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.
Hip Hop Hooray (Pete Rock Remi
Naughty By Nature Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
You drew a picture of my morning
But you couldn't make my day (hey!)
I'm rocking and you're yawning
But you never look my way (hey!)
In every single way (hey!)
Your funny flow is foreign and a green card's on the way
This ain't got shit to do with shampoo
But watch your Head 'n Shoulders
Brother older bold enough to fold ya
Yo, I told ya
A raid afraid of what I made
and played em plus a funky fit
So save ya flips and tricks
Put that music in the monkey bit
Triggas from the Grill town Ill town
Some ask how it feels now
The deal is that we're real so we're still 'round
Don't lamp with a freestyle phantom
Ain't tryin' to be handsome
Shrinkin' what ya thinkin' cause I'm vampin'
I live and die for Hip Hop
This is Hip Hop of today
I give props to Hip Hop
So Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
You heard a lot about a brother gainin' mo' ground
Being lowdown
I do the showdown with any little ho' 'round (NO!)
I wanna know who you're believing
Through your funny reasons
Even when I'm sleepin' you think I'm cheating
You said I know you're mister O.P.P man
You P.P man
Won't only see me man
You should've know that I ain't hitting the step
That I was with it a bit
Not to consider the rep (Heck!)
I did your partner cause she's hot as a baker
Cause I'm Naughty By Nature
Not cause I hate ya
You put your heart in a part of a part that spreads apart
And forgot that I forgave when you had a spark
You try to act like something really big is missing
Even though my name's graffiti written on your kitten
I love black women always and disrespect ain't the way
Let's start a family today
Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
Hip Hop, Hip, Hip Hop, Hip, Hip Hop Hooray
There's many hungry Hip Hoppers
One reason Hip Hop's the top today
Swerve what you heard
Cause I ain't baling no hay
Ain't chopping no crop
But still growing every day
Here's a thunder sound from the wonders found
From the underground town down the hill
Feel how Ill town
Drown smiles to frowns
Snatchin' crowns from clowns
Beat downs are found
Don't know me! Don't come around!
Tippy tippy pause
Tippy tippy pause
Some start creepin' up, I eat 'em up
Their styles are older than Lou Rawls
Peace to this one and that one and them
That's the way I shout out and I didn't miss one friend
Fools get foolish neither them or Parker Lewis knew us
You could have crews with shoes and can't step to us
Some kitty's purr
Now call me sir too
Lookin' for her crew
Any trick that diss gets a curfew
I put on projects for boots
Step through troops and leave proof
My problem solver name is Mook
I'm hittin' woodies in a hoody
Peace to Jesette, Jobete, Jo-Jo, Jenae and every hood Gee
That's right, my fight is ill
Peace goes to L.O.N.S & Quest, Nice & Smooth and Cypress Hill
I live and die for Hip Hop
This is Hip Hop of today
I give props to Hip Hop
So Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
Smooth it out now
The lyrics of Naughty By Nature's "Hip Hop Hooray" convey an unbridled enthusiasm for hip hop along with several themes that include personal triumph, social equality, and respect for the genre's roots. The opening lines, "You drew a picture of my morning, but you couldn't make my day, I'm rocking and you're yawning, but you never look my way," address the idea that the artist has come into their own despite not receiving recognition from their peers. "Your funny flow is foreign and a green card's on the way," is a nod to the multicultural aspect of hip hop, indicating that different styles and cultures can coexist.
The second verse focuses on the tension that arises between an artist and their partner. "You said I know you're mister O.P.P man, you P.P man, won't only see me man," is believed to refer to the challenges of infidelity and jealousy in the music industry. The chorus, "Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho," is a tribute to the origins of hip hop, with emphasis placed on the positive impact that the genre has had on society.
The third verse is characterized by exclamations of pride, saying, "Swerve what you heard 'cause I ain't baling no hay, ain't chopping no crop, but still growing every day." This line is a reference to the hard work put into creating music, and it also serves as an implicit critique of people who denigrate hip hop as inferior to other forms of art such as farming or agriculture. Finally, the song concludes with a shoutout to several hip hop groups and artists.
Line by Line Meaning
You drew a picture of my morning
But you couldn't make my day (hey!)
You tried to bring me down, but failed to do so. I'm unbreakable.
I'm rocking and you're yawning
But you never look my way (hey!)
I'm doing great things, but you don't give me the recognition I deserve.
I'm licking down you darling
In every single way (hey!)
Your funny flow is foreign and a green card's on the way
I'm so talented that I can even make you, my competition, look good. But don't get too comfortable, because I'm only getting better.
This ain't got shit to do with shampoo
But watch your Head 'n Shoulders
Brother older bold enough to fold ya
Yo, I told ya
I'm not here to talk about hair care products. But watch out, because I'm old enough and wise enough to take you down.
A raid afraid of what I made
and played em plus a funky fit
So save ya flips and tricks
Put that music in the monkey bit
Your attempt to criticize me is weak and insignificant. Don't bother wasting your energy trying to discredit me, just focus on your own improvement.
Triggas from the Grill town Ill town
Some ask how it feels now
The deal is that we're real so we're still 'round
Don't lamp with a freestyle phantom
Ain't tryin' to be handsome
Shrinkin' what ya thinkin' cause I'm vampin'
We may come from a tough town, but we've survived and thrived. Don't underestimate me just because I have a unique style - I'm not trying to impress anyone, I'm just being myself.
I live and die for Hip Hop
This is Hip Hop of today
I give props to Hip Hop
So Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
Hip Hop is my life and I'm grateful for how it's evolved. Let's celebrate Hip Hop!
You heard a lot about a brother gainin' mo' ground
Being lowdown
I do the showdown with any little ho' 'round (NO!)
I wanna know who you're believing
Through your funny reasons
Even when I'm sleepin' you think I'm cheating
You may have heard rumors about me, but don't believe everything you hear. I don't back down from a challenge and I won't tolerate false accusations.
You said I know you're mister O.P.P man
You P.P man
Won't only see me man
You should've know that I ain't hitting the step
That I was with it a bit
Not to consider the rep (Heck!)
I did your partner cause she's hot as a baker
Cause I'm Naughty By Nature
Not cause I hate ya
You put your heart in a part of a part that spreads apart
And forgot that I forgave when you had a spark
You accused me of being unfaithful, but you're wrong. Sure, I might have hooked up with someone who happens to be your partner, but it's not personal - I'm just being spontaneous.
You try to act like something really big is missing
Even though my name's graffiti written on your kitten
I love black women always and disrespect ain't the way
Let's start a family today
Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
You're jealous of what I have, but you're not fooling anyone. I respect women of color and I'm ready to commit to starting a family with the right partner.
Hip Hop, Hip, Hip Hop, Hip, Hip Hop Hooray
There's many hungry Hip Hoppers
One reason Hip Hop's the top today
Swerve what you heard
Cause I ain't baling no hay
Ain't chopping no crop
But still growing every day
Hip Hop is thriving right now, thanks to many talented artists who are hungry to make a mark. I'm not doing manual labor, but I'm still working hard and growing as an artist.
Here's a thunder sound from the wonders found
From the underground town down the hill
Feel how Ill town
Drown smiles to frowns
Snatchin' crowns from clowns
Beat downs are found
Don't know me! Don't come around!
I come from a humble background, but I'm making a lot of noise with my music. The competition is fierce and I'm ready to take on anyone who tries to bring me down.
Tippy tippy pause
Tippy tippy pause
Some start creepin' up, I eat 'em up
Their styles are older than Lou Rawls
Peace to this one and that one and them
That's the way I shout out and I didn't miss one friend
Fools get foolish neither them or Parker Lewis knew us
You could have crews with shoes and can't step to us
Some kitty's purr
Now call me sir too
Lookin' for her crew
Any trick that diss gets a curfew
I put on projects for boots
Step through troops and leave proof
My problem solver name is Mook
I'm hittin' woodies in a hoody
Peace to Jesette, Jobete, Jo-Jo, Jenae and every hood Gee
That's right, my fight is ill
Peace goes to L.O.N.S & Quest, Nice & Smooth and Cypress Hill
I'm calling out anyone who thinks they can outdo me with their outdated style. But I'm also giving respect to my friends and fellow artists who are doing great things in the industry. I'm not afraid to take on challenges and I always leave behind proof of my success.
I live and die for Hip Hop
This is Hip Hop of today
I give props to Hip Hop
So Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
Hip Hop Hooray, ho-hey-ho-hey-ho-hey-ho
Smooth it out now
I'll always be dedicated to Hip Hop and respect the evolution of the genre. Let's celebrate the greatness that Hip Hop is today. Smooth it out now, and enjoy the vibe.
Contributed by Adam V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Align Academy TV
Thanks for sharing this classic.
Love the horns and the Rakim sample: "Feed me hip-hop and I start tremblin'..."
Jason
Wouldn’t expect nothing less from Pete Rock. This puts a smile on my face every single time.
Mad Freak Music
Pete Rock Rules! I love the sample!
LaChele
If Mr. Pete Rock produced it then you knew it was gon be good.
NIGHT LIFE PLUG DIGITAL MAGAZINE
Still 🔥 going to add this to our playlist on our channel! Keep hip hop alive!
William Hernandez
I remember hearing it in a store back in 95. Hadn't heard it since. Around the same time that Treach was on the remix for Michael Jackson's Scream. A shame cats don't put this PR remix among the other great one he's done.
relldafox
Rare Pete Rock remix. #dope #realhiphop
K. Delpino
It most certainly is.
Can't believe i found this.
Dan Pyo
2021 still bobbin my head to it