Boogie stood there feeling like an undefeated boxing champion that he dreamt about in his dreams from the future. Floyd Mayweather Jr. The streets were his domain and, like any great leader should, he was ready to give back to his community. He randomly grabbed someone’s mother and stood on her head to deliver his next speech.

Ahem.

Today we’ll be talking about possibly the second most important job in a crew. That’s right. The thing everyone wants to be until it’s time to put in the work. The hitter. What makes this occupation so important? Let’s break it down.

The hitter is by far the coolest job in the books. When you think of the hitter, you think of some bad ass with tattoos that can go into a city and solo an entire empire. No? Is that only me? Anywho...this position should only be handed to the most trusted, dedicated, and loyal workers.

Loyalty is of utmost importance. Many people who call themselves a hitter fail to realize the most important thing that comes with this craft. The moment you pick up that revolver, you need to glue it on your brain that you’re not doing this for yourself. You’re picking up this craft to protect the empire that your leader is building. You’re picking up this craft to expand the empire that your leading is building. You’re picking up this craft to either shoot the first bullet for your leader, or if your leader is a moron, to take that first bullet for your leader. This job has to be one of the most selfless positions you’ll ever find yourself in. However, fear not! Because perhaps it’s also one of the most rewarding! Not only will you receive a list of drooling baboons to build your notches, but you will also be blessed with a large sum of money from your leader to protect yourself with bodyguards! Yes! But to even make matters even better? Should you die in battle and your organization win? Without a doubt your kin will be rewarded handsomely. By no means do you need to be a hitter to survive. No. I’m not sure about other cities but LA rewards loyalty regardless. However, Hitters are rewarded first as they are almost as important as the upper structure. Work hard play hard...which then leads us to our next segment.

No one wakes up a certified asshole who can shoot a thousand bullets. You need to work your way up the totem pole. In a world where everyone wants to build the biggest, longest, strongest e-penis, it takes a real asshole to build notches. You see it’s not the hare that won the race, but it was the tortoise who won the marathon. Some shit like that. IT TAKES PATIENCE! I’m not going to blatantly sit here and give away the tricks of the trade, however, it takes a certain kind of man to want to wake up every hour on the hour just for his newly cooled down gun to get fired up again. There is no set time period, nor is there a specific bar you need to reach at a given time to be considered a “hitter”. There was a time where hitters needed to take measures to build incognito, but thanks to city hall those times are long gone. Some of our most established hitters in history used patience and poise to build. I’m not saying slack off and do it when you want, what I’m saying is this is a very tiring craft. However, good things come to those who do wait.

Perhaps the most underrated aspect to being a hitter is the use of strategy. Many people think you can shoot a thousand bullets into a city and claim victory of a war. No. Those days have long gone. Yes a big gun does help but keep in mind a small gun possibly helps the most when they pro your leaders and big guns. Prolific shooting wins SOMETIMES, but prolific strategy wins EVERYTIME. As a hitter you need to be able to think with mind over matter. You need to be able to think on your twinkle toes. You need to be able to tell the difference in speech, behavior, the distant love that’s different from the open love of last week. You need to know who to shoot first, and who to shoot second. You need to be a snake in the dark but a Prince Charming in the light. Disregard that last line I’m talking bullshit.

What does it mean to be a hitter? It means that you put your personal achievements to the back of your mind and put your family first. You live solely for the family. You are the enforcer of your family, and in some cases, you are the bulletproof vest for your family. You are the grim reaper for your city. You are a loyal and VERY trusted member of your organization. Not only do you hold some of the darkest secrets, but you also sit in the presence of some that people can only wish to smell.

So ask yourself. Are you a hitter? Or are you just another fool with a gun?