Wu-Tang Clan

From the personal archives of John "Mook" Gibbons, CEO Wu-Tang Management

"The Wu-Tang Clan is on the loose so get ready for the headbanger. Be sure to pump it Loud, and oh yeah, protect your neck, kid."

With those 2 lines, the fledging Wu-Tang Clan closed their first industry introduction to the world outside of Shaolin. Self-released through Wu-Tang Records on December 14, 1992, "Protect Ya Neck" was the Clan's debut single featuring 8 original Clan members—RZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Ghostface Killah, GZA. An immediate hit in the world of underground rap, "Protect Ya Neck" lead to the Clan's signing with Loud/RCA Records and the production of present lot. Included are: one copy of the Clan's first publicity shot including all 8 original members and two copies of the Wu-Tang Clan's first press release, although in part it functions much more like a manifesto—outlining the Clan's approach to not only music, but to life itself:

"As students of the mental (or Shaolin) aspect of martial arts and Islam, as well as fans of kung-fu flicks, the Clan brings true [discipline] to the art of rhyming. 'Wu-Tang' represdent the sword style of verbal combat in which a sharp tongue is enough to cut off the heads of all challengers. The 'Clan' stands for the invisible family—you challenge one, you challenge all..."