Wu-Tang Clan “Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)” (Best of the Decade)

While it might not touch Wu-Tang Forever, the Wu-Tang Clan did everything in its power to make The W the best it could be, including calling in favors from Redman, Snoop, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Streetlife, Junior Reid & Isaac Hayes. Regardless of the pedigree of its collaborators, The W was full of holes and felt far more forced than anything the group had put out to that time (I’d argue that Iron Flag took that feeling one step further).

The album wasn’t without its moments however, the highlight of which being “Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off),” the only track on the album to feature all 10 of the group’s members (with the exception being Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who I believe was in rehab, jail, or on the lam at the time of its recording—one of the three, check me on that if I’m wrong).

It’s a banger from start to finish, standing as one of the last remaining showcases of what the Wu-Tang Clan is capable of when each of its members are on the same page, and stands as the slickest moment the group has had as a collective since “Triumph;” that includes 8 Diagrams.

Also: Raekwon “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II” Review