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"Hit 'Em Up" is a diss track by hip-hop artist 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 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 in 1996. A previous version of the song was recorded in October 1995.
Reporter Chuck Philips, who interviewed Shakur at Can Am, described the song as "a caustic anti–East Coast jihad in which the rapper threatens to eliminate Biggie, Puff, 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 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 widely regarded as among the greatest diss tracks ever recorded.
Finishing the recording of the song, Shakur felt very positively about the track, saying:
"The song is going to be playing in every club, every country. Deejays are calling from everywhere, wanting to get a piece of this."
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