Every Song Has A Story: ‘Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)’ By Blu Cantrell

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Dallas Austin

Source: Thaddaeus McAdams / Getty

Written and produced by Dallas Austin

Producer extraordinaire Dallas Austin, is known for writing hits for women. His catalog includes songs like TLC’s “Creep,” Monica’s “Just One Of Dem Days” and of course Cantrell’s “Hit ‘em Up Style.” Austin was the one who wrote and produced the entire thing. Starting with the production.

In a 2019 interview with Billboard, Austin said about the creation of the song:

“I needed actually to make another soul record, and I just couldn’t figure it out. And I was just sitting there watching Merrie Melodies, this little cartoon, and it was like… [makes the opening credit sound] and I said, “Wow that would be cool if I can make a song kind of like that sound, just updated.” So I went and wrote “Hit ‘Em Up Style” and I didn’t think anybody was going to like it. But when I played it for Blu Cantrell she said, “This is the most creative song I’ve heard in a long time.” And I said, “I’ll take that.”

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