Rap legend Method Man has dropped a bombshell that has stunned fans and industry insiders alike: despite his legendary status as a solo artist and member of the iconic Wu-Tang Clan, he has yet to see a dime from streaming his music.
In an eye-opening interview with Wale Ogunleye, Head of Sports & Entertainment at UBS, on Hot 97’s YouTube channel, Method Man opened up about the impact of artificial intelligence on the music industry and the challenges faced by artists from his generation.
During the discussion, he expressed his concerns about the rise of AI-generated content, referencing fake diss tracks involving Drake, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around AI,” Method Man admitted. “I’ve seen some things that made me raise an eyebrow — like those fake diss tracks with 2Pac and Snoop, and even Kendrick. It’s deeper than that, especially when it comes to intellectual property rights for artists from my era. To be honest, I’ve never received a streaming check for any of my music.”
This revelation highlights the ongoing struggle for fair compensation in the digital age, particularly for artists who laid the groundwork for today’s music industry. As streaming continues to dominate, Method Man’s candid admission raises important questions about how the industry compensates its pioneers.
