My Hitta
by YG

Album: Boss Yo Life Up Gang (2013)
Charted: 53 19
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After LA-based rapper YG announced that his debut album would be executive produced by Jeezy, the pair begun frequently collaborating. The fruits of their labors included this ode to love and loyalty, which was initially released as a track on a EP released by the Atlanta rapper's label, CTE World, #It'sThaWorld. The song was then included on the first official CTE World mixtape, Boss Yo Life Up Gang. Released as the record's lead single, it became YG's first Hot 100 Top 40 hit.
  • The song is actually titled "My Ni-ga," with the edited version being called "My Hitta."
  • This banger also features a verse by Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan, who also performs the hook. It was recorded around the time he was breaking with the street anthem "Type Of Way."
  • The beat was supplied by DJ Mustard. The Californian producer is YG's DJ, and his other credits include the hit singles Tyga's "Rack City" and 2 Chainz's "I'm Different."
  • DJ Mustard was born Dijon McFarlane. The producer admitted during an interview that he doesn't like the yellow condiment. "I don't even eat mustard," he said. "That s--t is nasty."
  • YG recruited an all-star cast on the song's remix, grabbing verses from Lil Wayne, Rich Homie Quan, Meek Mill, and Nicki Minaj.
  • The song was also included on YG's debut album, My Krazy Life. The record was originally titled I'm 4rm Bompton - the replacement of the "C" in Compton with a "B," is a common switch among Bloods gang members. YG changed the disc's name to My Krazy Life on the advice of Young Jeezy. "He said, 'If you come out with an album (called) 'I'm 4rm Bompton,' you'll only be (catering) to a certain crowd of people,'" the Compton rapper told USA Today.
  • YG did the song in one take at Quad Studios. He knew it was going to be a street anthem as soon as Rich Homie Quan got done with the hook. He told The Boombox: "We put it out and it started doing what we thought it was gonna do, but then the DJs started playing it on the radio and making their own clean versions and everybody was calling in like, 'Ay, this the s–t!' So we're like damn, how the f--k we gonna clean this song up?

    "It took us like three weeks to figure out the clean. That was a little cold ass situation."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.