Hit 'Em Up

Death Row Records
Industry	Music industry
Headquarters	Los Angeles, United States
Products	Music recordings, singles, albums

Hit 'Em Up is a diss track performed by American rapper 2Pac, featuring the group Outlawz. It was released on June 4, 1996, as the B-side to the single "How Do U Want It" and primarily targets several East Coast rappers, most notably Shakur's former ally turned adversary, the Notorious B.I.G.. The recording took place at Can-Am Studios on April 19, 1996, with an earlier version dating back to October 31, 1995.

Journalist Chuck Philips characterized the song as "a scathing anti–East Coast campaign," in which 2Pac directs threats at Biggie, Puffy, and other artists associated with Bad Boy. The track was produced by longtime collaborator Johnny "J", and its notorious music video includes impersonations of Biggie, Puffy, and Lil' Kim, a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A.

"Hit 'Em Up" played a significant role in escalating the East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry, eliciting responses from East Coast rappers. The feud intensified following Shakur’s death in a drive-by-shooting just three months after the song’s release. It is widely regarded as one of the most impactful diss tracks ever created.

Origins

The creation of "Hit 'Em Up" took place at Can-Am Studios in 1996. Tupac Shakur brought together members of his previous group Dramacydal—collaborators from earlier projects—to form the initial lineup of the Outlawz. Shakur delivers the first and third verses, while Hussein Fatal, Yaki Kadafi, and E.D.I. Mean contribute the second, fourth, and fifth verses respectively. The song’s bassline samples Dennis Edwards’ "Don't Look Any Further," a sample also famously used in Eric B. & Rakim's "Paid in Full."

Producer Johnny J recalled that Shakur's passionate vocal delivery was genuinely fueled by anger directed at Biggie and Bad Boy Records, whom Shakur suspected were involved in his November 30, 1994 shooting incident. This intense emotion shaped the aggressive nature of the track, making it one of Johnny J’s most forceful productions. Although pleased with the outcome, Johnny J expressed hesitation about producing anything so intense again.

Shakur was further provoked by Biggie’s release of "Who Shot Ya?" shortly after the shooting, which he interpreted as a personal provocation. He acknowledged that "Hit 'Em Up" was composed as a direct response to that song. In an interview with Vibe, Shakur accused Sean "Puffy" Combs and Biggie Smalls of either orchestrating or having prior knowledge of the attack without warning him. He also implicated businessmen James Rosemond ("Jimmy Henchman") and Jacques Agnant ("Haitian Jack"). Due to reported threats after the interview, Vibe used pseudonyms for Henchman and Haitian Jack in their published version.

Composition

The lyrics of "Hit 'Em Up" chiefly target Biggie and Puffy with aggressive insults. Shakur opens with a provocative line directed at Biggie: "That's why I fucked your bitch, you fat motherfucker," referencing Biggie's estranged wife Faith Evans, who was seen without her wedding ring during a photo shoot with Tupac. He vows retaliation for what he perceives as mockery in "Who Shot Ya?," rapping lines such as "Who shot me?/But you punks didn't finish/Now you're about to feel the wrath of a menace." Shakur accuses Biggie of appropriating his rap style with lyrics like "Now it's all about Versace, you copied my style," while recalling their earlier friendship with "Biggie, remember when I used to let you sleep on the couch?" He also disses Mobb Deep, making reference to Prodigy's sickle cell condition—a jab that led to their retaliatory track "Drop a Gem on 'em." The song features heavy profanity, with "fuck" or "motherfucker" appearing 46 times, and carries a Parental Advisory warning.

The chorus parodies Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s "Player's Anthem," repeatedly using the phrase "take money," alluding to their hit "Get Money." The beat is sampled from the remix titled "Gettin' Money." Faith Evans—then estranged from Biggie—was reportedly seen with Shakur following her breakup and may have contributed backing vocals. Tupac claimed gifts from Evans as evidence of their relationship, intensifying rumors with repeated lines such as "You claim to be a player, but I fucked your wife."

In addition to Biggie and Puffy, Shakur directs insults toward other affiliates of Bad Boy Records and Biggie’s circle, including Lil' Kim and Junior M.A.F.I.A., accusing them of feigning street credibility and stirring conflicts they do not fully grasp. Bronx rapper Chino XL was also targeted for his crude remarks about Shakur. Initially, Jay-Z was mentioned but later removed from the track after Outlawz members advised that he was not involved in the Death Row–Bad Boy rivalry.

Geographically, the lyrics reference several locations across the United States—Brooklyn, California, the East Coast, New Jersey, New York, and the West Coast—as well as an international nod to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Music video

The visual accompaniment for "Hit 'Em Up" was shot on June 3, 1996, inside a warehouse located near Fox Hills Mall in Los Angeles, under the direction of Look Hear Productions. In the video, Shakur is seen delivering verses across different rooms alongside the Outlawz, while television screens show footage featuring Shakur, Puffy, and Biggie Smalls. Actors reenacted characters from the "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" video to portray individuals targeted in "Hit 'Em Up," including a figure resembling Biggie wearing a Kangol hat and jacket. The imagery throughout the video reflects the confrontational and intense nature of the song.

This music video is part of the content featured on the Tupac: Live at the House of Blues DVD.

Release and reception

Upon finishing "Hit 'Em Up," Shakur anticipated it would become a club favorite and attract global attention. The song initially appeared as a B-side on the single "How Do U Want It," which included contributions from the Outlawz. Distributed by Death Row Records on June 4, 1996, it was issued across multiple formats such as CD, 12-inch vinyl, and 45 RPM records. The artwork for the single depicted Puffy as a snake and Biggie as a pig. Following Shakur’s passing, "Hit 'Em Up" was featured on various compilations, including his last live performance in Live at the House of Blues, and received a remix treatment on Nu-Mixx Klazzics. Although public curiosity about the feud drove significant radio exposure, certain stations like KPWR refused to broadcast it. The track’s succeeding single was "Bomb First (My Second Reply)."

Characterized by many as "controversial," "infamous," and notably "brutal," "Hit 'Em Up" contained sharp insults directed at much of the East Coast hip-hop community. It struck a chord particularly with younger listeners, alongside other prominent tracks such as "Dear Mama." Within Shakur’s close circle, the song was viewed as bringing bad luck. Bruce St. James, a Los Angeles radio director, described it as "the be-all, end-all... violent song of all time." Documentary filmmaker Carl Weston observed that individuals in Biggie's position might have been inclined toward physical retaliation.

The track also faced disapproval from prominent artists like Dionne Warwick, Kool Moe Dee, and Chuck D., who recognized Shakur’s artistic skill but believed he had overstepped boundaries with this release, causing some fans to turn away. Ice-T recalled advising Shakur to pursue peace with Biggie instead of issuing such a confrontational record; however, Shakur dismissed this advice, hoping to garner support from West Coast artists in his dispute.

Aftermath

The track signified a pivotal moment in the rivalry between Shakur and Biggie, becoming the focal point of one of hip hop's most infamous conflicts. It has been examined in academic circles and incorporated into educational discussions to analyze expressions of anger within rap music. Biggie's death occurred six months following Shakur's passing.

From Biggie

Following the release of "Hit 'Em Up," Biggie consistently denied involvement in the shooting incident and clarified that "Who Shot Ya?" was composed prior to Shakur being targeted, refuting claims that it was directed at him. He rejected Shakur’s accusations concerning his wife Faith, suggesting that Shakur used her as a means to attack him without certainty about any actual interaction. Biggie addressed these matters in "Brooklyn's Finest," rapping, "If Faye have twins, she'd probably have two Pacs." Faith Evans later confirmed she had been involved with Shakur but denied any sexual liaison.

From other artists

Puffy conveyed bewilderment over the intensity of Shakur’s animosity in "Hit 'Em Up," reaffirming both his and Biggie’s non-involvement in the shooting and highlighting their previous friendship. In an interview with Vibe, Puffy criticized Shakur for directing blame at others instead of focusing on those truly responsible for the attack.

Lil' Kim responded with a diss track aimed at Faith Evans and Shakur. The video for Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s "Get Money" was interpreted by some as a response to Shakur, although Biggie refuted this notion. Lil' Cease noted that Biggie continued to hold respect for Shakur despite their feud. The assault on Mobb Deep was retaliation linked to their participation in "L.A L.A," which itself was a response to Tha Dogg Pound’s "New York, New York" video featuring Death Row dismantling New York landmarks. Mobb Deep answered with "Drop a Gem on 'em," alluding indirectly to the shooting without explicitly naming Shakur. Additionally, Bronx rapper King Sun replied with "New York Love (All Eyez On Sun)."

Appearances

Originally, "Hit 'Em Up" served as the B-side on Shakur's single "How Do U Want It" and was later included in his 1998 compilation album, Greatest Hits. A remix combining lyrics from both explicit and clean versions appeared on Nu-Mixx Klazzics (2003). Live renditions were featured on the 2005 album Tupac: Live at the House of Blues and the 2004 release 2Pac Live. The song also appeared on Death Row Greatest Hits.

Eminem’s track "Quitter" incorporates a reinterpretation of "Hit 'Em Up" as a diss directed at Everlast, supported by D12, echoing how the Outlawz backed Shakur. Likewise, Bow Wow’s "What I Think About You" adapts "Hit 'Em Up" as a diss toward Soulja Boy Tell 'em.

The 2017 Tupac biographical film All Eyez On Me depicts Tupac performing this song during his 1996 House Of Blues concert, using it as a direct message to Biggie and referencing personal disputes involving Faith Evans.

Cover version

Producers Cain McKnight and Jonathan Hay transformed Hit 'Em Up into house music and jazz interpretations under Fat Beats Records.

Charts

Chart (2022)	Peak Position
Hungary (Single)	38

References

Notes

Bibliography