S. Samuel
Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man's "All I Need" demo track has leaked online nearly 20 years since its debut and features the rhyme spitter without Mary J. Blige on the vocals.
Instead of the 1994 Grammy-winning hit single’s leading vocals, M-e-t-h-o-d Man features foul- mouthed women on the demo.
Speaking of demos, here’s a recently unearthed gem from Method Man. The folks at 2DopeBoyz have found this early, rough version of the Wu-Tang Clan rapper’s “All I Need” off his 1994 debut, Tical. Most of us know it as “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By,” which was a duet-style single with Mary J. Blige. But here, we’re hearing the track without Mary and without Streetlife, who appeared on the album version of “All I Need.” Instead of their vocals, we hear foul-mouthed, unidentified women talking all sorts of nasty sh*t. It’s kind of hilarious, and who knows where the track would have went if they went with this version. (Prefix Mag)
“All I Need” is one of Mef’s featured hit records off his 1994 debut, Tical.
Just as Meth is quite clearly leagues above practically every other rapper in 1994 sans a small handful, if that, so is his producer, Wu-Tang abbot RZA, who produces the entirety of Tical: from the antiquated flutes and kung fu flick samples that open the album, to the pulse-accelerating beats of “Bring the Pain” and the fist-pumping ones of “All I Need” (the b-boy version rather than the radio-geared one featuring Mary J. Blige), to the rallying, warlike horns of “Release Yo’ Delf.” (All Music)
Years ago, Method Man reflected on his early 1990’s days as a rookie emcee.
“I was unfocused,” said Meth, who won a Grammy with Mary J. Blige in 1995 for the duet “I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need To Get By.” “It was like, ignorance was bliss for me in those years. I didn’t know what was at stake when I was going out on the road by myself to promote that first album or when I did that first video ‘Bring the Pain.’ [I] came to the set dusted. That’s why I look crazy — n—-s was high! Not just weed high, but angel dust high. Kids, say no. That sh– is not for you.” (MTV)
Recently, Method Man talked about cleaning up his “pothead” image.
“I don’t want that every time you hear Method Man’s name you associate it with getting high or marijuana because there’s so much more to me than that. I’m not actually distancing myself from my marijuana culture people but it’s not in the forefront anymore, Method tells VIBE. “I got kids to raise, man. Plus it was never really that bad. It gets comes to a point where no matter where you go they’re always thinking you’re high. And I’m not always high. I mean right now I’m sober as a priest.” (VIBE)
Check out the “All I Need” demo below:
