Dr. Dre is widely celebrated as one of the most influential producers in hip-hop history, having launched the careers of numerous artists, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar. However, among the many protégés who passed through his label, Aftermath Records, one name stands out for its tragic tale: Hitman. While he contributed significantly to Dr. Dre’s acclaimed 1999 album “2001,” Hitman’s journey is marked by missed opportunities and personal tragedies that hindered his ascent to stardom.
Born in the Bronx, New York, Hitman, whose real name is Brian Bailey, moved to the West Coast as a child. He developed a passion for hip-hop while listening to KDAY, a radio station in California. Adopting the stage name Hitman, which acronymically stands for “Highly Intensive Tongue Talents Making All Nervous,” he eventually caught the attention of Dr. Dre after auditioning for him. Hitman impressed Dre during a studio session, leading to his signing with Aftermath Records.
Hitman’s contributions to “2001” were substantial; he provided hooks and rhymes for several tracks, including the fan-favorite “Explosive.” Dr. Dre himself praised Hitman’s talent, referring to him as the next big star in the making. Yet, despite the promising start, Hitman’s career trajectory took a sharp downturn. In a 2006 interview, he revealed that he left Aftermath due to creative differences with Dre, stating, “It just didn’t seem it was working.” Hitman’s exit coincided with several personal tragedies, including the deaths of his stepbrother and grandmother, events that deeply affected his creative output.
Unlike other artists on the label, such as The Game, who managed to release successful projects, Hitman found himself in limbo. He never released an album during his time with Aftermath, despite working on multiple projects. His anticipated debut, initially titled “Big Hit,” later changed to “Hits Big Score,” ultimately remained unreleased. Hitman expressed feeling betrayed after investing so much effort into “2001” but receiving little support for his own project.
After leaving Aftermath, Hitman struggled with the impact of a restrictive contract and the challenges of navigating the music industry. He eventually released “Hitmanic Verses” in 2005, a project that included tracks he had previously recorded. However, the material was often in demo form, and the album failed to garner the attention he had hoped for. His subsequent projects also fell short of the mark, leading him to step away from the industry for a time.
In recent years, Hitman’s story has been overshadowed by his early promise and subsequent challenges. He has largely stayed out of the public eye, working various jobs to support his family. A notable observation was made by jeweler Ben Baller, who highlighted that Hitman’s publishing deal was one of the worst in music history, contributing to his financial struggles.
Despite the setbacks, there appears to be a reconciliation of sorts between Hitman and Dr. Dre. They reportedly collaborated again around 2014 on music for Dre’s long-anticipated album, “Detox,” although that project ultimately never materialized. Hitman did not receive credit on Dre’s later project, “Compton,” leaving fans to wonder what could have been had his career taken a different path.
Hitman’s story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the music industry, where talent alone does not guarantee success. His journey reflects the complexities of personal hardships and the challenges faced by artists in the shadow of their mentors. As a highly skilled lyricist, Hitman’s contributions to the hip-hop landscape remain significant, even if his own narrative is tinged with tragedy.
