Hit 'Em Up

"Hit 'Em Up" is a diss track by American rapper 2Pac, featuring the Outlawz. It is the B-side to the single "How Do U Want It", released on June 4, 1996. The song's lyrics contain extremely vicious insults to several East Coast rappers, chiefly Shakur's former friend turned rival, the Notorious B.I.G. (also referred to colloquially as Biggie Smalls). The song was recorded at Can Am Studios on April 19, 1996. A previous version of the song was recorded on October 31, 1995. Reporter Chuck Philips, who interviewed Shakur at Can Am in 1995, described the song as "a caustic anti–East Coast jihad in which the rapper threatens to eliminate Biggie, Puffy, and a slew of Bad Boy artists and other New York acts". The song was produced by long-time collaborator Johnny "J". The video, itself described as infamous, includes impersonations of Biggie, Puffy and Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil' Kim. "Hit 'Em Up" had a large role in exacerbating the East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry. Following its release, the East Coast rappers insulted in the song responded through tracks of their own. The controversy surrounding the song is due in part to Shakur's murder in a drive-by-shooting only three months after its release. The song is regarded as among the greatest diss tracks ever recorded.