Method Man (real name Clifford Smith) has broken his silence on his arrest on tax evasion charges earlier this week.

“You know, when you don’t file [your taxes], that’s what happens,” Method Man explained of his recent tax troubles in an interview with Big Tigger on Wednesday. “So that’s the lesson I learned. I think it was four years and after three years that’s when it’s a problem. It’s not a money thing because I paid it when they did that thing with the truck and contrary to everyone’s belief, the truck wasn’t repossessed. It’s different when the government comes and takes a truck, they want their money. I took the black people route. I took the ghetto route. [laughs] But you know, you can’t be waiting ’til the last minute and stuff like that. If it’s not right there in your face, then these things happen…It’s my fault totally. I just don’t like things to get blown outta portion and I’m glad that you gave me the option to speak my peace…The government is not playing, Uncle Sam pimp slapped me and it’s a lesson learned and I’m gonna take this and learn from it. Everybody [in jail] was cool, I live in Staten Island so it was nothing.”