The song's lyrics contain vicious insults to several East Coast rappers, chiefly Shakur's former friend turned rival, the Notorious B.I.G.

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, Puffy, and a slew of Bad Boy artists and other New York acts.

[7][8] The bassline of the soundtrack is a sample from a song called 'Don't Look Any Further', by ex-Temptation Dennis Edwards that was previously used in Eric B.

The ferocity of Shakur's raging vocals,[9] as said by long-time collaborator and producer of "Hit 'Em Up" Johnny J, was entirely authentic.

[4] Johnny "J" also stated that he had never seen Shakur so angry and that the words he rapped were in no way an act,[11] describing the recording process as the most "hard-core he had ever done.

"[12] In a Vibe interview, the rapper called out Sean "Puffy" Combs and Biggie Smalls and accused both of them of setting him up, or of having knowledge of the attack and not warning him.

He also singled out businessmen James Rosemond ("Jimmy Henchman"), and Jacques Agnant ("Haitian Jack") of orchestrating the assault.

A former Vibe editor denied receiving threats, but neglected to explain why the magazine substituted aliases for Henchman and Haitian Jack.

", which he perceived were mocking his violent shooting at Quad Studios in the songs hook, by saying "Who shot me?/But you punks didn't finish/Now you're about to feel the wrath of a menace.

"[15] He also used the song as a platform to express his belief that Biggie was guilty of stealing his style of rapping, and was merely imitating his lifestyle.

[17][18] "Hit 'Em Up" features much profanity, using the words "fuck" or "motherfucker" 46 times in the song, and was issued a Parental Advisory label.

People at the studio told the reporter that Faith Evans also contributed – that the R&B chanteuse recorded one or more "Take Money" background vocals that would appear on "Hit Em Up.

"[1] Regarding his October 1995 interview of the rapper, Philips remembered in 2012; "I was so unaware of the bi-coastal rap war that I suspected nothing when Faith Evans appeared with Shakur at Can Am.

The estranged wife of Biggie was recording background vocals for "Wonda Why They Call U Bitch", a song which was at the time yet to be released.

Using this against Biggie in "Hit 'Em Up", Shakur continued to fuel the rumors of a sexual relationship with Evans in the song's line "You claim to be a player, but I fucked your wife.

[6] Shakur also attacked many other people associated with Bad Boy Records and with Biggie,[15] such as Lil' Kim and Junior M.A.F.I.A.

[6] Bronx rapper Chino XL was also insulted for vulgar comments he made about Shakur on his song "Riiiot!".

The music video for "Hit 'Em Up" was filmed in a warehouse off Slauson Avenue near the Fox Hills Mall in Los Angeles on June 3, 1996.

"[36] Documentary filmmaker Carl Weston believed that "most people in Biggie's shoes would have wanted to at least hurt Tupac" in a Spin magazine interview.

[40] Among musicians, the song drew criticism from singer Dionne Warwick,[41] and disapproval from fellow rappers Kool Moe Dee and Chuck D, as written in their book There's a God on the Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs.

[44] The song has been viewed as the turning point in the feud between Tupac and Biggie, where things were said and rapped which could never be taken back during the remainder of Shakur's life.

[46] "Hit 'Em Up" has been studied by and with academics,[47] and it has been used as a part of a series of lessons for building the means to communicate with younger people.

[12] Regarding the lyrics aimed at his wife Faith, Biggie expressed an inability to find merit in what Shakur had claimed.

[5] Biggie responded to this matter in a similar fashion to "Hit 'Em Up", rapping in a joint release by himself and Jay-Z in the song "Brooklyn's Finest",[51] where he says "If Faye have twins, she'd probably have two Pacs.

"[52] Shortly after the release of "Hit 'Em Up", Evans went on the radio and admitted that she had been with Shakur, but continued to deny their relationship was sexual.

[54]Lil' Kim responded on the original version of her song "Big Momma Thang", which was aimed at Biggie's wife, Faith Evans, and Shakur.

[64] In the second half of Eminem's song "Quitter", the rapper attempts to remake "Hit 'Em Up" and in itself is a diss track aimed towards Everlast.

Producers Cain McKnight and Jonathan Hay reimagined ″Hit 'Em Up″ in the genres of house music and jazz with Fat Beats Records.