Method Man Discusses His Mental Health Journey: “I Was My Own Shadow, Meaning I Was In My Own Way”

Method Man opens up about his new ways of coping with his mental health issues, sharing his experiences of struggling with them.

During a recent episode of Kevin Hart’s Comedy Gold Minds podcast, the Wu-Tang Clan rapper opened up about the positive impact that therapy has had on his life.

“I was my own shadow, meaning I was in my own way,” he said. “I had to get out of my own way. I saw that I could not control the people around me, but I could control myself. One thing that stood out for me, when I was younger – basically being a little dirty kid with nothing. No control over where I lived, what I ate, where I slept. But I had these sports – football and lacrosse – there I had control and I was good at it.”

He continued, “So I needed those little moments where I need to be in control of what goes on in my life. I had to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘I’m tired of myself. I want better for me, I have more to contribute, and start there.’ Self-check, absolutely. If you don’t, sooner or later, somebody else is gonna check you.”

Method Man is among the latest group of rappers who have publicly expressed their evolving perspectives on mental health. Over the past few years, several rappers have been candid about their mental health challenges. Rapper Desiigner recently shared that he voluntarily admitted himself into a mental health facility on his 26th birthday. This decision came after he was charged with indecent exposure following an incident on a flight from Japan to the United States in April, and he realized he needed to seek help.