Hit 'Em Up
by Tyga

Album: Hotel California (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This shares the same title as Tupac's 1996 diss record, "Hit Em Up." The song, released as a Death Row Records single B-side to "How Do U Want It?," found the rapper verbally attacking Notorious B.I.G., as well as alleging that he'd slept with Biggie's wife, Faith Evans. Tyga later clarified that his version was not a remake of the late rapper's controversial tune, instead he had got his hands on some unreleased Tupac vocals.
  • Tyga told MTV News that his tune had some contention, but not to the extent of Tupac's original tune. "When you're talking about 'Hit 'Em Up' you ain't really dissing nobody," he said, "but you lettin' it be known that you don't rock with certain people."
  • Tyga originally had intended on Nicki Minaj featured on the song but later decided to have veteran New York rapper Jadakiss on it before adding the Tupac vocals "I wanted Nicki to be on the song at first and then we never did it, so then I went back to the song later," he revealed to MTV News.
    "I sent it to Jadakiss and after that I was done with the song and then I had came across some 'Pac vocals from a friend," Tyga continued, detailing the process on how his song came together. "I was like, 'Man this would be dope.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.