Method Man, real name Clifford Smith, allegedly assaulted a family friend at a Crunch Fitness gym on Staten Island. The 53-year-old Wu-Tang Clan member allegedly punched 28-year-old Patrick Sokoya in the face seven times “with a closed fist,” sources said to The New York Post.
More than ten years ago, Sokoya had a relationship with the “Tical” rapper’s daughter, which led to the alleged assault. The sources claimed that although the alleged victim claimed that Smith had caused him facial pain and dizziness, he declined on-scene medical assistance.
According to sources, after filing a complaint with the NYPD, Smith was not taken into custody.
However, according to a Smith representative who emailed The Post, “Mr. Smith categorically denies the allegations as reported and has not been the subject of an arrest by any law enforcement agency.”
According to the outlet, Smith was previously caught in possession of an ounce of marijuana in his vehicle in 2007 after being stopped by a Brooklyn traffic booth cop for having an expired license plate.
Smith, who sometimes goes by Johnny Blaze, pulled down the window of his Lincoln and struck the officer with a whiff of cannabis smoke.
In addition, the Grammy winner was brought before Staten Island Criminal Court in 2009 for neglecting to file income taxes in New York State from 2004 to 2007; this resulted in a $32,799 deficit.
He ascribed his failure to pay to his long-term marijuana use.
“Because I got high, I forgot to pay. It was stupid,” he told reporters at the time.
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Billboard reports that he pled guilty to tax evasion charges in 2010 and immediately cut a check for a $40,000 restitution payment after owing approximately $106,000.
Smith has been one of the most well-known members of Wu-Tang Clan for ten years. He is also a prolific actor, with over 130 credits on IMDB.
More than 4 million copies of his solo albums have been sold. Even though he hasn’t put out a studio album since Meth Lab Season 3: The Rehab in 2022, Method Man is still in demand for features.
Method Man’s 2024 collaborations include Redman, 38 Spesh, Skyzoo, Your Old Droog, Ghostface Killah, Marlon Craft, and others.
