"I Shot Ya" is a song by American rapper LL Cool J featuring Keith Murray, from his sixth album Mr. Smith.
The remix version, which featured Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Fat Joe, and Foxy Brown, of the song was released as a B-side to "Hey Lover", but received a video directed by Hype Williams, leading some to believe the track was an actual single from the album.
Produced by Trackmasters, the remix was released in 1995 for Def Jam Recordings, and peaked at number 55 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for the Billboard charts.
The song was recorded at Chung King Studios, and both versions were created from a sample of "Put it on the Line" by singer Lyn Collins.
[1] While LL and the Trackmasters were working on the song, Fat Joe happened to be in another room one day, writing lyrics for his second album Jealous One's Envy.
Both the original and remix versions are braggadocious responses from LL to people who doubted his musical and rhyming abilities, which followed the commercial disappointments of several past releases.
However, LL Cool J did take a lyrical aim at Kool Moe Dee, MC Hammer, and Ice-T, claiming that he emerged triumphant against all three with "To da Break of Dawn", a single that was released from his fourth album Mama Said Knock You Out.
Despite not being successful or recognized as an actual single, as the case with "Hey Lover", "Doin' It", and "Loungin", the remix version became notable for several reasons.
[10] Ironically, the record does feature a subliminal aim from Prodigy to Murray, continuing friction that started sometime prior with an interlude from Mobb Deep's 1995 The Infamous album.