This song, and others on The Payback, were originally written and recorded as Original Soundtrack (OST) material for Hell Up in Harlem (1974), the sequel to Black Caesar (1973), a blacksploitation crime drama. Unfortunately, the music was turned down by related movie producers, who gave the job to Edwin Starr instead. Rather than scrapping the music, James Brown released it his latest album.

Sung lyrics were based on said movie’s script: Harlem gangster Tommy Gibbs (played by Fred Williamson) is angry about his situation and thus seeks revenge against his enemies.