Method Man

Clifford Smith Jr., known professionally as Method Man, is a rapper and actor from Staten Island, New York, and a founding member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. Widely regarded as the most charismatic, accessible, and commercially successful individual member of Wu-Tang, Method Man's booming baritone, smooth flow, and natural charm made him the Clan's public face during hip-hop's most transformative decade. His debut solo album "Tical" (1994) — produced almost entirely by RZA — was a dark, hazy landmark of East Coast rap, while his collaboration with Redman "Blackout!" (1999) was one of hip-hop's most celebrated partnerships. He won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" with Mary J. Blige, and his acting career includes roles in "The Wire," "The Deuce," and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." As Wu-Tang Clan's most commercially prolific member, Method Man's legacy spans three decades of undiminished relevance.