Producer Johnny "J" said that Shakur was first fueled by his anger against Biggie and Bad Boy Records because he thought that they had a part in the November 30, 1994 ambush and attack on Shakur. Shakur was also angry at Biggie's release of "Who Shot Ya?" only months after the shooting happened, and even though it did not mention his name, Shakur believed that it was directed towards him, but it was not. Shakur admitted that he had released "Hit 'Em Up" as a response to "Who Shot Ya?", almost two months after the 1994 ambush.