Method Man Speaks On The "Changing Of The Guard In Hip Hop"

BY Erika Marie 30.4K Views
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Method Man
The Wu-Tang icon explained his transition from artist to actor and spoke on the "so-called gatekeepers" not having "much use for a 44-year-old rapper."

Television audiences have been seeing much more from Method Man in recent years and he has been impressing at every step. The Wu-Tang Clan icon certainly isn't the first rapper to shift his career focus to acting, but he is quickly climbing the ranks to be one of the most successful. Those who have been diehard fans of Meth have wanted him to return with new music at every corner, but in an interview for his Essence cover story, the Rap icon revealed that things haven't been easy behind the scenes.

“The higher-ups, the so-called gatekeepers didn’t have much use for a 50-year-old rapper,” Method Man said, referring to the shift that the music industry has gone through. “I guess my background turned some people off. Some people aren’t willing to give you a chance, especially when you’ve already had one and you kind of squandered it.”

Frederick M. Brown / Stringer / Getty Images

“There was a changing of the guard in hip-hop. I was cool with that. I had to evolve with the business and if that meant acting, so be it. I was going to throw all my eggs in one basket," he added. When asked about his ongoing reputation as a Rap sex symbol, Meth admitted that he doesn't "understand that sh*t" and being viewed in such a way was never his goal.

“People like attention. I’m the same as everybody else. But at the end of the day, take me seriously, not lightly.” Check out more from the Power star's Essence spread below.




About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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