METHOD MAN was the first — and biggest — solo star to emerge from the groundbreaking Wu-Tang Clan. On his solo records, Method Man developed a persona that swung from offhand, understated menace to raucous stoner humor. Singles like "Bring the Pain" and "Release Yo' Delf" made him an even bigger name in the hip-hop community. Toward the end of the '90s, his frequent team-ups with Redman (most notably "How High") produced not only a terrific musical chemistry, but an eventual big-screen comedy team as well. His one-off single with Mary J. Blige, "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By," even soared into the pop Top Five.

STREET LIFE is one of the few elite Wu Tang members to never drop an album during the killer bee swarm era. Having appeared on all Method Man/Wu-Tang albums up to date, he notoriously brings raw-hood sounds whenever he touches the mic. The latest album, Street Education, dropped on June 21st.