Hittman: The TRAGIC Story Of Dr. Dre’s Former Protégé

[Tony Trey]

I never thought much of Hittman personally. But putting aside my own personal feelings towards him, he never had a chance. His first major exposure to mainstream audiences was 2001 and really all the conversation about that album was about Snoop, Eminem, and Xzibit. All of Hittman's contributions were basically ignored.

[BJV]

Since when is running out of money and getting a job "tragic" 

[doggfather]

Since when is running out of money and getting a job "tragic" 

+1.

I thought hes dead...

[Lucifuge]

Whats up with hittman these days? Its right time to back in the game, to rade this wave from snoop and dre, and some nostalgic shit.

[TraceOneInfinite]

doubt that’s true

murder weapon was complete and did have the 2001 sound

just never ended up dropping on aftermath

Come on homie, name three songs that have a 2001 sound other than the obvious "Last Days".   I remember there was one nice joint with Knoc "Let Shit Go" or something like that but that's all I remember was "Last Dayz", one other dope one, and nothing after that.  And even "Let Shit Go" I'm not sure the production really sounds like 2001.  It sounds like something any producer could've done—not quite the Mel or Dre POP in the speakers.  I know its unfinished and demo but still that 6'2" leaked shit bangs way harder.

And is Hittmanic verses the same thing as Murder Weapon?  I had the Murder Weapon leak back when it first leaked but now on ITunes there's a Hittmanic verses but not sure if its the same

EDIT:  Okay, "Bloww" has Dre on it and sounds a bit like 2001

EDIT:  Okay, "Front Page" kind of has that 2001 sound but its nothing special

not sure these beats sound like 2001 Leftovers and if they are it's the bottom of the stash

[Sccit]

Come on homie, name three songs that have a 2001 sound other than the obvious "Last Days".   I remember there was one nice joint with Knoc "Let Shit Go" or something like that but that's all I remember was "Last Dayz", one other dope one, and nothing after that.  And even "Let Shit Go" I'm not sure the production really sounds like 2001.  It sounds like something any producer could've done—not quite the Mel or Dre POP in the speakers.  I know its unfinished and demo but still that 6'2" leaked shit bangs way harder.

And is Hittmanic verses the same thing as Murder Weapon?  I had the Murder Weapon leak back when it first leaked but now on ITunes there's a Hittmanic verses but not sure if its the same

EDIT:  Okay, "Bloww" has Dre on it and sounds a bit like 2001

EDIT:  Okay, "Front Page" kind of has that 2001 sound but its nothing special

not sure these beats sound like 2001 Leftovers and if they are it's the bottom of the stash

lol you’re trippin .. hittman album shits on 6’2 album

get myne
the hiznit
last dayz
watch out
let shit go
blaow
ass
front page
it ain’t safe


ALL clearly have the 2001 sound


i’ll tell u just from knowing you.. you never really listened to murder weapon like that. and since u used to listen to 6’2 album regularly during a time in your life where u were more optimistic, u have a nostalgic attachment to it

but make no mistake, murder weapon is classic

the hittmanic verses album from 2005 is actually not the exact tracklist as murder weapon .. it does have 95% of the same tracks tho

[The Predator]

Hittman (Highly Intense Tongue Talents Make All Nervous) came out of no-where, murdered 11 Dre/Mel-Man beats on '2001' then vanished into the smoke. Like a real Hit-man.

“In these drastic surroundings, it be sounding like Lebanon / Making fools “Retreat!” like Megatron / And Starscream; oh yeah I scream on stars / That get loot then crossover like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.”

Hittman :: Hittmanic Verses (Deluxe)



In an alternate timeline, Hittman is a household name. For many hip hop fans, he already is, thanks to his prominence on Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic 2001” – one of 1999’s biggest albums. Dre’s sophomore (because 1996’s “The Aftermath” was a compilation, it isn’t counted) cast any doubt aside over whether the Compton icon had lost his touch, continuing to sound incredible for a record that’s well over 20 years old. Masterfully engineered and thanks to a ridiculously deep cast of A-list artists, it sounds like the blockbuster moment it truly was. But amongst all the L.A. stalwarts, buzz-worthy emcees on the rise, and a certain Detroit wordsmith, a new name dominated Dre’s album more than any other – Hittman. With this much faith from the big Doctor, Hittman was destined to be a key artist on the Aftermath imprint.

So where did it all go wrong? There are a variety of factors that led to quite a few artists being promptly dropped by Dr. Dre, or left in limbo as albums never materialized. Between 1999 and 2005, Dre was arguably the most in-demand producer and was the executive producer on the following records:

    Eminem’s “The Slim Shady LP” (1999)
    Eminem’s “The Marshall Mathers LP” (2000)
    Xzibit’s “Restless” (2000)
    The Wash soundtrack (2001)
    Truth Hurts’ “Truthfully Speaking” (2002)
    Eminem’s “The Eminem Show” (2002)
    Xzibit’s “Man vs. Machine” (2002)
    50 Cent’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” (2003)
    Eminem’s “Encore” (2004)
    50 Cent’s “The Massacre” (2005)
    The Game’s “The Documentary” (2005)

Amongst that heavyweight run, Truth Hurts was fortunate to see her album release, bolstered by the hit single “Addictive”. The list of artists dropped by Aftermath is now infamously long and for many, it has been a curse more than a blessing. Hittman is one of these names, going on record to state that Dre’s focus is precious and if he was busy, it was difficult to fulfill all the signees’ wishes to make music. The guy’s a perfectionist, and his production often exemplifies that vision of flawlessness.

“Hittmanic Verses” originally released in 2005, right at the end of that illustrious run of albums listed above. This deluxe edition dropped in 2018 and adds “We Come Through”, “Slam”, “Now (Demo)”, “My, My, My”, “Hott Damn”, “Lick Da Balls” and “West Coast Shit”. Interestingly, it removes “The Hiznit”, “Ass” and “It Ain’t Safe” – two of these have Dr. Dre involvement according to Discogs.

“Last Dayz” remains the highlight of Hittman’s post-”2001” run, with a hook that could have seen him on hip hop radio. It was the B-side to Dr. Dre and Eminem’s “Forgot About Dre” and even had a minute teaser at the end of the “Forgot About Dre” video.

Hittman’s humor runs throughout “Last Dayz” and it feels like it would have fit in snugly on “The Chronic 2001” – Lord knows some of them skits could have been dropped. There are numerous leftovers from these sessions – “Front Page” itself is full of recited moments from Hittman’s appearances on the Dr. Dre album, named after the line from “Light Speed”. With that, it lacks its own identity, actually sounding wildly off-topic thanks to Hittman never receiving the “front page stardom” he clearly was promised on Aftermath. Even the structure of the song is off, with Hitt stating “Let me introduce myself” on the second verse.

Dre’s fingerprints are all over “Blaaow!” and it’s vicious, with Dre kicking off the track with some eye-opening lines:

“If you didn’t help me go platinum or suck my dick, you’re useless
8 ball to the gall for y’all who thought that Gatorade was baller juices
Saw the Aftermath recruits, rivals labels wanna call truces
Try to stall us, send their harlots to seduce us
We composed of brawlers, ballers, emcees, producers
No losers allowed, don’t be confusing the style
Chronic 2000, here and now BLAAOOW!''

The fact “Chronic 2000” is frequently referenced means this was recorded before the album name had to be changed (Suge Knight released a Death Row compilation named “Chronic 2000” in May 1999).

Battlecat shows Hittman had chemistry with other producers on the West Coast and his flow blossoms on the slow G-funk of “Let Shit Go” alongside fellow Aftermath talent Knoc-Turn’al. Speaking of which, Truth Hurts returns on “Hott Damn” and it’s a solid addition. The beat is unique and has that smooth bass that lends Hittman a platform to be his ignorant best. I’ve always been a fan of Truth’s voice and while she does still make music, it’s a shame she’s not as prominent in the scene these days.

The songs added to the deluxe edition seem to be recently recorded, with references to old rappers and even Deontay Wilder. The problem with these tracks is that (to put it bluntly) they are bad. The quality of the recordings are all over the place, often quieter than the older songs and possessing low-budget instrumentals. “My, My, My” tries to capture the magic Hitt had with Dre but it’s much ado about nothing. “Slam” has some cheap-ass snares. The quality of the “Now (Demo)” is horrible and shouldn’t have been included because it’s barely audible.

“Hittmanic Verses” isn’t as terrible as the title of the record, but does sum up the content on show. These are largely verses tied together with vague themes, relying on a blend of shelved Dr. Dre productions and forgettable songs Hittman did in the years after he quickly lost relevance. The 2005 edition is actually a better record because it doesn’t have the recent tracks. Both versions are worth checking out regardless, but this is a compilation of loosies sewn together. An actual Hittman album produced by Dr. Dre will always be something few knew they wanted but many will have enjoyed, particularly in the year 2000.

What happened to Time-Bomb?

[Dwax-187]

Hittman (Highly Intense Tongue Talents Make All Nervous) came out of no-where, murdered 11 Dre/Mel-Man beats on '2001' then vanished into the smoke. Like a real Hit-man.

“In these drastic surroundings, it be sounding like Lebanon / Making fools “Retreat!” like Megatron / And Starscream; oh yeah I scream on stars / That get loot then crossover like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.”


What happened to Time-Bomb?

Last I remember was the song by LA Confidential: Lets All Roll.

Slip Capone, Time Bomb, Jayo Felony, Butch Cassidy.  Still bumping it 20 years later.

[teecee]

I’ve never spun the Hittman album in its entirety. Truthfully, his contributions to 2001 weren’t all that noteable somehow (aside from Big Ego’s).  Almost every other guest outshined him (Snoop and Em obviously, but especially Devin the Dude and 6’2)

[Sccit]

I’ve never spun the Hittman album in its entirety. Truthfully, his contributions to 2001 weren’t all that noteable somehow (aside from Big Ego’s).  Almost every other guest outshined him (Snoop and Em obviously, but especially Devin the Dude and 6’2)

we’re forgetting that Hittman actually wrote a lot of Dres stuff too

so his contributions were major .. and overall far more integral than someone like devin or 6’2

[teecee]

we’re forgetting that Hittman actually wrote a lot of Dres stuff too

so his contributions were major .. and overall far more integral than someone like devin or 6’2

I know that he was a big piece of that album, I’m just saying his actual rapping wasn’t all that noteworthy.  Like someone else said, his verse on What’s the Difference was nothing much, but Xzibit smashed that shit

[Sccit]

I know that he was a big piece of that album, I’m just saying his actual rapping wasn’t all that noteworthy.  Like someone else said, his verse on What’s the Difference was nothing much, but Xzibit smashed that shit

well yea..

xzibit, snoop, em, devin etc are all bigger stars no doubt

i agree hittman lacks the it factor.. he doesn’t stand out enough

but just as a pure rapper, dude was raw af.. and his album was classic regardless

[WCThang]

Last I remember was the song by LA Confidential: Lets All Roll.

Slip Capone, Time Bomb, Jayo Felony, Butch Cassidy.  Still bumping it 20 years later.

Let's All Roll is an absolute banger

[WCThang]

yea .. it ended up dropping with a different title


https://open.spotify.com/album/2pKygzZITdyevIKO48lC2j

Wow was gonna be 3 Knoc-turn'al features on here.

I never realized Hittmanic Verses was EXACTLY what the debut album was gonna be.

[Sccit]

Wow was gonna be 3 Knoc-turn'al features on here.

I never realized Hittmanic Verses was EXACTLY what the debut album was gonna be.

i think it’s about 90% the same

there’s a couple tracks replaced by a couple newer ones iirc

i just wana ride & west coast wasnt on the murder weapon leak