Naughty by Nature
Encyclopedia
Naughty by Nature are a Grammy Award
-winning American
hip hop
trio
from East Orange, New Jersey
that at the time of its formation in 1989 consisted of Treach
, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee. They are known for being one of the few rap acts who were able to balance success on the pop charts with hardcore rap credibility.
(colloquially referred to as "Illtown" in the 1980s) in 1988. They first appeared on the music scene in 1989, releasing an album called Independent Leaders under their then name the New Style. The album generated the minor hit "Scuffin' Those Knees". After the release of their first album, the group was mentored by fellow New Jersey native Queen Latifah
, and subsequently changed its name.
," which sampled the Jackson 5's hit "ABC
" and was released in 1991 on their self-titled album Naughty by Nature
. The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100
, making it one of the most successful crossover songs in rap history. The song has become well known in pop culture, being mentioned in TV shows and films such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
, Malibu's Most Wanted
, Monk
, and The Office
. "O.P.P." also gained critical acclaim, being named one of the top 100 rap singles of all time in 1998 by The Source
magazine, and being ranked the 20th best single of the '90s by Spin
magazine
The album also generated another hit, a reworking of Bob Marley's
"No Woman No Cry" called "Everything's Gonna be All Right" (the track was also called "Ghetto Bastard" on some explicit releases). That song detailed the experiences of Treach
growing up in poverty, and now rising up to live a better life. Powered by the success of that song and "O.P.P.", their self titled album went platinum
.
Fellow New Jersey native Tony D
, accused Naughty by Nature of stealing a sample from his breakbeat album Music Makes You Move and using it on their track "O.P.P." The matter was settled out of court. Between albums, the group also scored a major hit with the track "Uptown Anthem
", from the soundtrack to the 1992 film Juice
. Treach also got a cameo acting role in the film, his first acting role. Fellow rapper 2Pac also acted in the movie, and Treach would befriend him. This led to a long acting career for Treach and a long friendship with 2Pac. When 2Pac died in 1996 Treach made a tribute song to him, called "Mourn You Till I Join You."
Later, the group had multiple hits from its third and fourth albums, called 19 Naughty III
and Poverty's Paradise
respectively. Both albums reached the #1 spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts. "Hip Hop Hooray
" was a success from the album 19 Naughty III
. Its video was directed by Spike Lee
and featured other hip-hop artists popular in the early 1990s, including Queen Latifah
, Eazy-E
, Run-D.M.C.
, and Da Youngstas. Poverty's Paradise
won the Grammy Award in 1996 for Best Rap Album, becoming the first album to win this award. It also spawned a hit song in "Feel Me Flow
" which peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
In the mid 1990s Naughty by Nature started their own music imprint, Illtown Records, and in 1995 released an album from their proteges the Rottin Razkals
. The group (mainly Kay Gee) worked closely with a number of R&B groups over the next few years particularly Zhane
and Next
. Kay Gee produced Next's "Too Close
", which became a #1 hit in 1998.
In 1999 the group released its fifth album, titled Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature's Fury. The album was fairly successful, being certified Gold by the RIAA, and spawned the hit "Jamboree" that peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
, using a variety of different producers including Da Beatminerz
; the album, however, received a lukewarm reception from the public. IIcons
is their last album to date.
In May 2006, Kay Gee reunited with Treach and rejoined Naughty by Nature at a concert at B.B. King's nightclub. They are currently working together on their next album, which will be titled Anthem Inc. In April 2010 they released the song "Get to Know Me Better", featuring rapper Pitbull
, as the first single from their upcoming album. The B-side of the single was called "I Gotta Lotta". Later in 2010 they released the group's first mixtape, Naughty by Nature: Tha Mixtape
. The group's new studio album is set for release in late 2011.
On June 11, 2011, Naughty By Nature became the first hip-hop group to perform at the esteemed baseball ground Fenway Park. They performed Hip Hop Hooray as part of the mega boyband NKOTBSB's concert.
American Music Awards
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
trio
Trio (music)
Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
from East Orange, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
that at the time of its formation in 1989 consisted of Treach
Treach
Anthony Criss , better known by his stage name Treach, is an American rapper and actor. He is best known as the lead rapper of the hip hop group Naughty by Nature.-Career:...
, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee. They are known for being one of the few rap acts who were able to balance success on the pop charts with hardcore rap credibility.
1980s
The group formed in East Orange, New JerseyEast Orange, New Jersey
East Orange is a city in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the city's population 64,270, making it the state's 20th largest municipality, having dropped 5,554 residents from its population of 69,824 in the 2000 Census, when it was the state's 14th most...
(colloquially referred to as "Illtown" in the 1980s) in 1988. They first appeared on the music scene in 1989, releasing an album called Independent Leaders under their then name the New Style. The album generated the minor hit "Scuffin' Those Knees". After the release of their first album, the group was mentored by fellow New Jersey native Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
, and subsequently changed its name.
1990s
Their first hit as Naughty by Nature was a track called "O.P.P.O.P.P. (song)
"O.P.P." is a 1991 song recorded by rap group Naughty by Nature. The song made it to the U.S. Top Ten , propelling their self titled album Naughty by Nature to platinum status. The song's declaration "Down Wit' OPP" was a popular catchphrase in the U.S. in the early-'90s...
," which sampled the Jackson 5's hit "ABC
ABC (song)
"ABC" is a 1970 number-one hit song by The Jackson 5. "ABC" was written with the same design as "I Want You Back", and was first heard on American Bandstand in February 1970. "ABC" knocked The Beatles song "Let It Be" out of the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970...
" and was released in 1991 on their self-titled album Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature (album)
Naughty by Nature is the self-titled second album from Naughty by Nature, released on September 3, 1991 through Tommy Boy Records. It was a critical and commercial success, having been certified platinum on February 6, 1992, thanks in large part to the hit single, "O.P.P.", which reached #6 on the...
. The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, making it one of the most successful crossover songs in rap history. The song has become well known in pop culture, being mentioned in TV shows and films such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his aunt and uncle in their...
, Malibu's Most Wanted
Malibu's Most Wanted
Malibu's Most Wanted is a 2003 comedic feature film written by and starring Jamie Kennedy and co-starring Taye Diggs, Anthony Anderson, and Regina Hall....
, Monk
Monk (TV series)
Monk is an American comedy-drama detective mystery television series created by Andy Breckman and starring Tony Shalhoub as the titular character, Adrian Monk. It originally ran from 2002 to 2009 and is primarily a mystery series, although it has dark and comic touches.The series debuted on July...
, and The Office
The Office
The Office is a popular mockumentary/situation comedy TV show that was first made in the UK and has now been re-made in many other countries, with overall viewership in the hundreds of millions worldwide. The original version of The Office was created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It...
. "O.P.P." also gained critical acclaim, being named one of the top 100 rap singles of all time in 1998 by The Source
The Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
magazine, and being ranked the 20th best single of the '90s by Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
magazine
The album also generated another hit, a reworking of Bob Marley's
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
"No Woman No Cry" called "Everything's Gonna be All Right" (the track was also called "Ghetto Bastard" on some explicit releases). That song detailed the experiences of Treach
Treach
Anthony Criss , better known by his stage name Treach, is an American rapper and actor. He is best known as the lead rapper of the hip hop group Naughty by Nature.-Career:...
growing up in poverty, and now rising up to live a better life. Powered by the success of that song and "O.P.P.", their self titled album went platinum
Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina del Pinto, which is literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto River." It is a dense, malleable, ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal...
.
Fellow New Jersey native Tony D
Tony D
Tony D, born Anthony Depula , was a hip hop legend from Trenton, New Jersey. Although he was a hip hop artist & DJ, he was most famous for being an influential producer in hip hop music. He was the producer behind Poor Righteous Teachers and YZ...
, accused Naughty by Nature of stealing a sample from his breakbeat album Music Makes You Move and using it on their track "O.P.P." The matter was settled out of court. Between albums, the group also scored a major hit with the track "Uptown Anthem
Uptown Anthem
"Uptown Anthem" is a 1992 song by hip-hop group Naughty by Nature. It was made for the soundtrack for the movie Juice. NBN rapper Treach also had a cameo acting role in the movie. Rapper 2Pac is featured in the video. As well as NBN the soundtrack included songs from numerous other well known...
", from the soundtrack to the 1992 film Juice
Juice (film)
Juice is a 1992 American crime drama film that stars rapper Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps. Additional cast members include Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins, Khalil Kain, Samuel L. Jackson, and features cameo appearances by Queen Latifah, EPMD, Special Ed, Ed Lover, Doctor Dré, Flex Alexander, Fab Five...
. Treach also got a cameo acting role in the film, his first acting role. Fellow rapper 2Pac also acted in the movie, and Treach would befriend him. This led to a long acting career for Treach and a long friendship with 2Pac. When 2Pac died in 1996 Treach made a tribute song to him, called "Mourn You Till I Join You."
Later, the group had multiple hits from its third and fourth albums, called 19 Naughty III
19 Naughty III
19 Naughty III is the third album from Naughty by Nature, released on February 23, 1993 through Tommy Boy Records. Three single were released from the album, the group's second top 10 hit, "Hip Hop Hooray", as well as the minor hits "It's On" and "Written on Ya Kitten".- Reception :The album did...
and Poverty's Paradise
Poverty's Paradise
Poverty's Paradise is the fourth album from Naughty by Nature, released on May 2, 1995 as their final album under Tommy Boy Records. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
respectively. Both albums reached the #1 spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts. "Hip Hop Hooray
Hip Hop Hooray
"Hip Hop Hooray" is a hip hop single released by hip hop group, Naughty By Nature, in 1993. The song spent one week at number one on the US R&B chart, and reached number eight on the US Pop chart...
" was a success from the album 19 Naughty III
19 Naughty III
19 Naughty III is the third album from Naughty by Nature, released on February 23, 1993 through Tommy Boy Records. Three single were released from the album, the group's second top 10 hit, "Hip Hop Hooray", as well as the minor hits "It's On" and "Written on Ya Kitten".- Reception :The album did...
. Its video was directed by Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
and featured other hip-hop artists popular in the early 1990s, including Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
, Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
, Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
Run–D.M.C. was an American hip hop group from Hollis, in the Queens borough of New York City. Founded by Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell, the group is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture.Run–D.M.C...
, and Da Youngstas. Poverty's Paradise
Poverty's Paradise
Poverty's Paradise is the fourth album from Naughty by Nature, released on May 2, 1995 as their final album under Tommy Boy Records. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
won the Grammy Award in 1996 for Best Rap Album, becoming the first album to win this award. It also spawned a hit song in "Feel Me Flow
Feel Me Flow
"Feel Me Flow" is a 1995 single by hip-hop group Naughty by Nature from their fourth album Poverty's Paradise. The song was the most successful single from the album, peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #3 on Hot Rap Singles. The sole rapper on the song is Treach...
" which peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
In the mid 1990s Naughty by Nature started their own music imprint, Illtown Records, and in 1995 released an album from their proteges the Rottin Razkals
Rottin Razkals
The Rottin Razkals were an American hip hop group signed to Motown Records's sub-label, Mad Sounds Recordings. Composed of three members, Chap, Fam, and Diesel, the group was closely associated with Naughty by Nature, first appearing on their 1993 album, 19 Naughty III on the song "Knock Em Out Da...
. The group (mainly Kay Gee) worked closely with a number of R&B groups over the next few years particularly Zhane
Zhane
Zhané was an American R&B/hip hop soul duo, best known for their 1994 hit "Hey Mr. D.J.", which reached #6 in the U.S. Other popular hits include "Groove Thang" and minor hit "Sending My Love," both released in 1994...
and Next
Next (band)
Next is an American R&B musical group, popular during the late 1990s. They are best known for their hit singles "Too Close" and "Wifey".-History:...
. Kay Gee produced Next's "Too Close
Too Close
"Too Close" is a 1998 song by R&B group Next, and featuring uncredited vocals from Vee of Koffee Brown. It was the second single released from their debut album Rated Next. The song reached number one on the U.S. Hot 100 and R&B charts and has gone Platinum making it their biggest and best known...
", which became a #1 hit in 1998.
In 1999 the group released its fifth album, titled Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature's Fury. The album was fairly successful, being certified Gold by the RIAA, and spawned the hit "Jamboree" that peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
2000s/2010s
After the release of Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature's Fury, a dispute regarding finances developed between Kay Gee and Treach, with Treach blaming Kay Gee for squandering the group's finances. Due to these disagreements DJ Kay Gee decided to leave Naughty by Nature in late 2000. He started to develop his own record label Divine Mill. The remainder of the group, Treach and Vin Rock, released an album in 2002 called IIconsIIcons
IIcons is the sixth album from Naughty by Nature, released on March 5, 2002 on TVT Records. The album was a success, peaking at 15 on the Billboard 200 and 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spawned the single, "Feels Good " which made it to 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 and featured 3LW.-Track...
, using a variety of different producers including Da Beatminerz
Da Beatminerz
Da Beatminerz are a hip-hop production crew from Bushwick, Brooklyn, and are known for their dark, gritty sound that is very popular with the underground hip-hop scene.-History:The crew, originally composed of brothers Mr...
; the album, however, received a lukewarm reception from the public. IIcons
IIcons
IIcons is the sixth album from Naughty by Nature, released on March 5, 2002 on TVT Records. The album was a success, peaking at 15 on the Billboard 200 and 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spawned the single, "Feels Good " which made it to 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 and featured 3LW.-Track...
is their last album to date.
In May 2006, Kay Gee reunited with Treach and rejoined Naughty by Nature at a concert at B.B. King's nightclub. They are currently working together on their next album, which will be titled Anthem Inc. In April 2010 they released the song "Get to Know Me Better", featuring rapper Pitbull
Pitbull (rapper)
Armando Christian Pérez , better known by his stage name Pitbull, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. His first recorded performance was from the Lil Jon album Kings of Crunk in 2002, after which he released his debut album in 2004 titled M.I.A.M.I. under TVT Records...
, as the first single from their upcoming album. The B-side of the single was called "I Gotta Lotta". Later in 2010 they released the group's first mixtape, Naughty by Nature: Tha Mixtape
Naughty by Nature: Tha Mixtape
Tha Mixtape is the first mixtape by Naughty by Nature featuring Garden State Greats. The mixtape featured the single "Gotta Lotta" and is meant as a preview to their upcoming studio album Anthem Inc..-Track listing:# "Church" - 0:53...
. The group's new studio album is set for release in late 2011.
On June 11, 2011, Naughty By Nature became the first hip-hop group to perform at the esteemed baseball ground Fenway Park. They performed Hip Hop Hooray as part of the mega boyband NKOTBSB's concert.
Discography
- Independent Leaders (as The New Style) (1989)
- Naughty by NatureNaughty by Nature (album)Naughty by Nature is the self-titled second album from Naughty by Nature, released on September 3, 1991 through Tommy Boy Records. It was a critical and commercial success, having been certified platinum on February 6, 1992, thanks in large part to the hit single, "O.P.P.", which reached #6 on the...
(1991) - 19 Naughty III19 Naughty III19 Naughty III is the third album from Naughty by Nature, released on February 23, 1993 through Tommy Boy Records. Three single were released from the album, the group's second top 10 hit, "Hip Hop Hooray", as well as the minor hits "It's On" and "Written on Ya Kitten".- Reception :The album did...
(1993) - Poverty's ParadisePoverty's ParadisePoverty's Paradise is the fourth album from Naughty by Nature, released on May 2, 1995 as their final album under Tommy Boy Records. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
(1995) - Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature's Fury (1999)
- IIconsIIconsIIcons is the sixth album from Naughty by Nature, released on March 5, 2002 on TVT Records. The album was a success, peaking at 15 on the Billboard 200 and 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spawned the single, "Feels Good " which made it to 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 and featured 3LW.-Track...
(2002) - Anthem Inc.Anthem Inc.Anthem Inc. is the seventh album from Naughty by Nature. The album marks a 20 year anniversary for the hip-hop trio. This is the first Naughty by Nature release featuring all three members - Treach, Vin Rock and Kay Gee - since 1999's Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature's Fury.-Track listing:#Anthem Inc....
(2011)
Awards and Nominations
Grammy Awards| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Grammy Awards of 1992 The 34th Grammy Awards were held on February 26, 1992. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year . Natalie Cole was the big winner winning three awards including Album of the Year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year... |
"O.P.P." | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | |
| 1994 Grammy Awards of 1994 The 36th Grammy Awards were held in 1994. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Whitney Houston is the Big Winner winning 3 awards including Record of the Year and Album of the Year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year... |
"Hip Hop Hooray" | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | |
| 1996 Grammy Awards of 1996 The 38th Grammy Awards were held on February 28, 1996. The awards recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Alanis Morissette was the night's big winner, scoring four trophies, including Album of the Year.-Award winners:... |
Poverty's Paradise Poverty's Paradise Poverty's Paradise is the fourth album from Naughty by Nature, released on May 2, 1995 as their final album under Tommy Boy Records. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums... |
Best Rap Album | |
| 1996 Grammy Awards of 1996 The 38th Grammy Awards were held on February 28, 1996. The awards recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Alanis Morissette was the night's big winner, scoring four trophies, including Album of the Year.-Award winners:... |
"Feel Me Flow" | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group |
American Music Awards
| Year | Artist | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Naughty By Nature | Favorite New Artist - Rap / Hip-Hop | |
| 1994 | Naughty By Nature | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist | |
| 1996 | Naughty By Nature | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist | |
External links
- Official site
- Naughty by Nature discography at Music City
- [ Naughty by Nature] at Allmusic
- Naughty By Nature at Twitter.com