Released: 2020
In “Slap Da Shit Outcha,” Redman drops a comedic yet hard-hitting commentary on people who look to exploit others’ success. The theme revolves around people pestering him for money, favors, or material goods simply because he’s achieved a certain level of fame and prosperity. He sends a clear message about setting boundaries and not tolerating users.The song hits the ground with its chorus, which straightforwardly lays out Redman’s zero-tolerance policy for leeches. He accentuates his refusal to be taken advantage of by asserting that he’ll “smack da shit outcha” if you overstep—metaphorically speaking, of course. This is him saying he’ll swiftly shut down anybody trying to cross him. When he mentions being “out of lime” after suggesting he wouldn’t mind making someone disappear, he’s poking fun at mob movies where lime is used to decompose bodies. The “Backwoods on your EBT card” line criticizes those who would rather mooch off others than put in their own work—a recurring theme in the song.
Moving to the verses, Redman initially takes aim at the inflated egos that come with new money. He mocks those who flash their wealth but can barely afford their lifestyle, critiquing how some people boast about their newfound status but are actually struggling. The line “picking dollars off the floor after you made it rain” is a vivid portrait of faux affluence, portraying how some frivolously throw money around only to scramble for it later. Similarly, he calls out women who subtly hint for money when rent’s due, suggesting they should be more self-reliant rather than expecting him to bail them out.
Redman then extends his disdain for pretenders, claiming he doesn’t need any validation from the likes of Instagram (“IG”) to prove his authenticity. He ridicules posers living beyond their means and even throws in a humorous line about losing his cool over domestic annoyances like his kids messing with the TV remote. The verse ends with a broader societal jab about mind-your-own-business, underscoring his annoyance with gossip and invasion of privacy.
The outro of the song serves as a reiteration and conclusion of Redman’s central thesis—establishing boundaries and maintaining self-respect in the face of users and hangers-on. The recurring lines “That’s when I smack da shit outcha” serve as a catchy and forceful mantra advocating for personal agency amidst the opportunistic chaos of fame.
Redman’s “Slap Da Shit Outcha” isn’t about violence; it’s a metaphorical expression of personal agency, a call to resist exploitation of one’s success, and a declaration of authenticity in a world full of pretense. The Funk Doctor Spock delivers it with his trademark Newark grit, a touch of humor, and that unmistakable Brick City bravado.
