From the slums of Shaolin to the streets of State College, Method Man is coming.

Best known as either a member of the influential Wu-Tang Clan or, with his co-conspirator Redman, pitchman for that deodorant with the stripe in it, Mr. Meth will be rocking Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., Monday night, along with underground up-and-comers Mims and Ben Frank.

And, if he lives up to his promise from the classic Wu track "Method Man," it could be quite a sight to see.

After several standout verses on the Wu-Tang's debut Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, Method Man was among the first Clan members to release a solo album, the well-received Tical. Featuring the classic "Bring the Pain," the record helped solidify Method Man as the group's sex symbol and one of its premier MCs.

Through a few more solo efforts and a lucrative partnership with Brick City rapper Redman (on record, film and, soon, a television show), Method Man has continued to be a strong name in the world of rap.

Arthur Bond (junior-film and video), a hip-hop fan, said that with Method Man's visit, as well as Ol' Dirty Bastard's recent show, he's had a chance to revisit some music he hasn't heard in a while.

"Wu-Tang is responsible for some of the best rap I'm not terribly familiar with," Bond said. "But it's good that they're all coming around so I can feel guilty for not listening to them more."

Method Man's visit might be in response to ODB's February Crowbar concert, during which the rapper performed roughly half a dozen songs and left the stage after 25 minutes, said Greg Gabbard, owner of City Lights Records, 316. E. College Ave.

"Maybe it's to pay everyone back for the mess the ODB show created," Gabbard said. "They might be bringing in a good show to pay people back for the ODB show."

Gabbard said his theorizing might be more akin to wishful thinking.

"I try to stay optimistic in these situations," Gabbard said. "Although, to be perfectly honest, Method Man is more talented than ODB."

Penn State's head Def Jam representative, Anoop George (junior-finance) said opener Ben Frank, a Penn State alum, has his own long history with the Wu-Tang Clan.

"He started rapping at the age of 13," George said. "He was actually on tour with Wu-Tang back then, with his old group."

As George said, Ben Frank is coming up fast in the game.

"Right now, he's in the process of dropping a radio single," George said. "Of course, from there, he's hoping to record a full-length and then shop around for a deal."

Dave Wells, director of operations for Crowbar, said that Method Man should not disappoint concertgoers at Monday night's show.

"It should be an excellent show," Wells said.