“Protect Ya Neck” is the debut single by Hip Hop group Wu-Tang Clan. The song is from the group’s critically acclaimed first album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). It is produced by RZA (then known as Prince Rakeem) and features eight of the original nine Wu-Tang members.
‘Protect Ya Neck’ was the first Wu-Tang song bringing together the original four members and four others (excluding Masta Killa, who had not yet joined). It was originally released in 1992 as part of the “Protect Ya Neck”/”After The Laughter” single by Wu-Tang Records. When it created an underground buzz, Wu-Tang signed with Loud Records and released it with “Method Man” on its b-side. That single sold 10,000 copies.
On the original recording version of the song, Inspectah Deck’s verse came second, but RZA changed it to first in the order. The original beat was totally different, and all Wu-members were in a different order. RZA just said “I just need y’all voices” and Wu entered the studio the next morning and RZA arranged everything, including the karate chops. The person who rings into a radio station at the start of the song was from an interview Wu did. Wu did the interview on a radio station (“Virginia or Maryland, WPGC, I think” Inspectah Deck says), different segments of the same interview are placed at different parts of the album.
Rapper Grand Daddy I.U. noted the swipe that GZA took at him on the song. Prior to the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan, GZA was originally known as The Genius – who, along with Grand Daddy I.U. – was signed to Cold Chillin’ Records. GZA’s verse was directed at his former label for lack of promotion over his debut Words from the Genius in favor of the former’s debut album Smooth Assassin.
