The group formed in East Orange, New Jersey, and first appeared on the music scene in the late 1980's releasing an album titled The 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 subsequently mentored by fellow New Jersey native Queen Latifah and consequently changed their name.
Their first hit as Naughty By Nature was a track titled "O.P.P." ("Other People's Parts"), which sampled the The Jackson 5's hit "ABC" and was released in 1991 on their self-titled debut album. The album also generated another hit titled "Ghetto Bastard" (the track is often referred to as "Everything's Gonna Be Alright"). 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. Later they had multiple hits from their third and fourth albums, titled 19 Naughty III and Poverty's Paradise respectively.
"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 1990's, including Queen Latifah, Eazy-E, and Kris Kross.
The group also scored a major hit with the track "Uptown Anthem", from the soundtrack to the 2Pac movie Juice.
In later years, Naughty by Nature started their own music imprint, Illtown Records, and released an album from their proteges the Rottin Razkals. The group (mainly Kaygee) worked closely with a number of rnb groups over the years particularly Zhané and Next.
An ongoing dispute between Kaygee and Treach saw Kaygee leave Naughty by Nature in late 2000 to concentrate on his Divine Mill label. The remainder of the group released an album in 2002 titled IIcons, using a variety of different producers including Da Beatminerz - the album however received a lukewarm reception from the public. Treach is rumoured to be releasing a solo album soon. Kaygee has been extremely successful building his Divine Mill imprint with 2 platinum plus albums on both (Divine Mill acts) Jaheim and Next as well as songs on albums from Syleena Johnson and Charlie Wilson among others. In May 2006 Kay Gee reunited with Treach and Naughty by Nature at a concert at B.B. King's nightclub. They will be working together on their next album.
123
Naughty By Nature Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
1 motherfucking 2 motherfucking 3
1 and here comes the 2 to the 3, and
[Lakim Shabazz]
? rappers are full of this, since I'm a Don I'm pulling out a hit
'cause I'm fired up, I'm tired of all the bullshit
Flavor Unit, it's time to attack the prey
Bring on the refills, you see we feel
The name of the brain game is kill or be killed
I'm an expert, who will be the next jerk to try?
Let me explain you got 8 million ways to die
We torch and scorch ya, make ya feel real sore
Have that ass looking just like this boo-boo slipped the door
Known to kill, dunk skills, e-rupt
You ask why? My reply is 'I don't give a fuck!'
I'm a Panther, I love fresh meat
After I kill ya, I'ma leave ya body across 110th Street
My tactics are drastic and real fast
I tie one to a truck and go drag ya ass
I'm more than a threat, I'm a problem
To hell with cotton, watch out when I come to Harlem
So don't whisper or make a sound or croak
Shit ya prop, go straight back down ya throat
Everyday all day this be the hard way
Putting rappers outta commission even on an off-day
Flavor Unit rules G, we're taking rappers out
1 motherfucking 2 motherfucking 3
[Chorus: x3]
[Apache]
Here comes trouble and it's all that, in fact contact
You're next of kin, friend, follow the flow format
While you slip, I grips so expect to get bruised
Ask me if I give a fuck 'cause I ain't got shit to lose
Fuck around, lay around and get stuck up
You beatnit, wait a minute, hold the fuck up
If I was deaf, dumb, blind, stupid, blame
Handicapped, crippled and "pussy" was my middle name
You couldn't beat me slick, snap that neck like a Chico stick
I know who beat'cha quick (who?), my grip
Failing this to some type of tournament
I cut ya fucking head off and use it as a Christmas tree ornament
Come and give me a test whoever claims to be the best
He's with the 40-below footprint on his chest
Fucked up, got stuck, go press your luck
Both of his legs were found in back of a garbage truck
Head found in the bar of a limousine
The rest of his body at a dove site in Queens
Damn man, Mr. Handman, you like bragging
Ya fucked up, made a wrong turn and entered the dragon
I told you I'm out to stalk,
Last nigga tried me, died G, felt my tomahawk
Apache, that's me, I'm getting rappers' ass
1 motherfucking 2 motherfucking 3
[Chorus: x4]
[Treach]
You could of been my main shit but you scrap and will wack, black
The only thing I smoke with a pipe is an ass crack
You challenge Treach, I'll seal you quick, you can't touch that
I thought you did a triple 'cause you said "Aw, fuck that!"
Diamond Hill how ya feel, hey Ben Hef
Give me a hearing aid or two then I'm through 'cause I'm that def
That's how we all be, tighter than small leaves
Club rapping all be, I'm wrecking on all 3
This drill means chill, Guard Ya Grill, trouble
Is that your head or is your neck blowing a fucking bubble?
A-B-C, skip to the S-T
You-V-W-X, fuck the why-Z
Brand new, Brand Nubian, Grand Puba-in
Tape them and cruise me then, if I'm wrong, sue me then
Wait let me hear another tune, tune me in
So I'm straight, if I hear "drop the bomb" I have to go
Break this nig' for anytime or any day, as many rhymes are played
Erase, forgive me not 'cause shit I'm hot, if I can get then you'll get got
Au contraire mon frere this is all my hair
I wouldn't cut it for the biggest butt-ocks out there
Put on a tip or hitting hips, I'm more than quick
I Grease my Lightnin', it's frightening how I get, a slick
Schooled, dark, cool Sagittarian
Two types of marrying very thick or very thin
Naughty By Nature and the Flavor you-N-I-T
1 motherfucking 2 motherfucking 3
[Chorus: x4]
The Naughty By Nature song "123" features intense and aggressive lyrics from all three members (Treach, Vin Rock and DJ Kay Gee), as well as guest appearances from Lakim Shabazz and Apache. The opening line of the chorus immediately sets the tone of the song: "1 motherfucking 2 motherfucking 3," repeated six times throughout the track. The song is essentially a bragging and boasting anthem, with each artist showcasing their lyrical prowess and challenging anyone who dares to step up to them.
Lakim Shabazz starts off the song by calling out other rappers for being full of nonsense, and proclaiming his own expertise in the game. He uses violent and graphic metaphors to describe his skills, saying he'll "torch and scorch ya, make ya feel real sore" and "have that ass looking just like this boo-boo slipped the door." He also references his affiliation with the Flavor Unit, a collective of artists that included Queen Latifah and Naughty By Nature.
Apache's verse is similarly aggressive, with him warning his enemies to "expect to get bruised" and threatening to use their heads as Christmas tree ornaments. He even references the Bruce Lee film "Enter the Dragon," saying that anyone who messes with him "made a wrong turn and entered the dragon." Finally, Treach caps off the song with his own taunts and boasts, rapping about his ability to "seal you quick" and his love for "hitting hips."
Overall, "123" is a confrontational and intense track that showcases the aggressive and competitive nature of hip-hop in the early 1990s.
Line by Line Meaning
1 motherfucking 2 motherfucking 3
Counting down to the start of the song
1 and here comes the 2 to the 3, and
Continuing the countdown for the start of the song
? rappers are full of this, since I'm a Don I'm pulling out a hit
Rappers are overhyped, and the singer is going to drop a hit
'cause I'm fired up, I'm tired of all the bullshit
The singer is motivated to perform, and they are sick of the nonsense in the industry
Flavor Unit, it's time to attack the prey
The singer's crew is ready to take on their opponents
So make way for hip-hop's green beret
The singer is comparing their crew to the elite military force
Bring on the refills, you see we feel
The singer is proud of their skills and is ready to go all out
The name of the brain game is kill or be killed
The music industry is cutthroat, and only the strongest survive
I'm an expert, who will be the next jerk to try?
The singer is confident in their abilities and curious who will try to challenge them
Let me explain you got 8 million ways to die
The singer is warning their opponents of the many ways they can be defeated
We torch and scorch ya, make ya feel real sore
The singer and their crew will defeat their enemies and make them feel defeated
Have that ass looking just like this boo-boo slipped the door
The singer is saying they will destroy their opponents to the point where they will look like they were attacked by an animal
Known to kill, dunk skills, e-rupt
The singer is known for their lethal skills and ability to take control
You ask why? My reply is 'I don't give a fuck!'
The singer is unapologetic and does not care about what others think
I'm a Panther, I love fresh meat
The singer compares themselves to a panther, hungry for new challenges
After I kill ya, I'ma leave ya body across 110th Street
After defeating their opponent, the singer will leave their body in public view
My tactics are drastic and real fast
The singer's strategies are drastic and efficient
I tie one to a truck and go drag ya ass
The singer describes one of their brutal tactics
I'm more than a threat, I'm a problem
The singer is a serious problem for anyone who tries to challenge them
To hell with cotton, watch out when I come to Harlem
The singer is unconcerned with conventional rules and is a force to be reckoned with
So don't whisper or make a sound or croak
The singer warns their enemies not to make a move or sound
Shit ya prop, go straight back down ya throat
The singer is saying that their opponent's words won't affect them
Everyday all day this be the hard way
The singer is used to the struggles of the music industry
Putting rappers outta commission even on an off-day
The singer is always able to defeat their opponents
Here comes trouble and it's all that, in fact contact
A new singer is entering the song
You're next of kin, friend, follow the flow format
The singer is confident in their flow and expects their opponent to follow their style
While you slip, I grips so expect to get bruised
The singer will take advantage of their opponent's mistakes
Ask me if I give a fuck 'cause I ain't got shit to lose
The singer does not care and has nothing to lose
Fuck around, lay around and get stuck up
The singer is warning their opponent of the consequences of challenging them
You beatnit, wait a minute, hold the fuck up
The singer is calling out their opponent for talking trash
If I was deaf, dumb, blind, stupid, blame
The singer is saying even if they were at a disadvantage, their opponent still couldn't win
Handicapped, crippled and "pussy" was my middle name
The singer is saying they have no handicaps and are not soft
You couldn't beat me slick, snap that neck like a Chico stick
The singer's opponent's skills are no match for theirs
I know who beat'cha quick (who?), my grip
The singer is claiming responsibility for their opponent's defeat
Failing this to some type of tournament
The singer considers this a battle or competition
I cut ya fucking head off and use it as a Christmas tree ornament
The singer is describing their brutal victory and domination over their opponent
Come and give me a test whoever claims to be the best
The singer is challenging anyone who thinks they are the best
He's with the 40-below footprint on his chest
The singer is confident in their abilities and compares their opponent to someone who has failed
Both of his legs were found in back of a garbage truck
The singer is saying their opponent got what was coming to them
Head found in the bar of a limousine
The singer is saying their opponent was truly defeated
The rest of his body at a dove site in Queens
The singer is claiming responsibility for their opponent's defeat and death
You could of been my main shit but you scrap and will wack, black
The singer is saying their opponent was never good enough to be on their level
The only thing I smoke with a pipe is an ass crack
The singer is saying they do not do drugs and are better than their opponent
You challenge Treach, I'll seal you quick, you can't touch that
The singer is confident in their abilities and is warning their opponent not to challenge them
I thought you did a triple 'cause you said "Aw, fuck that!"
The singer is making a joke about their opponent's lack of skill
Diamond Hill how ya feel, hey Ben Hef
The singer is shouting out to others and saying he is the best
Give me a hearing aid or two then I'm through 'cause I'm that def
The singer does not need help and is confident in their abilities
That's how we all be, tighter than small leaves
The singer's crew is united and strong
Club rapping all be, I'm wrecking on all 3
The singer is excellent in all aspects of the music industry
This drill means chill, Guard Ya Grill, trouble
The singer is warning their opponents to stay calm and be careful
Is that your head or is your neck blowing a fucking bubble?
The singer is saying they will destroy their opponents to the point where they will be disfigured
A-B-C, skip to the S-T
The singer is confident in their rhyming skills
You-V-W-X, fuck the why-Z
The singer is saying they do not care about unnecessary things
Brand new, Brand Nubian, Grand Puba-in
The singer is advertising other groups
Tape them and cruise me then, if I'm wrong, sue me then
The singer is confident in their choices and is not afraid of the consequences
Wait let me hear another tune, tune me in
The singer is turning their attention to something else
So I'm straight, if I hear "drop the bomb" I have to go
The singer will take action if they hear a certain phrase
Break this nig' for anytime or any day, as many rhymes are played
The singer can keep going and going without tiring out
Erase, forgive me not 'cause shit I'm hot, if I can get then you'll get got
The singer is saying they will keep going and will take down anyone who tries to challenge them
Au contraire mon frere this is all my hair
The singer is saying they are natural and confident in their abilities
I wouldn't cut it for the biggest butt-ocks out there
The singer will not change who they are for anyone else
Put on a tip or hitting hips, I'm more than quick
The singer is good at performing and quick on their feet
I Grease my Lightnin', it's frightening how I get, a slick
The singer is boasting about their ability to perform and their style
Schooled, dark, cool Sagittarian
The singer is confident and unique in their abilities
Two types of marrying very thick or very thin
The singer is saying there are two options when it comes to working with them
Naughty By Nature and the Flavor you-N-I-T
The singer is advertising their crew
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY SHAWN CRISS, ANTHONY PEAKS, LAKIM SHABAZ, LUIS ENRIQUE VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davejohnson3860
One of the most underrated cuts they ever made! Just my opinion!
@jamesverpy2376
I am glad that no fuckin thumbs down asshole disagrees with that great comment about that fucking song I might get banned for saying fucking to much even though its every second fuckin word in the chorus hahaha
@otisblue30
It's the right opinion. Actually a fact!
@davejohnson3860
@@otisblue30
Appreciate that ! Lol
@blackturkdog
Not an opinion. Just a fact.
@poeticzjustice77
Xitto
@ndeamonk24
All these dudes ran the table. Dope. Entire album dope.
@micahjared8082
Its like a Zepplin Album > every track is F Nuts. Gotta start this album with a fire extinguisher. Safety First.
@visionairetv149
Lakim did his thing, Apache tortured this shit, & Treach went in for the kill!
@squally8830
Classic, my moms bought this tape for me when I was 11 yrs old & I let this tape rock til the tape popped!