Instagram/@carmeloanthony
If someone is trying to call the shots in New York’s legal recreational marijuana business, then the one doing such calling is no other than an old and established member of Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man. The up-to-date addition to branded products under “Hall of Flame” has anthem the city, and the response could only be classified as electric. musician Method Man, a.k.a. Clifford Smith, posted a short clip on Instagram that appears to depict the pop-up or dispensary visit event where he gave shout-outs to the local budtenders to celebrate the crowd-driven launch.
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The video sees Method Man holding high slices of exquisitely designed packaging from ‘Hall of Flame’ with all the glory; he said with great confidence: “I know I am the best. You’re a cousin in Egypt. Go to your hall down here. I’m the best. I’m the best.” Such arrogant remarks, half in jest and half serious, are something every hip-hop fan knows and admires. But the statement of brandiness means something much further. “STAYME7O,” which is his brand of cannabis, is “more of a mindset than a business.” It is about putting the community first in the industry. It is about the high-grade cannabis and giving back. “This is how you build community,” Method Man explains when talking about the social change he hopes to bring about through his projects. It’s quite on time, especially when he goes on to say, “All the fame is coming. It’s all the fame time,” as if to mean that this drop is just a start to something much bigger.
“Last week’s ‘Hall of Flame’ drop brought the city out. @stayme7o.420 // it’s a mindset 💫”- just from the post caption itself and the engagement, you would be convinced about the hype. Comments ranged from excitement, support, and admiration respecting what Method Man is trying to build. Then there is a particular user who shares in the excitement, commenting, “Grabbed some last week in Brooklyn 🔥🔥💪🏾🍊🍊” The fire and orange emojis are almost sufficient testament to the quality and vibe of the brand. That kind of unabandoned, enthusiastic endorsement is quite enough to speak for the whole reception given to the brand.
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An additional comment came along and tagged cannabis figures Jesce Horton and NBA big man Carmelo Anthony, whose own cannabis brand is out: “Lets get that next PDX drop with the custom cannagars fellas @jescehorton @carmeloanthony.” This is not just some hype from a fan nor are they publicity chums affirming the momentum from a distance in hopes of collaboration. This just might be the confirmation to Method Man’s celebrity, which up till today may have just been confined to beat fans,’ effect is today being felt in the cannabis community where his name brands carry weight and respect.
Then there was one comment that said, “Only the best from the best 🔥🔥” By no means long, but immensely powerful, a double endorsement of Method Man’s own claim of being the “best.” It’s a reminder to the audience of his historic position in hip-hop and of what he has since invested in—the cannabis business. The name “STAYME7O” itself slyly nods toward the whole Wu-Tang spirit and the emergent cannabis culture he’s been quite openly advocating for since the 80s and 90s. This is not a celebrity endorsement or a jingle; it is infinitely about him, his history in the culture, and his undying passion for the plant.
Entering the cannabis space is by no means new to Method Man but with this “Hall of Flame” drop, it seems that the stakes are much higher. The New York legal market is still catching its breath, and slowly but steadily, with Method Man in the spotlight promoting community-centric events, local dispensaries can do well to bask in this limelight and draw more consumer engagement. He talks of curated high-level cannabis, which definitely sounds like a premium brand side-stepping the crowd. And when somebody as famous as Method Man puts on something, you better believe every last bit of it will go into the spotlight.
The video has the casual type of vibe, laid back yet brimming with confidence, with Method Man casually dressed like a boss. He is dropping histories to the budtenders, and that is the good thing: they are the frontliners that keep dispensary experiences alive. These are such minor details reinforcing the community-first ethos. “I got you, Dale,” he says in the clip, as if opening a direct portal for inclusion into his posse.
What we need in this quick-green-growing legalized cannabis is an advocate in the likes of Method Man, who values community and quality above greed or anything else. From where it stands, his approach seems to resonate with most consumers and even with other industry insiders. That comment about teaming for a “PDX drop” (probably referencing Portland, Oregon, which is yet another major cannabis market) might be a clue toward massive business or interstate partnerships in the future. Method Man’s name could well be the glue binding different pop cultures to forge a more united cannabis industry on a national scale.
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All said and done, this “Hall of Flame” drop seems to be more of a movement than just another product launch; and with his platform, Method Man hopes to elevate cannabis culture, build the local economy, and provide his fan base with high-grade products they can trust. Going by online and, one would assume, real-time responses from the community, he is working in the right direction. There really is nothing to compete with Method Man if phrases like “it’s all the fame time” actually land with an empty field. The mindset he pushes, though, is a whole lot more than just about popping. It’s about excellence, authentic taste, and binding forces to build something tangible. So yes, the city came out for this one – and predictably, they will definitely keep coming for more.
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