"Protect Ya Neck", along with "Tearz", were the first tracks recorded by the Wu-Tang Clan, released independently by the group as a 12-inch single in 1992.

[2] "Protect Ya Neck" is a free-associative and braggadocious battle rap and was the first Wu-Tang song bringing together the original four members and four others (excluding Masta Killa, who had not yet joined).

After it created an underground buzz, Wu-Tang Clan signed with Loud Records and re-released it in 1993, with "Method Man" as the B-side, which sold 10,000 copies.

In 2000, Wu-Tang Clan would release a sequel on their third album The W, called "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)", which also features Cappadonna and Masta Killa in place of the then-incarcerated Ol' Dirty Bastard.

"Protect Ya Neck" has been featured in video games True Crime: New York City, Skate 2, and WWE 2K22.

The music video features each Wu-Tang member in black and white rapping individually with their entourage in the background.

In the video, occasionally clips of Wu-Tang as a full group in color are flashed for a couple seconds.