Hit 'Em Up – English Lyrics

• By: 2Pac

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw intensity of 2Pac's "Hit 'Em Up," a legendary diss track that ignited the East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry. This song offers a powerful glimpse into the aggressive lyricism and cultural tension of 90s rap, providing a rich context for understanding the language and history of hip-hop beefs. Discover how 2Pac's provocative wordplay shaped an era and challenged the very notion of musical conflict.

[English]

♪ I AIN'T GOT NO FRIENDS ♪

♪ YEAH, I'MA DO THIS TRACK ♪

♪ WESTSIDE ♪

♪ M-O-B, BAD BOY KILLA (LAUGHS) ♪

♪ HEY FAT BOY ♪

♪ FIRST OFF, TOUCHED YOUR CHICK AND THE CLIQUE YOU CLAIM ♪

♪ WESTSIDE, WHEN WE RIDE, COME EQUIPPED WITH GAME ♪

♪ YOU CLAIM TO BE A PLAYER, BUT I BUST YOUR WIFE ♪

♪ WE BUST ON BAD BOYS, BROTHERS TOUCHED FOR LIFE ♪

♪ PLUS PUFFY TRYING TO SEE ME, WEAK HEARTS I RIP ♪

♪ BIGGIE SMALLS AND JUNIOR M.A.F.I.A. ♪

♪ ARE SOME MARK-ASS TRICKS ♪

♪ WE KEEP ON COMING WHILE WE GUNNING FOR YOUR JEWELS ♪

♪ STEADY RUSHING, WHILE WE BUSTING AT THEM FOOLS ♪

♪ YOU KNOW THE RULES ♪

♪ LIL' CAESAR GO ASK YOUR HOMIE HOW I'LL LEAVE YOU ♪

♪ CUT YOUR TRICK ASS UP ♪

♪ LEAVE YOU IN PIECES, NOW BE DECEASED ♪

♪ LIL' KIM, DON'T CONVERSATE WITH REAL G'S ♪

♪ QUICK TO SNATCH YO' UGLY ASS OFF THE STREETS ♪

♪ YOU LITTLE WEAVE ♪

♪ I'LL LET THEM SUCKAS KNOW IT'S ON FOR LIFE ♪

♪ DON'T LET THE WESTSIDE RIDE THE NIGHT (LAUGHS) ♪

♪ BAD BOY MURDERED ON WAX AND KILLED ♪

♪ MESS WITH ME AND GET YOUR CAPS PEELED ♪

♪ YOU KNOW ♪

♪ GRAB YOUR GLOCKS WHEN YOU SEE 2PAC ♪

♪ CALL THE COPS WHEN YOU SEE 2PAC ♪

♪ WHO SHOT ME, BUT YOUR PUNKS DIDN'T FINISH ♪

♪ NOW YOU ABOUT TO FEEL THE WRATH OF A MENACE ♪

♪ SUCKA, I HIT 'EM UP ♪

♪ YEAH, STRAIGHT OUT ON THE BAD BOY CAMP ♪

♪ YOU KNOW HOW WE DO IT ♪

♪ ALL MY REAL HOMEBOYS IN NEW YORK KEEP THUGGIN' ♪

♪ ALL THE REST OF YOU BUSTAS DIE SLOW (LAUGHS) ♪

♪ GET OUT THE WAY YO, HUSSEIN FATAL ♪

♪ Y'KNOW BIGGIE SMALLS JUST GOT DROPPED ♪

♪ LITTLE MOO', PASS THE MAC ♪

♪ AND LET ME HIT HIM IN HIS BACK ♪

♪ FRANK WHITE NEEDS TO GET SPANKED RIGHT FOR SETTIN' TRAPS ♪

♪ LITTLE ACCIDENT MURDERER ♪

♪ AND I AIN'T NEVER HEARD OF YA ♪

♪ POISONOUS GATS ATTACK WHEN I'M SERVIN' YA ♪

♪ SHANK YA, SPANK YA WHOLE STYLE WHEN I GANK ♪

♪ GUARD YOUR RANK 'CAUSE I'MA SLAM THAT ASS IN THE PAINT ♪

♪ PUFFY WEAKER THAN A BLOCK THAT I'M RUNNIN' THROUGH ♪

♪ AND I'M SMOKIN' JUNIOR M.A.F.I.A. IN FRONT OF YOU ♪

♪ WITH THE READY POWER ♪

♪ TUCKED IN MY GUESS UNDER MY EDDIE BAUER ♪

♪ YOUR CLOUT PETTY SOUR ♪

♪ I PUSH PACKAGES EVERY HOUR ♪

♪ I HIT 'EM UP ♪

♪ GRAB YOUR GLOCKS WHEN YOU SEE 2PAC ♪

♪ CALL THE COPS WHEN YOU SEE 2PAC ♪

♪ WHO SHOT ME, BUT YOUR PUNKS DIDN'T FINISH ♪

♪ NOW YOU ABOUT TO FEEL THE WRATH OF A MENACE ♪

♪ BUSTA, I HIT 'EM UP ♪

♪ PEEP HOW WE DO IT, KEEP IT REAL, IT'S PENITENTIARY STEEL ♪

♪ THIS AIN'T NO FREESTYLE BATTLE ♪

♪ ALL YOU SUCKERS GETTIN' KILLED WITH YOUR MOUTHS OPEN ♪

♪ TRYIN' TO COME UP OFF OF ME ♪

♪ YOU IN THE CLOUDS HOPIN', SMOKIN' DOPE ♪

♪ IT'S LIKE A SHERM HIGH, BROTHERS THINK THEY LEARNED TO FLY ♪

♪ BUT THEY BURN LITTLE SUCKERS, YOU DESERVE TO DIE ♪

♪ TALKIN' ABOUT YOU GETTIN' MONEY BUT IT'S FUNNY TO ME ♪

♪ ALL YOU SUCKERS LIVIN' BUMMY WHILE YOU MESSIN' WITH ME ♪

♪ I'M A SELF-MADE MILLIONAIRE ♪

♪ THUG LIVIN', OUT OF PRISON, PISTOLS IN THE AIR ♪

♪ BIGGIE REMEMBER WHEN I USE TO LET YOU SLEEP ON THE COUCH ♪

♪ AND BEG THE TRICK THAT I LET YOU SLEEP IN THE HOUSE ♪

♪ NOW IT'S ALL ABOUT VERSACE, YOU COPIED MY STYLE ♪

♪ FIVE SHOTS COULDN'T DROP ME, I TOOK IT AND SMILED ♪

♪ NOW I'M BACK TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT, WITH MY A-K ♪

♪ I'M STILL THE THUG THAT YOU LOVE TO HATE ♪

♪ LITTLE BUSTA, I'LL HIT 'EM UP ♪

♪ I'M FROM N-E-W JERS' WHERE PLENTY OF MURDERS OCCURS ♪

♪ NO POINTS OR COMMAS, WE BRING DRAMA TO ALL YOU HERBS ♪

♪ NOW GO CHECK THE SCENARIO: LIL' CEASE ♪

♪ I'LL BRING MY ENEMIES TO THE KNEES ♪

♪ COPPIN' PLEAS IN DE JANEIRO ♪

♪ BIG MOMMA, IS YOU COKED UP OR DOPED UP? ♪

♪ GET YOUR LITTLE JUNIOR WHOPPER CLICK SMOKED UP ♪

♪ PLEASE TELL ME IS YOU STUPID? ♪

♪ I TAKE MONEY, CRASH AND MASH THROUGH BROOKLYN ♪

♪ WITH MY CLICK LOOTIN', SHOOTIN' AND POLLUTIN' YOUR BLOCK ♪

♪ WITH A 15-SHOT COCKED GLOCK TO YOUR KNOT ♪

♪ OUTLAW MAFIA CLIQUE MOVIN' UP ANOTHER NOTCH ♪

♪ AND YOUR POP STARS POPPED AND GET MOPPED AND DROPPED ♪

♪ ALL YOUR FAKE-ASS EAST COAST PROPS BRAINSTORMED AND LOCKED ♪

♪ YOU'S A BEAT BITER, A PAC STYLE TAKER ♪

♪ I'LL TELL YOU TO YOUR FACE YOU AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A FAKER ♪

♪ SOFTER THAN ALIZE WITH A CHASER ♪

♪ ABOUT TO GET MURDERED FOR THE PAPER ♪

♪ E.D.I. MEAN APPROACH THE SCENE OF THE CAPER ♪

♪ LIKE A LOC, WITH PRODIGY IN A CHOKE ♪

♪ GUN TOTIN' SMOKE, OUTLAWZ WE AIN'T NO JOKE ♪

♪ THUG LIFE, COWARDS BETTER BE KNOWIN' ♪

♪ WE APPROACHIN' IN THE WIDE-OPEN, GUN SMOKIN' ♪

♪ NO NEED FOR HOPIN', IT'S A BATTLE LOST ♪

♪ I GOT 'EM CROSSED AS SOON AS THE FUNK IS BOPPIN' OFF ♪

♪ I HIT 'EM UP ♪

♪ EMPTY CLIPS, SET TRIP ♪

♪ YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS ♪

♪ WESTSIDE, OUTLAW, THUG LIFE TILL WE DIE ♪

♪ CALIFORNIA LOVE, CALIFORNIA THUG ♪

♪ YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS ♪

♪ BAD BOY KILLA ♪

♪ MOBB DEEP KILLA ♪

♪ CHINO XL KILLA ♪

♪ MUCH LOVE TO SMIF-N-WESSUN, FREDDIE FOXXX ♪

♪ PUDGEE THA PHAT BASTARD, NAUGHTY BY NATURE ♪

♪ AND ALL THE REAL THUGS OUT THERE ♪

♪ WHO FI BROKE-BROKE AN WHO FI RICH-RICH ♪

♪ KEEP IT COMIN' ♪

♪ OUTLAW IMMORTAL ♪

♪ WILL NEVER SWITCH (WESTSIDE) ♪

♪ POLICE INFORMA, YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS ♪

♪ DI BWOY DEM A SNITCH ♪

♪ ALL MY REAL HOMEBOYS IN JERSEY, GET UP ♪

♪ NEW YORK UNO BETTER RESPECT 2PAC ♪

♪ OUTLAW, THUG LIFE, TO DIE ♪

♪ JEALOUSY SOME OF THEM ACT LIKE IDIAT ♪

♪ WESTSIDE ♪

♪ HANGIN' PONDI CORNER AN SMOKE NUFF CRACK ♪

♪ OUTLAW ♪

♪ 2PAC A DI ARTICAL AN' DATS A FACT ♪

♪ SO SAY DIS AN' SO SAY DAT ♪

♪ YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS ♪

♪ NEW YORK UNO BETTER RESPECT 2PAC ♪

♪ LOVE BOUT YOU, HATE ABOUT ME ♪

♪ GUN TALKIN' AUTOMATIC MINIS ♪

♪ ELEVEN'S, FO'TEENS ♪

♪ WHATEVER ♪

♪ JAMAICAN POSSE, YES, WE LOVE 2PAC ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
thug /θʌɡ/ C1	noun - A violent criminal or gangster
murder /ˈmɜːrdər/ B2	verb - To kill someone unlawfully noun - Unlawful killing of a person
bust /bʌst/ C1	verb - To attack or shoot (slang)
hit /hɪt/ A2	verb - To strike or attack
menace /ˈmenəs/ C1	noun - Threat or dangerous person
sucker /ˈsʌkər/ B2	noun - Gullible person or fool (slang)
trick /trɪk/ B1	noun - Deceitful person (slang)
clique /kliːk/ C1	noun - Exclusive group or gang
glock /ɡlɒk/ C2	noun - Brand of semi-automatic pistol
shot /ʃɒt/ B1	verb - Fired a gun noun - Gunfire or bullet wound
paper /ˈpeɪpər/ B2	noun - Money (slang)
rank /ræŋk/ B2	noun - Status or position in hierarchy
jewels /ˈdʒuːəlz/ B1	noun - Valuable possessions or jewelry
player /ˈpleɪər/ B1	noun - Someone who manipulates others (slang)
real /rɪəl/ A1	adjective - Authentic or genuine
weak /wiːk/ A2	adjective - Lacking strength or power
petty /ˈpeti/ B2	adjective - Unimportant or trivial
stupid /ˈstjuːpɪd/ A2	adjective - Lacking intelligence
ugly /ˈʌɡli/ A2	adjective - Unpleasant to look at

Key Grammar Structures

• ♪ I AIN'T GOT NO FRIENDS ♪

  ➔ Contraction + Negative + Verb + Quantifier

  ➔ Uses the contracted form "ain't" (am not/is not/are not), the negative adverb "no", a verb "got" and the quantifier "no" before the noun "friends".

• ♪ FIRST OFF, TOUCHED YOUR CHICK AND THE CLIQUE YOU CLAIM ♪

  ➔ Imperative + Past Tense + Possessive + Relative clause

  ➔ The line contains an imperative verb ("Touched"), the past tense of the verb "to touch", the possessive pronoun "your", and a relative clause "you claim" to clarify the clique.

• ♪ YOU CLAIM TO BE A PLAYER, BUT I BUST YOUR WIFE ♪

  ➔ Verb + Infinitive + Conjunction + Verb + Possessive + Noun

  ➔ Uses the verb "claim" with an infinitive "to be", the conjunction "but" to create contrast, verb "bust" with possessive pronoun "your" and noun "wife".

• ♪ WE BUST ON BAD BOYS, BROTHERS TOUCHED FOR LIFE ♪

  ➔ Verb + Preposition + Adjective + Noun, Noun + Verb + Preposition + Noun

  ➔ Uses verbs to describe an action with prepositional phrases for context, including the phrase "touched for life" (meaning imprisoned for life).

• ♪ PLUS PUFFY TRYING TO SEE ME, WEAK HEARTS I RIP ♪

  ➔ Adverb + Verb + Infinitive, Adjective + Noun + Pronoun + Verb

  ➔ Combines a verb with an infinitive phrase, and a subject-verb-object structure with a descriptive adjective.

• ♪ ARE SOME MARK-ASS TRICKS ♪

  ➔ Verb + Quantifier + Adjective + Noun

  ➔ Uses the verb "are", followed by the quantifier "some", an adjective "mark-ass" and the noun "tricks".

• ♪ WE KEEP ON COMING WHILE WE GUNNING FOR YOUR JEWELS ♪

  ➔ Verb + Preposition + Verb-ing + Conjunction + Pronoun + Verb-ing + Preposition + Possessive + Noun

  ➔ Uses the phrasal verb "keep on coming" and the conjunction "while" to create the parallel structure. The focus is on violent actions.

• ♪ GRAB YOUR GLOCKS WHEN YOU SEE 2PAC ♪

  ➔ Imperative + Possessive + Noun + Conjunction + Pronoun + Verb + Number + Noun

  ➔ This line uses an imperative verb "grab" to command, and a conditional clause starting with "when". The name "2Pac" is treated as a noun.