Protect Ya Neck
Method Man Lyrics


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[INS]
Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to welcome to you
All the way from the slums of Shaolin
Special uninvited guests
Came in through the back door
Ladies and gentlemen, it's them!

Dance with the mantis, note the slim chances
Chant this, anthem swing like Pete Sampras
Takin it straight to Big Man On Campus
Brandish your weapon or get dropped to the canvas
Scandalous, made the metro panic
Cause static, with or without the automatic
And while I'm at it, yo, you got cash, pass it
It's drastic, gotta send half to Dirty Bastard

[Raekwon]
Ayo, ayo
Waves is spinnin, blades is spinnin
Slay em in the eighth inning
Stay truck, god stay playin linen
Kill rap, observe the uptowns, ho, feel that
Mink jeans on, seen where the real at
2000 zitos, movin wit a ill ego
For real, for real, ill lines, ill people
Yo, bring it back, 9 more civilians
Pollyin deals, monopoly and bills
Y'all niggas lyin
Caught 300, lab look royal wit a mean stomach
Go broke, all seen, done it
Words from the heavy set
If I don't eat, then we already met
Fly ass bro, liver than coke

[Meth]
Now what Clan you know wit lines this ill?
Bust shots at Big Ben like we got time to kill
Niggas can't gel or I'm just too high to tell
Put on my gasoline boots and walk through hell
Wit 9 generals, 9 ninjas in your video
9 milli blow, semi auto wit no serial
Man metaphysical, I speak for criminals
Who don't pay they bills on time and fuck wit digital
Never seen, smoke a bag of evergreen
My sword got a jones, more heads for the severing
Johnny in the dungeon, takin all bets, throw ya ones in
Scared money don't make money, throw ya guns in

[Masta Killa]
That's word to Jah Mo, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Blowin hydro on a beach wit Tamiko
My gun bullet hollow for you to swallow
Blowin the nozzle, hear it whistle
One in the head, this is code red, man for dead
X amount of lead spray from the barrel
Heat clear the street like Connor O'Carroll
Fully equipped, rifles, banana clip shit
To make my niggas from East New York flip

[Bobby Digital]
Yo, you may catch me in a pair of Polo Skipperys, matching cap
Razor blades in my gums (BOBBY!)
You may catch me in yellow Havana Joe's goose jumper
And my phaser off stun (BOBBY!)
Y'all might just catch me in the park playin chess, studyin math
Signin 7 and a sun (BOBBY!)
But you won't catch me without the ratchet, in the joint
Smoked out, dead broke or off point (BOBBY!)

[Ghostface]
Wallo's comfortable, chocolate frosting
Your socks hangin out, yours is talkin
Rock so steadily, son, I'm still crazy
Sport my old Force MD furs in the 80's
Nat Turners wit burners, Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Taught y'all niggas how to rap, reimburse me
Rothsdale's, ruby red sales, Bloomingdale's, blocks
Ox tails chopped up in Caribbean spots
I'm nice, maxed out, creepin wit the ax out
Murder these bikini bitches, switchin with they backs out

[U-God]
Niggas wanna pop shit, I pop clips
Bitch, I'll put my dick on ya lips
Alabama split, hammer slay quick
That David Banner gamma ray shit
Shells in the mouth, jailhouse snitch
My powder voice, Snow White stiff
Verbal killas, gorilla grip
God body shit, puff Marley spliffs

[Cappadonna]
You might see me in a 6, that's not my style
You might see me wit a bitch, that's not my child
I be in the benzo, keep a low profile
Dead serious, take flicks and don't smile
Tryna get money, y'all cats is wild
I pose for the clothes, make a song like wild
I'm a chip off the board game, got sword game
Live life to the fullest, still want more fame
Darts on layaway, beats on standby
Outfits pressed up, ready for airtime

[GZA]
Run on the track like Jesse Owens
Broke the record flowin, without any knowin
That my wordplay run the 400 meter relay
It's on once I grab the baton from the DJ
A athlete wit his iron cleat in the ground
Wildest nigga who sprint off the gun sound




The best time yet still 7.0
Swift flow made the cameramen clothes blow

Overall Meaning

The song "Protect Ya Neck" by Method Man is a classic hip-hop song from the early 1990s. The song is performed by multiple members of the Wu-Tang Clan, including Method Man, Raekwon, Masta Killa, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Cappadonna, and GZA. In the opening verse by INS, the group expresses their excitement to perform for the audience, welcoming them from "the slums of Shaolin" and warning of "uninvited guests" who made their way in through the back door. The rest of the verses contain witty and aggressive rhymes, with each member of the group showcasing their unique style.


The lyrics contain various references to pop culture, such as the mention of tennis player Pete Sampras and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, an Olympic track and field athlete. The group also references weaponry, including guns and swords, and discuss illegal activities such as drug dealing. They use aggressive language, such as "brandish your weapon or get dropped to the canvas," which has become a quintessential characteristic of classic 90s hip-hop.


Overall, the song is a symbol of Wu-Tang Clan's unique and innovative approach to music, blending sharp lyrics and raw beats to create a new sound that would influence hip-hop for years to come.


Line by Line Meaning

Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to welcome to you
We kindly request for your attention and presence


All the way from the slums of Shaolin
Coming from a disadvantaged and impoverished area


Special uninvited guests
Unexpected individuals of importance


Came in through the back door
Entered discreetly and unnoticed


Ladies and gentlemen, it's them!
It is indeed the individuals we previously mentioned


Dance with the mantis, note the slim chances
Engage in a risky endeavor, but be aware of the low likelihood of success


Chant this, anthem swing like Pete Sampras
Recite this powerful statement and move with the same agility as the tennis player Pete Sampras


Takin it straight to Big Man On Campus
Directly confronting a powerful and influential figure


Brandish your weapon or get dropped to the canvas
Display your strength or else you will be defeated


Scandalous, made the metro panic
Caused chaos and fear among the public


Cause static, with or without the automatic
Create disruption and conflict, regardless of the presence of a firearm


And while I'm at it, yo, you got cash, pass it
By the way, if you have money, give me some


It's drastic, gotta send half to Dirty Bastard
This is a serious situation, and I need to share half of the money with Dirty Bastard


Ayo, ayo
Hey, hey


Waves is spinnin, blades is spinnin
Rap flows are vibrant and sharp


Slay em in the eighth inning
Overpower and defeat opponents in the later stages


Stay truck, god stay playin linen
Remain stylish and wear luxurious fabrics


Kill rap, observe the uptowns, ho, feel that
Destroy the rap game and witness the rise of the stylish and affluent individuals


Mink jeans on, seen where the real at
Wearing expensive mink jeans and recognizing true authenticity


2000 zitos, movin wit a ill ego
Having a large quantity of money and behaving with arrogance


For real, for real, ill lines, ill people
These are genuine statements, representing talented and remarkable individuals


Yo, bring it back, 9 more civilians
Recall the past and include nine additional ordinary people


Pollyin deals, monopoly and bills
Engaging in illegal activities to acquire wealth and manage financial matters


Y'all niggas lyin
All of you are lying


Caught 300, lab look royal wit a mean stomach
Arrested 300 individuals, appearing regal despite being hungry


Go broke, all seen, done it
Experience financial hardship, a common occurrence


Words from the heavy set
Wisdom from those who are physically large


If I don't eat, then we already met
If I don't have food, then we have had a previous encounter


Fly ass bro, liver than coke
Attractive brother, living a life more exciting than the drug cocaine


Now what Clan you know wit lines this ill?
Which rap group do you know that has such incredible lyrics?


Bust shots at Big Ben like we got time to kill
Shoot bullets at Big Ben as if we have an abundance of time


Niggas can't gel or I'm just too high to tell
People can't blend together or perhaps I am just too intoxicated to perceive it


Put on my gasoline boots and walk through hell
Wear protective footwear and endure a challenging and intense situation


Wit 9 generals, 9 ninjas in your video
With nine leaders and nine highly skilled individuals in your music video


9 milli blow, semi auto wit no serial
Firing a 9mm pistol, a semi-automatic weapon without a serial number


Man metaphysical, I speak for criminals
A person who has a deep understanding of philosophy and issues concerning crime


Who don't pay they bills on time and fuck wit digital
Individuals who fail to pay their bills promptly and engage in illegal activities involving digital technology


Never seen, smoke a bag of evergreen
Rarely witnessed, consume a large amount of high-quality marijuana


My sword got a jones, more heads for the severing
My rap skills are addictive, causing more people to be captivated and impressed


Johnny in the dungeon, takin all bets, throw ya ones in
Johnny is in a risky and challenging situation, accepting all wagers, contribute your money


Scared money don't make money, throw ya guns in
If you're too afraid to take risks, you won't be able to earn money, so relinquish your firearms


That's word to Jah Mo, San Juan, Puerto Rico
This is a sincere statement of respect to Jah Mo and the city of San Juan in Puerto Rico


Blowin hydro on a beach wit Tamiko
Smoking marijuana on a beach with the company of Tamiko


My gun bullet hollow for you to swallow
The bullets in my gun are hollow, ready for you to digest their impact


Blowin the nozzle, hear it whistle
Firing the gun, hearing the distinct sound it makes


One in the head, this is code red, man for dead
A bullet aimed at the head, indicating a dangerous situation where someone may lose their life


X amount of lead spray from the barrel
An unspecified quantity of bullets being released from the gun's barrel


Heat clear the street like Connor O'Carroll
The intense presence of firearms causes people to scatter and evacuate the street, similar to the impact created by Connor O'Carroll


Fully equipped, rifles, banana clip shit
Well-prepared with rifles, ammunition clips shaped like bananas


To make my niggas from East New York flip
Causing a significant reaction and change in behavior from individuals originating from East New York


Yo, you may catch me in a pair of Polo Skipperys, matching cap
You might see me wearing Polo Skipperys, along with a hat that complements the outfit


Razor blades in my gums (BOBBY!)
I conceal razor blades in my mouth


You may catch me in yellow Havana Joe's goose jumper
You might observe me wearing a yellow Havana Joe's goose jumper


And my phaser off stun (BOBBY!)
Additionally, my phaser weapon is set on the stun setting


Y'all might just catch me in the park playin chess, studyin math
You might witness me playing chess in the park and engaging in the study of mathematics


Signin 7 and a sun (BOBBY!)
Acknowledging the significance of the zodiac sign Cancer and the sun as symbols


But you won't catch me without the ratchet, in the joint
However, you will never see me without a firearm, especially in prison


Smoked out, dead broke or off point (BOBBY!)
I may be heavily under the influence of drugs, completely broke, or not mentally focused


Wallo's comfortable, chocolate frosting
I am content and relaxed, similar to the experience of indulging in chocolate frosting


Your socks hangin out, yours is talkin
Your socks are visible, indicating that you lack attention to detail or are engaging in unnecessary conversation


Rock so steadily, son, I'm still crazy
I consistently perform well, demonstrating stability, but I am still mentally unconventional


Sport my old Force MD furs in the 80's
I proudly wear my old fur coats from the 80's, associated with the musical group Force MDs


Nat Turners wit burners, Jackie Joyner-Kersee
I possess guns akin to those used by Nat Turner, and possess the athleticism of Jackie Joyner-Kersee


Taught y'all niggas how to rap, reimburse me
I educated all of you on the art of rapping, so you owe me compensation


Rothsdale's, ruby red sales, Bloomingdale's, blocks
Referring to luxurious Rothsdale's clothing, successful lucrative sales, Bloomingdale's department store, and specific neighborhood blocks


Ox tails chopped up in Caribbean spots
Enjoying a popular Caribbean dish of chopped ox tails in various locations


I'm nice, maxed out, creepin wit the ax out
I am kind and talented, fully embracing my potential, and moving cautiously with a weapon


Murder these bikini bitches, switchin with they backs out
I will figuratively and artistically destroy these women who only care about their appearance, specifically when they turn their backs


Niggas wanna pop shit, I pop clips
Individuals want to talk nonsense, but I respond by firing bullets from my gun


Bitch, I'll put my dick on ya lips
I have no respect for you, and I will humiliate you in a vulgar manner


Alabama split, hammer slay quick
I will divide and conquer like the state of Alabama, swiftly defeating adversaries with a powerful tool


That David Banner gamma ray shit
Utilizing the destructive power of the Hulk character David Banner, representing strong and overwhelming force


Shells in the mouth, jailhouse snitch
Incarcerated individuals inform on others, leading to danger or harm to themselves


My powder voice, Snow White stiff
When I speak, my voice has the same potency and numbing effect as cocaine. Similar to the character Snow White, still and lifeless


Verbal killas, gorilla grip
We are skillful with our rapping, possessing a firm and unwavering strength


God body shit, puff Marley spliffs
We have a deep understanding of spirituality and indulge in smoking marijuana, reminiscent of Bob Marley


You might see me in a 6, that's not my style
Occasionally, I may be seen in a luxury vehicle, but it is not my preferred mode of transportation


You might see me wit a bitch, that's not my child
I may be accompanied by an attractive woman, but she is not my romantic partner or offspring


I be in the benzo, keep a low profile
I typically drive a Mercedes-Benz and prefer to maintain a discreet and inconspicuous presence


Dead serious, take flicks and don't smile
I am very serious, appearing in photographs without displaying any happiness


Tryna get money, y'all cats is wild
I am making efforts to obtain wealth, while you individuals behave in a reckless and foolish manner


I pose for the clothes, make a song like wild
I strike poses to showcase fashionable clothing and create a rap song with unparalleled energy


I'm a chip off the board game, got sword game
I am a product of the rap game and possess exceptional skills with words, similar to wielding a sword


Live life to the fullest, still want more fame
I am truly enjoying life, but I still desire an increased level of recognition and success


Darts on layaway, beats on standby
I have a stockpile of impressive rap verses, and beats are readily available for use


Outfits pressed up, ready for airtime
My clothing is always neatly ironed, prepared to be showcased on television


Run on the track like Jesse Owens
I perform exceptionally well while running, akin to the legendary athlete Jesse Owens


Broke the record flowin, without any knowin
I surpassed previous records with my outstanding rap flow, without anyone anticipating it


That my wordplay run the 400 meter relay
My clever use of words has the same level of efficiency as a relay race in the 400 meter event


It's on once I grab the baton from the DJ
The action begins as soon as I take over the microphone from the DJ


A athlete wit his iron cleat in the ground
An athlete firmly planted on the ground with spiked shoes


Wildest nigga who sprint off the gun sound
The most daring individual who starts running as soon as the sound of the gun is heard


The best time yet still 7.0
Achieving the best time so far, but still striving for perfection represented by a time of 7.0


Swift flow made the cameramen clothes blow
My rapid and smooth rap flow blew the clothes of the cameramen, metaphorically representing their astonishment




Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@UppurMGMT

So what's up, man?
Coolin', man
Chillin' chilin'? Yo, you know I had to call, you know why right?
Why?
Because, yo, I never ever call and ask you to play somethin', right?
Yeah
You know what I wanna hear, right?
Whatchu wanna hear?
I wanna hear that Wu-Tang joint
Wu-Tang again?
Ah, yeah, again and again

I played this in my car and had the same excitement as that caller from all those years ago. These songs sound so much different when your doing good in life.



All comments from YouTube:

@soultheinterrogator

I've heard this a gazillion times, but the new Wu-Tang an American saga episode made me have to come out and slap this! Never gets old EVER!!! πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

@IENetworkTV

im with u just saw it one of the illest tv episodes I ever seen

@neyachance8093

I just got finish had to ho to the original to see if it was just like that and it was just like that... the wu tho! #itsdawu4me

@Drone2222

American Saga has been a slow burn but it's paying off in a big way, watching him mix samples was like a zen state

@matthewwoods1016

Same here

@bautistopacheco8439

Same i been bumping it on repeat

474 More Replies...

@AAron-is6qe

The way the lyrics are seamlessly woven together still blows my mind 25 years later. No hook. No chorus. No break

@tyannewton6130

Called dopalicioua

@tyannewton6130

Ssss

@marcusgrimes818

What we call the perfect mid 90s posse/cypher track 😀

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