Had 2 Gat Ya

[DISCLAIMER]

When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I teach people about the ABC model of self-disturbance (how people upset themselves through use of irrational beliefs). Now, I’ll address a finer point of this psychotherapeutic model of wellness.

For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate how when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence itself, that causes an unpleasant Consequence. That negative outcome is disturbance.

In particular, there are four predominate irrational beliefs which people often use to disturb themselves: global evaluations, low frustration tolerance, awfulizing, and demandingness. When contemplating these unproductive Beliefs, think of the acronym GLAD.

It’s worth noting that the two forms of should, must, and ought-type demands with which people most often self-disturb are associated with use of absolutistic and conditional should beliefs. Generally speaking, these serve as rigid commands used toward oneself, others, and life.

An absolute must narrative is, “You absolutely must do as I say!” A conditional should narrative is, “Either you should do as I say, or you should be punished!” Noteworthy, in REBT literature, demandingness of this sort is said to function as a primary appraisal mechanism of disturbance.

Global evaluations (i.e., self-downing, other-downing, and life-downing), low frustration tolerance (also known as frustration intolerance), and awfulizing (e.g., terrible, horrible, etc.) function as secondary appraisal mechanisms. Together, GLAD will make you sad or mad, etc.

Although still serving as a form of prescription rather than description, flexible use of recommendatory, preferential, ideal, empirical, moral and ethical, and legal ought beliefs doesn’t necessarily cause self-upset. Here, rigidity versus flexibility makes a difference.

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive philosophies of life in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Whereas rigid beliefs cause self-disturbance, flexible beliefs result in an un-disturbed condition.

Now, I offer a finer point of understanding in regard to the ABC model. There are a number of flexible and inflexible terms related to demandingness which serve as derivatives to “should,” “must,” and “ought” self-disturbing philosophies of life.

For instance, “In order to understand what I’m saying, you have to pay attention,” “You better not allow your mind to wander,” “You need to listen,” and, “If you want to stop self-disturbing, then you gotta practice REBT.” Perhaps a real-world example may enrich your comprehension.

Before going further, some context is necessary. Within my blog, I’ve made no secret of the fact that from fifth grade through my senior year of high school I befriended a number of Crips. As well, in high school, I was friends with some Sureños.

For the record, I am not now, have never been, nor do I foresee myself being a validated gang member, known associate, and/or direct affiliate of any criminal organization. Furthermore, I unequivocally denounce any allegation of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act-related activity. Moving on.

In high school, one of my favorite lyricists was Brotha Lynch Hung (“Lynch”). He pioneered his own style of rap, could spit bars which would rival some of the most notable emcees at the time, and I appreciated his gang references which resonated with my lived experience.

In 1993, Lynch dropped his debut studio EP entitled 24 Deep which contained the track “Had 2 Gat Ya”. A “gat” is slang for a firearm. Among the Crips and Sureños with whom I spent a significant amount of time, gats were easily accessible. Thus, Lynch’s song was played often.

Noteworthy, “Had 2 Gat Ya” samples funk band Zapp’s track “More Bounce to the Ounce” (1980), Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s song “Deep Cover” (1992), and Cypress Hill’s joint “How I Could Just Kill a Man” (1991). I’m fortunate to have seen some of these acts perform live.

In any event, the manner in which Lynch began his track remains as one of my favorite rap introductions. He stated, “I’mma let it be known!” Whereas other rappers or lyricists tended to subtly introduce content of their rhymes, Lynch got right to the point.

His pronouncement represents an assertive and unapologetic method of setting the record straight (providing the facts about something that people have a false understanding or idea about). Now, regarding REBT and demandingness, allow me to do the same. I’mma let it be known!

When referencing Lynch’s body of work within my blog, I sometimes spare the reader his gory method of articulating a point. However, in order to grasp the gravity of Lynch’s self-disturbing phraseology, I’ll now submit the first verse and chorus of “Had 2 Gat Ya” for your review:

[Verse one]

I’mma let it be known

That I’m with the fo’, so nigga you know it’s on

Oil my chrome, ‘cause I got murder in my blood and in my chromosome

For the fact that I take none, pack a gun in my dang-a-lang

That nigga, that nigga, that gang bang – no, never that nigga that claim

Yeah, I’m a nigga eating Jesus brains

I got the evil in my muthafuckin’ back and in my muthafuckin’ veins

Wearing my black to creep

Momma told a muthafucka he’d be dead in a week

So, nigga what, load me like a tre-five-sev

Pass the dank, takin’ dead bodies to the blood bank

And while I hook ‘em up proper

I got them swallowin’ my loaded heart-stopper

Pop, pop, the trigga fiend, the nigga’s spleen

Plus, the barrel on my muthafuckin’ nine, lookin’ plus

That niggam that nigga, that runs them mothafuckas back

I got you fiendin’ for a nigga like you fiend for crack

‘Cause it’s like that mo’ wicked, then a nigga might get mine packed

‘Cause in the fo’, you know never know, you better gat right back

So niggas know us brothas can’t go out like that

Sellin’ my momma the crack, watch yo back, cuz (You know, I had to gat ya)

[Chorus]:

Repeat 4X –

(Yeah, you know, I had to gat ya)

(187 on a) (nigga)

Perhaps now you understand why I don’t often elaborate on lyrical content when referencing Lynch within my blog. When reading Lynch’s lyrics, did you envision an individual who used thinking that was rational (in accordance with both logic and reason)?

For context, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. For instance, a modus ponens syllogism uses the following logical form: If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

As an example, using Lynch’s phraseology, if one has evil in his muthafuckin’ veins (p), then gattin’ (shooting) someone for any reason is an appropriate course of action (q). This is a logical assertion, because it predicts a specified and formulaic course of action.

Yet, do you consider this inflexible prescription to be reasonable? In other words, do you suppose that a jury of Lynch’s peers or a judge in a court of law would determine that gattin’ a person for any reason would be an appropriate course of action in any given scenario?

I argue in the negative. Therefore, Lynch’s rigid prescription is logical though unreasonable. Thus, it’s irrational. Now, specifically addressing the finer point of demandingness, when telling people that you “have to” or they “had to” do something, rigidity versus flexibility matters.

For instance, it’s irrational to rigidly state that because you’ve said something I consider offensive, I thereafter have to lie down with a rifle in the prone position and shoot you. No jury of my peers or judge in a court of law is likely to favorably view this violent course of action.

Alternatively, if I rationally state that people preferably had better to use thinking which is logical and reasonable when taking offense to statements from other people, then I suspect that jury members and a judge alike would concur. What do you think?

Of course, you don’t have to take my word at face value. Perchance you disturb yourself with irrational beliefs and shoot at me while declaring, “I had 2 gat ya!” Bear in mind that Lynch said “us brothas can’t go out like that!” Thus, I’d have to defend myself if you chose violence.

Fortunately, neither of us has to endure that experience at present. Presuming you understand the finer point of demandingness expressed herein, it’s my hope that you never will murder or be murdered due to irrational thinking. Still, as stated by Lynch, “Watch yo back, cuz!”

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

Anonymous. (2003, March 21). Dank. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dank

Brothalynchhung. (2022, May 26). Had 2 Gat Ya [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/0zli3k7ONSA?si=_2nNKI5QTkusph8w

BrownPrider Funk. (2010, February 12). Zapp & Roger - More Bounce to the Ounce [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/r_IPV2zeDIc?si=pDgRHsC36QKlC93k

David, D. (2014, January). The empirical status of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) theory & practice. Albert Ellis Institute. Retrieved from https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=26813393d7370232253cf964c38a4a03d98b0b97

DirtyD-Damnit. (2014, June 26). Spit bars. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=spit%20bars

Hollings, D. (2024, July 9). Absolutistic should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/absolutistic-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, November 15). Assumptions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/assumptions

Hollings, D. (2024, August 7). Awfulizing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/awfulizing

Hollings, D. (2024, July 9). Conditional should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/conditional-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, October 27). Correlation does not imply causation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/correlation-does-not-imply-causation

Hollings, D. (2022, October 31). Demandingness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/demandingness

Hollings, D. (2022, October 5). Description vs. prescription. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/description-vs-prescription

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2025, March 12). Distress vs. disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/distress-vs-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Empirical should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/empirical-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2025, September 7). Everybody’s gotta learn sometime. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/everybody-s-gotta-learn-sometime

Hollings, D. (2025, May 20). Evil. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/evil

Hollings, D. (2025, March 9). Factual and counterfactual beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/factual-and-counterfactual-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2025, March 5). Five major characteristics of four major irrational beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/five-major-characteristics-of-four-major-irrational-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (2023, September 13). Global evaluations. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/global-evaluations

Hollings, D. (2025, September 7). Have to. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/have-to

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Ideal should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ideal-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, April 27). Ideal-world vs. real-world. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ideal-world-vs-real-world

Hollings, D. (2025, March 4). Justification. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/justification

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Legal should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/legal-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2025, January 8). Life-downing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-downing

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Lived experience. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/lived-experience

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2022, December 2). Low frustration tolerance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/low-frustration-tolerance

Hollings, D. (2025, March 16). Modus ponens. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/modus-ponens

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Moral and ethical should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/moral-and-ethical-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, September 27). My attitude. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-attitude

Hollings, D. (2025, August 2). My philosophy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-philosophy

Hollings, D. (2025, September 8). Need to know. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/need-to-know

Hollings, D. (2025, January 7). Other-downing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/other-downing

Hollings, D. (2025, May 3). Predictability of logic. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/predictability-of-logic

Hollings, D. (2025, April 25). Preferences vs. expectations. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/preferences-vs-expectations

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Preferential should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/preferential-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation

Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2025, August 13). Rational versus irrational thoughts and beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-versus-irrational-thoughts-and-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, July 18). REBT flexibility. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rebt-flexibility

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Recommendatory should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/recommendatory-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, January 4). Rigid vs. rigorous. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rigid-vs-rigorous

Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2025, January 6). Self-downing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-downing

Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought

Hollings, D. (2025, June 11). Stop the violence. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/stop-the-violence

Hollings, D. (2024, February 6). This ride inevitably ends. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/this-ride-inevitably-ends

Hollings, D. (2023, February 16). Tna. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/__tna

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2025, January 9). Traditional ABC model. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/traditional-abc-model

Hollings, D. (2024, September 29). Well, well, well. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/well-well-well

Hollings, D. (2025, April 12). What’s the big idea? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/what-s-the-big-idea

Hollings, D. (2025, September 7). You better! Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-better

Johnniewalker23. (2009, October 17). Cypress Hill - How I Could Just Kill A Man [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/a8O_nX1VrSg?si=fzpfGb5tPbBUg8Sv

K Dum. (2016, June 3). Hook you up. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hook%20you%20up

Loc- O. (2004, June 21). Cuz. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cuz

MC Boonge. (2003, August 13). Chrome. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=chrome

Sexygayboy. (2010, August 30). Dang a lang. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dang%20a%20lang

Sharona Biggs. (2009, April 5). Creeping on. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=creeping&page=3

SmiwyROD. (2010, May 26). 187. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=187

TheSuspectManuel. (2008, February 5). Deep Cover - Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/81535ZYAFFc?si=mO9a5mSbRii4s7Ny

Wikipedia. (n.d.). 24 Deep. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Deep

Wikipedia. (n.d.). .357 Magnum. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.357_Magnum

Wikipedia. (n.d.). 9 mm caliber. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9_mm_caliber

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Brotha Lynch Hung. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brotha_Lynch_Hung

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Crack cocaine. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crack_cocaine

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Crips. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crips

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Cypress Hill. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypress_Hill

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Dr. Dre. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Dre

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Snoop Dogg. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Sureños. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sure%C3%B1os

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Zapp. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapp

YoungCali. (2003, August 27). Claiming. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=claiming