Holler If Ya Hear Me (Original Version)

Overview

Holler If Ya Hear Me (Original Version) is the earliest known studio recording of what would later become 2Pac's 1993 single Holler If Ya Hear Me. Produced by Live Squad, the original version features guest performances from Stretch and Majesty and presents a noticeably different arrangement from the officially released recording.

Rather than serving as a rough demo, the recording is a fully developed studio performance featuring additional verses and a simpler production. It documents the song before 2Pac reworked it into the solo version that appeared on Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z..

Among collectors, the original version is regarded as one of the most significant unreleased collaborations between 2Pac and Live Squad, providing a rare glimpse into the creative process behind one of 2Pac's best-known early songs.

Recording History

The song was recorded during the Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. sessions in 1992 while 2Pac was working closely with Stretch and Majesty. During this period Live Squad contributed to several recordings including 5 Deadly Venoms, Strugglin', Flex and the commercially released Holler If Ya Hear Me.

The original recording features both Stretch and Majesty alongside 2Pac and contains a different musical arrangement from the final album version. During production the song was substantially revised, with Live Squad's guest verses removed before its release as the lead single from Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z..

Although never officially released, the recording has circulated among collectors for many years and is widely regarded as one of the most important alternate versions from 2Pac's early catalogue.

Release History

Year	Release	Format	Notes
1992	Studio Recording	Unreleased	Original version featuring Stretch and Majesty.
1992	Troublesome 21	Cassette	Promotional cassette release.
1993	Berryclear Sprite Remix Promotional Vinyl	12" Promo Vinyl	The B-side contains the instrumental of the original unreleased version.

Samples

• Scarface; Born Killer (Multiple Elements)
• B.T. Express; You Got Something (Multiple Elements)
• Pumpkin;; Feel the Heart Beat (Drums)
• Syl Johnson; Different Strokes (Vocals / Lyrics)
• Funk, Inc.; Kool Is Back (Drums)

Lyrics

2Pac

Yeah, it’s on.
Muthafucking Live Squad in the house.
We gonna set this shit off for these old square ass punk muthafuckers.
It’s on, it’s on, it’s on.
Holla if ya hear me.

I got a nine thing ready to go BANG BANG!
On the first crooked cop that even comes near me.
I beg your pardon, call the guards in, Chief Gates
Can’t wait to see your face, better move to another state.
BOOM BOOM rebelistic slugs are realistic,
The 12 guage will leave you twisted.
The government is getting shadier,
And therefore, niggas getting crazier.
Huh, and 5-0 can’t fade the havenotz,
Shoulda learned when them OGs trashed Watts
Move on, move on, move on,
Still wicked, learned to kick it, get my groove on.
And you can say no to drugs, but you can’t say no to the thugs with slugs.
Tell the president it’s evident his war,
Wouldn’t know a gangbanger from a fucking whore!
Rather read the Source, flip through rap pages, black pages, speaking on black rages.
We don’t even know the scoop, and the truth is the troops can’t hold the youth.
Send em down with they tanks and AK-47s, what the fuck you niggas drinking?
Now tell me what you’re thinking?
You can roll through the hood and not get a spankin’,
Niggas got they strap on,
When they pop a cap it’s ain’t never black on black,
They watching where they shoot, and they careful where they loot,
Check the fields and you'll find proof
Black business staying til the end,
fooled a nigga one time won’t work again.
Let's get along with the Mexicans, and we can all have peace on the sets again.
And I love it when they fear me,
If I’m spittin’ to you clearly,
Nigga holla if ya hear me.

holla if ya hear me
yeah, nigga holla if ya hear me
holla if ya hear me, yo

2Pac

To the preacher in the pulpit peep it
If you’re gonna preach about "turn the other cheek" you can keep it.
In ’92 niggas don’t need it,
They beating brothers in the streets and you’re talkin’ bout peace.
Now ain’t that some fly shit,
just sit, be quiet, wait to die quick.
Listen to y’all, we lost Malcolm and Hampton,
Instead of an army we was marching and chanting;
“We shall overcome”
Though we can’t do shit with a rock and a stick.
Niggas better learn to shoot a fucking gun.
And I’ve done heard enough from,
The racist bitch ass judge and the white trucker.
He shoulda kept his mouth on shut,
Wanted to kick dust til some niggas rolled his ass up.
And when I see the first full moon,
I’m coming after Koon, watch a nigga go BOOM BOOM!
Then I want Briseno,
Two to the head, now he’s headed out to Reno.
And stuff Powell in the trunk let him ride,
Tie him up nigga watch his friend Wind die
Young Guns, niggas better fear me,
Mothafuck the cops,
You’re best to holla if ya hear me.

Yeah, holla if you muthafuckin’ hear me.
It’s on once a-muthafucking-gain
Young Guns International.
All across this muthafuckin’ country.
Yo Maj, spark that shit

Majesty

It’s a miracle, I was born to amaze.
Put em in a daze, in the morgue is where I’ll make em stay,
Undeniable kid I’m coming through,
With authority, ever since I was a tot I was disorderly
Puff a blunt, roll a clip, make dough,
Grab a ho, but move her slow, gotta do it quick, then she gotta go.
We’re thuggadon kingpins, your Majesty,
Springfield, Young Guns causing tradegy.
We got him in a smash, for his life he just begged,
But I chopped his ass up and sent his mama his god damn legs,
Black mafia, huh, this is organized crime,
That's how it is where I’m from, if you don’t know the time,
Impact from the blast, breaking down walls,
A five feet killer with no sense at all
Inner city, ain’t it a pity, seems it will never end,
Then they killed my friend, now to Hell I'm gonna send,
a lot of motherfuckers, and that’s how it goes,
Til another nigga puts me down below.
Yeah, so holla if ya hear me.

[gunshots]

Move something muthafucker.

2Pac

Yeah, Maj, spit on that nigga man, shoot that nigga.
Yo Stretch drop the bomb, yo Stretch drop the bomb.
Yeah muthafucker

Stretch

[coughs]

God Damn, uh!
Let a nigga clear my throat,
Niggas blowing up shit, gotta flow in the smoke.
So if ya hear me, holla, don’t fear me,
but when I drop the mic don’t want no groupie niggas near me
Pac and the Squad, the bent cops is where the marks is
What they don’t know is that they fuckin’ with the Heartless.
Reigning supreme, it’s not a dream, nigga listen,
When the YGz roll cops start pissing
So holla if ya hear me.