Outlawz, also known as Outlaw Immortalz, is an American hip hop group founded by Tupac Shakur and Yaki Kadafi in late 1995 after Shakur's release from prison. Collectively, they are probably best known for appearing in the video for, and rapping on "Hit 'Em Up".
Outlawz is a backronym for Operating Under Thug Laws As Warriorz. In the earlier years of the Outlawz they were known as Dramacydal. Dramacydal first appeared on Tupac Shakur's 1995 album Me Against the World, they were on the title track "Me Against the World" and "Outlaw". Dramacydal was composed of K-Dog who later became Kastro, Young Hollywood who later became Yaki Kadafi, Mu who later became Napoleon, and Big Malcolm who later became E.D.I. Mean.
When 2Pac signed to Death Row upon his release from prison, he recruited his step brother Mopreme Shakur and Big Syke from Thug Life. Hussein Fatal, Napoleon, E.D.I. Mean, Kastro, Yaki Kadafi, and Storm (the only female Outlaw) were also added, and together they formed the original lineup of the Outlaw Immortalz that debuted on 2Pac's multi-platinum smash All Eyez on Me". Young Noble was later added and appeared on 2Pac's second Deathrow release Makaveli, the 7 Day Theory. The idea behind the group was for each member to have a rap name coinciding with the names of various tyrants or enemies of America, past and present.