Method Man and Redman were completely unlike what I was expecting. Having seen a few Wu Tang members and even more rappers, I expected them to fall somewhere on the more lethargic side. Not sure why, but their goofy demeanor in films certainly didn’t inspire confidence in me that they’d be a wild and fun live act. But unlike other rappers I’ve seen lately (MF Doom, GZA) Method and Red still seem to enjoy what they’re doing and make a fun time out of it.

Unfortunately I only got to catch two songs before I had to go meet my girlfriend and her friend at the Monolith side gate to give them their passes. But luckily when we got back I got to hear the song that made it all worth it. The duo asked us “how many of you remember where you were in 1993 when you first heard this song?” Just then the familiar piano plunking of “Method Man” Now, I was only seven years old when Enter the Wu-Tang came out, but still loved hearing that classic song live. I’ve heard “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit” live, but this was a really great treat.

But again, even more than the set list, what really impressed me was that Method and Red were energetic, smiling and running around the stage like they were still young pups in their prime. Amid a sea of boring rappers who just amble around the stage, they stood out as two guys who are in it for the love of music and performing. Even if they didn’t have better songs than some other rappers, passion will always win out in the end.