not worthy of his fan’s adoration! On the contrary, Method Man is quite worthy, after his head banger performance he took time out to meet and greet with his excited fans, this lasted an additional hour and a half! It’s not to often that artists stay after the show to shoot the breeze with their fans! During a post interview Meth admitted to me that his pride was a little hurt in regards to the listening party, “I put my time and effort into making the album, I felt that it was whack that they weren’t really listening, I see what Kanye West meant”.

The M.E.T.H.O.D. Man is definitely a rare gem. With his outstanding personality and his magnetic energy, he will have a strong fan base forever, especially in Chicago and we will be anxiously awaiting his return! Method Man’s new CD Tical O: The Prequel drops May 18, 2004. He will also be starring in the upcoming Comedy Soul Plane, which will be in theaters on May 29, 2004, and let me tell you that it is extremely funny (I had a sneak peak, sorry!)! You can currently watch for Meth as Alicia Keys’ leading man in her new video “If I Ain’t Got You” as well as his first video off the new album’s current single “What’s Happening” featuring Busta Rhymes. Check him out y’all, he’s everywhere! www.methodman.com   PUB