Method Man asks modern rappers how they're making so much 'f**kin' money', says he used to make $2,500 a show
Method Man is left vexed by the topic of wealth for younger generation rappers. Method Man is, of course, a longstanding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, the legendary hip-hop group that has often been regarded as pioneers by fans and critically acclaimed as highly influential on the genre.
The Wu-Tang Clan helped popularize and develop the East Coast hip-hop and hardcore hip-hop styles, and in 2014, publishers such as NME hailed them as one of the most influential groups of the last decade.
Headlines about modern rappers are regularly made about their wealth and if you browse through a couple of their videos on YouTube, you're likely to find a music video or two where such rappers showcase money in their hands as if they're about to feed pigeons at a local park. They're artistes, celebrities and they've earned it, or were, at least, clever enough to leverage the marketing game to their benefit, but it has left a big question mark in the mind of one Method Man.
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On March 23, an interview video with Method Man and Math Hoffa started floating around the Internet in which the Wu-Tang Clan star wondered how new rappers are making so much money.
"We’re in the era now where these kids, they got more money than, son …. I couldn’t imagine,” Method Man said adding "I still ain’t takin’ private jets and I think I earned that! Where they gettin’ this money? I wanna know. Like they got a deal or some sh*t?"
He continued. "No f**king way that they flyin’ private - like that money long as f**k because we talking at least a minimum of 30 grand. That’s round trip. Where are they getting this money from? Can somebody tell me? I wanna know where they’re getting this money from. I need that hustle."
Hoffa expressed that the private jets could just be rentals. "I didn’t say they buyin’ em. They payin’ to fly the private jet but I’m saying they doing it all the time," Method Man replied. "N****, I used to complain having to save half my f**kin’ - when I worked at the Statue - half my check for car fare. $1.75. We’re talkin’ at least 30 to 50 grand a trip. Where are they gettin’ this f**king money from and still pay a mortgage? Migos probably get a 100 grand a piece or something like that."
Hoffa then noted that it's most likely because streams, club appearances, shows and features add to the money. Method Man remained puzzled: "Where is this sh*t coming from?" and argued that "You can't see it."
"Nobody really listen to your music like that and sh*t. Where’d you get this f**kin’ money? I just want to know. It boggles my muthaf**kin’ mind. Every penny that I got, I know where it came from. I know exactly what the process was to go through to get that and sh*t like that and I still don’t live like no muthaf**kin’ Rockefeller. Not saying I can’t, but I still don’t. Where do you get these resources, my n****?"
Earlier in the interview, Method Man recalled how in his early days he was "getting $2,500 a show" and "I'm doing shows every fucking day, seven days a week." He said, "I had to tell the manager, 'Raise the price.' $5,000, I'm still getting shows every — 'Riase the f**king price,' next thing I know it gets to a point where a n***a getting $25,000 a f**king show." He adds, "You look at your bank account one day and it's like, "Wait, where the f**k did all this sh*t come from?'"
Watch the full video below. Method Man starts speaking at around the 3:45-minute mark.
Method Man's net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Method Man currently has a net worth of $14 million. That's two million short of what 26-year-old rapper Lil Uzi Vert (who recently had a $24M diamond implanted on his forehead) makes and whose net worth is currently $16M. Lil Uzi Vert has been active in music since 2010, as opposed to Method Man who has been in the scene since 1992.