Meth Vs. Chef (Who’s Better?)
The Wu-Tang Clan was the most talented ensemble of rappers of all time. Every single member of the clan brought to the table their own unique story and take. But two of my favorite members of Wu-Tang are known as Method Man and Chef Raekwon. Throughout the history of the group, Meth and Chef always displayed a fun and healthy competitive relationship.
As most fans of the Wu, one of my favorite moments in their records was the intro to Method Man on Enter the Wu-tang. Here Chef and Meth are comically exchanging who is the most gruesome torturer.
So, here we have two of the most celebrated emcees of all time. Let’s take a look at some of their best songs.
Method Man From the Wu-Tang Clan
Cash Still Rules/Scary Hours (still don’t nothing move but the money)
While this song features both Raekwon and Meth, Meth has an incredible verse here. It’s one of my favorite rhymes he ever wrote. Take a quick look at these lyrics:
I remember sticking fiends at the one-six-ooh
When we was starving, ducking five-oh, paying ’em dues
Times is hard in the slums I’m from, they got us barred in
We warring and cage dodging, ripping and robbing
Method Man without a doubt proved himself to be a master wordsmith here. This rhyme has everything: cadence, imagery, and mind-blowing rhythm. It’s a tragic story he is displaying here, and the listener can really put themselves in Meth’s shoes because of his incredible songwriting.
Here’s another meth line from Shame On A N**** ,
You could never capture the Method Man’s stature
For rhyme and for rapture, got n***** resigning, now master
My style? Never!
I put the fucking buck in the wild kid, I’m terror
Razor sharp, I sever
I will say that rap is not synonymous with poetry. Rap is music. You really need to listen to the delivery of the rhyme because just reading it isn’t enough. Here, Method Man displays a master knowledge of rhythm while he lays down this verse.
From Shadowboxin’,
When my mind start to clicking and the strategy
Is mastered the plot thickens, this be that Wu shit
I don’t give a cotton-pickin’ FUCK
About a brother tryin to size a n***** up, I hold my own
Hard-hat protect your dome
Look at Mama baby boy acting like he grown
No time for sleep, I gets deep as a baritone
Need I say anymore? Another Masterpiece from the legendary rapper.
Chef Raekwon of the Wu-Tang
Raekwon, like Method Man, is also recognized as being one of the greatest emcees.
How Raekwon the Chef got his name?
Raekwon said, “In the old days, the flavor was a term we used for something that was ill around the neighborhood. So they named him Raekwon the Chef. I already had the name Shallah Raekwon, but they added “the chef,” so I took it because I felt like I was the leader of the group.”
Here’s an excerpt from one of my favorite Chef songs,
Incarcerated Scarfaces
Go head and rhyme to it, big n**** mics is gettin’ fired
Morphine chicks be burnin’ like chlorine
N***** recognize from here to Baltimore to Fort Greene
But hold up, Moet be tastin’ like throw-up
My mob roll up, dripped to death whips rolled up
I really like this one because it’s completely Raekwon’s song. It has incredible lyrics, imagery, and production. Raekwon is known to have an affinity for the notorious fictional gangster played by Al Pacino.
Can It be That It Was All So Simple
Yeah, my pops was a fiend since 16
Shootin’ that “that’s that shit!” in his blood stream
That’s the life of a grimy, real-life crimey
And n***** know that habit’s behind me
Day one, yo, growin’ all up in the ghetto
Now I’m a weed fiend jettin’ to Palmetto
In Medina, yo, no doubt, the god got crazy clout
Whenever people bring up Raekwon’s best songs, this one always seems to come up. Though I think this is for a good reason. Raekwon is an incredible storyteller. He and Ghostface in this song are talking about how difficult it was growing up in New York, and how they aspired to live a more lavish and comfortable lifestyle.
U-God ft Raekwon & Inspectah Deck- Epicenter
“Epicenter” is the second single from U-God’s Venom. Inspectah Deck and Raekwon, both Wu-Tang Clan members, as well as Jackpot Scotty Wotty, collaborated on the album.
The single was released on February 20, 2018. It is one of the finest works of Raekwon.
The Bottom Line
If I had to choose between the two, I would have to say that Method Man is my favorite. However, looking outside of my own preferences, I would say the match is too close to call.
Both rappers bring their unique skills and abilities to the table at the end of the day. Raekwon is a master lyricist and storyteller. Method Man is also a legendary lyricist, and while Raekwon might be a better storyteller, Meth definitely wins when it comes to the most genius one-liners.
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