Released: 1993
“Had 2 Gat Ya” by Brotha Lynch Hung is a track that embodies the gritty and aggressive spirit often found in West Coast gangster rap. It tells the tale of violence, crime, and street life, deeply entrenched in the themes of murder, retribution, and the inevitable fate awaiting those immersed in such a lifestyle. Through dark imagery and an unfiltered lyrical style, Lynch crafts a narrative that’s both intense and unsettling.
In the opening, Brotha Lynch Hung asserts his dominance with a chilling calmness. He declares that he’s aligned with ‘the force,’ which could refer to a criminal network or simply his lethal prowess. When he mentions ‘oil my chrome,’ he’s preparing his firearm for action, and it’s a foreboding start, setting a murderous tone that’s fueled by inherent rage and violence – suggesting this path is almost embedded in his DNA.
He continues to explore this idea with ‘murder in my blood and in my chromosome,’ underscoring a feeling that violence is a fundamental part of his identity. The use of ‘chromosome’ particularly indicates an almost predestined nature, where his criminal tendencies are seen as unavoidable. The vivid language Lynch uses serves to paint him not as a simple thug but as someone for whom crime is an existential experience.
In the next segment, there’s a shift from abstract to tangible action. Lynch talks about concealing his weapon, represented as ‘pack a gun in my dang a lang,’ likely referring to hiding his firearm discreetly on his person. There’s a self-awareness in lines like ‘that nigga that claim,’ suggesting he’s different from those who simply pose; he doesn’t have to brag because his reputation speaks volumes.
Then, things take a darkly religious twist with ‘eating Jesus brains,’ a stark metaphor for sin and blasphemy, reinforcing the extremity of his acts. Wearing black and creeping are emblematic of preparing for death or, in Lynch’s case, dealing it. It’s clear from ‘momma told a muthafucka he’d be dead in a week,’ that the path he’s on is recognized as dangerous even by his own family.
Moving into the hook and chorus, we hit ‘187 on a nigga nigga nigga, you know I had 2 Gat Ya,’ which references California Penal Code section 187 – murder. The repeated ‘You know I had 2 Gat Ya’ underlines the sense of inevitability and necessity he feels toward committing these violent acts, as though the lifestyle demands it and he has no choice.
In the next verse, Lynch intensifies the narrative, playing out violent scenarios with a relentless rhythm. Phrases like ‘picture your death’ and ‘trigga goes Pop! Pop! Pop!’ are direct and chilling, painting the vivid and visceral consequences of living a violent life. Lynch is depicting a world where taking a life is just part of daily existence, indicated by his casual reference to shooting as if it were a regular activity.
There’s a continuation of the juxtaposition of color and race with ‘white nigga, black trigga cracks every mothafuckas back,’ a line that blurs racial lines and unites people through violence. Here, Brotha Lynch Hung underscores that in the world he’s describing, violence is the great equalizer. The gang-related slang and intense descriptions all work to create an atmosphere of chaos and survival, further echoed in ‘the blood gang deuce nine creep mobb zone.’
Brotha Lynch Hung also discusses his singular nature and internal struggles, especially in ‘I’m solo, might as well see me on a crucifix,’ highlighting a form of martyrdom or loneliness. Here, he equates his life to a kind of self-imposed crucifixion, perhaps symbolizing sacrifice or the constant bearing of his sins and choices. ‘The baby killin atheist’ not only reflects his nihilistic outlook but also cements the degree of separation he feels from any redemption or salvation.
The track culminates with Lynch comparing himself to infamous figures like Charles Manson and Antonio Montana (Scarface), connecting the dots between fame, notoriety, and violent excess. He portrays himself as someone feared and relentless, stating his insanity outright. The phrase ‘rip his arms off up the crucifix’ brings the narrative full circle back to the crucifixion theme, emphasizing the pain and moral decay that’s ever-present in his life, leaving listeners pondering the depths of darkness in his mind.
