A Grammy-winning founding member of the legendary hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man is an American rapper, songwriter, and actor whose career has spanned more than three decades. Born Clifford Smith Jr. in Hempstead, New York, in 1971 and raised in Staten Island, he helped form Wu-Tang Clan in 1992 alongside RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa.

Wu-Tang's landmark debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993) is widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop albums ever made, with its standout track "Method Man" turning the rapper into a breakout star. He followed in 1994 with his platinum solo debut, Tical on Def Jam, which debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200. His 1995 duet with Mary J. Blige, "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By," won the 1996 Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.