As we enter the second half of our alphabetical voyage through Hip Hop, I felt it was a good time to reiterate exactly what we hope to achieve with The Hip Hop ABCs. The Internet is jam-packed with publications and blogs trying to determine hip hop supremacy. That is not what we're doing here. This list of artists or groups that best represent each letter of the alphabet was born of a discussion on my Facebook page and remains a celebration of some of the finest artists hip hop has given the world. We continue to debate positively and allow many voices to be heard. These articles are my words but they are just an extension of those conversations. We encourage your input in the comment section and want your vote in the polls. Ultimately, you decide who wins.
This week, you chose alliterative Method Man as most noteworthy of all hip hop artists whose names begin with the Letter 'M.'
Method Man is the rare artist who seems equally adept at carving a space for himself, whether it be as part of the mighty Wu-Tang Clan, one-half of a duo with Red Man, or as a solo artist. Like many others in the game, his career lept from hooks and bars to TV and movie sets. Despite having never smoked anything besides a rare cigar at a bachelor party, How High, Method Man’s 2001 insta-classic for marijuana enthusiasts, entertained me to the point that I reprogrammed my computer system's sounds to match quotes from the movie.
Musically, Enter the Wu-Tang is arguably one of the best rap albums of all time and Method Man’s self-titled track might be the diamond in that bag of gems. Even the way he catches his breath sounds cool. From the opening skit to the very last grimy snare, the song is a shining example of exactly why the '90s are considered to be hip hop’s golden age. At least seven albums and countless feature appearances later, it’s safe to say Method Man is still making a good impression.
Who are you feeling the most for the Letter N? Vote below.
Infinite Skillz is a Hip Hop fan and emcee. Click here to find out more about his music.
This article appears in May 21-27, 2015.