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.
Hot Potato
Naughty By Nature Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mic check 1-2, strap it up, load the beat, cock the mic
And your rhyme better be fat, or you might have to fight
Yeah, there`s no escape from the terrordome
You know I`m nice when I`m bustin' fat rhymes on the metronome
MC`s never pass the mic to the Foxxx, cause
Once I bust a fat rhyme, you be a has-was
You`ll be leaving your show in a hearse Nova
I`m flippin' the x`s three times and I`m back again
See, on my way down stage they had me strapped in
But once I hit New York and they losened the chains
I went and bought me a Tec, now I`m wild, insane
I`m on a hunt for a rapper who want to turn singer
I got my beat-em-down bat and a itchy finger
So if you`re nice with the mic and you want to flip
I`m the rap bounty hunter and it`s time to get yo ass whipped
Yeah, I`m comin' from the streets, pop
And please fight back, so you can get dropped
It`s time to see who`s nice and who can really rap
I smack the taste out your mouth, you want to be a mack
I`m not tryin' to shake the water and wake the gator
But I`ma pass the mic like a hot potato
1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4
(1 - 2 - 3- 4)
[Treach]
You fly high...
I heard your tape, then flipped the next side lookin for the def side
You couldn`t be alright if I erased your left side
Who`s wet dried when Treach tried, next died
I`m gonna slide your wet wide, so step side
Any dull raps get the skull caps pulled back full breeze
Blastin' your ass back at full speed
Hoes in flow, you know, bimbo
And won`t stop prayin' and playin' until I`m layin' up in fo`
Nowhere to run, nowhere to go
I got a solid hip below the belt to make your nuts not grow
Here`s to all crews that been wack
I got a thinkin cap with raps I attached with a chin strap
Flash past your girl who`s def in the flesh
Yes, you can`t believe that she said "Treach"
The wicked-a-wicked-a-wully-bully
Bad and fully and surely bad
Ready and willy gettin' ???? glad
Dissed in hell and fell in fire
I attack your back, force you to retire with a wet wire
Give you the whip appeal like Toby
Listen, oldie but goldie
Take the dough from all who owe me
1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4
(1 - 2 - 3- 4)
[Freddie Foxx]
If a rapper disrespect me I smack him in his mouth
I tow him in a yoke, grab him by his throat - boom! then I knock him out
I keep heat and keep the clips in my sock
When my glock get hot you punk niggas better leave the block
Yeah, Freddie Foxx on a rampage
Every time I touch the mic the police is standin' front stage
'Cause I been labeled as a troublemaker
I send my baddest girl to your house to play the heart breaker
She`ll lay you down and put hickeys on your chest
Then turn around and blast you with a .33 shot Tec
You couldn`t rap, you was wack from the get-go
So you got bumped off by my head hoe
Called by the Militant Mack, my mentality is jail
Long as I`m strapped I can`t fail
Check this, I take the bass and I bust you in the eye with it
A piece of steel with a screen on top, I`m gettin fly with it
I`m bringin' suckers to the street again
'Cause them same broke-ass niggas ridin' on my meat again
Mr. Microphone flipped the beat again
Suckers got caught with the rhyme, felt the heat again
I`m breakin' it down, lettin' you know I`m never lettin' go
I beat your brother down, punk, just to let you know
This is hip-hop, gee, not `hit pop`
You mess around with the beats, get your boots knocked
I`ma slide, I`m in her when I see you suckers later
As I pass the mic like a hot potato
1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4
(1 - 2 - 3- 4)
[Treach]
Shrimps attempt to get pimped when playin pimp, why
Sleepin with a limp eye
Pass the hot potato, Treach done ???? chop to french fries
Mad as a murder vet, man, it`ll hurt a set
Well, to hell with you and your fat-o with the gurtle neck
So ol` golddigger, dig some dirt, there you have it
Want ring or a marriage, go get the carrot from a rabbit
Before I stab him for his lucky foot
Hit him with a puffy hook, hit the hare, now look how lucky looks
I`m not a chip on your shoulder, I`m a boulder on a path
Left a gash, you catch a headache in your ass
Class I`m disrespectin', I won`t see you trippin', clown
Shh - when I do, you be trippin', slippin' and fallin' down
All`s left to call cops
When I smack you with a leather wig and make you suckers suede bald spots
Chip-chop, flip the hip-hop, I chuckle
You couldn`t knock boots with a muthafuckin' knuckle
It`s on, what`s more, talk and get a boo-boo from your jaw
It`s easy as 1-2-3-4
1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4
(1 - 2 - 3- 4)
[ Treach ]
That`s what I`m talkin `bout
Word up
4 potatoes
4 verses
Some hard rough stuff for all those hungry MC`s out there, you know what I'm sayin'
[Freddie Foxx]
Yeah baby
Nothin' commercial about this
The Militant Mack in the house
And I got a right hand for all that try to stand in my face and front
Believe that
And I`m comin' straight from the streets
Word up
The lyrics of Naughty By Nature's song "Hot Potato" reflect the competitive nature of the hip-hop culture. Throughout the song, Freddie Foxx and Treach alternate verses that showcase their skills as rappers and highlight their confidence in their abilities. Foxx warns that anyone who disrespects him will face consequences, while Treach boasts about his ability to take down any opponent. The repeated refrain of "1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4" reinforces the idea that the mic is constantly being passed around, and each rapper must prove their worth when they have their chance to speak. Ultimately, "Hot Potato" presents a world in which the competition is fierce, and only the strongest and most skilled rappers can rise to the top.
One interesting fact about "Hot Potato" is that it was released as part of Naughty By Nature's "19 Naughty III" album in 1993. This was the group's third album and was highly successful, earning platinum status in the United States. The album also included hits such as "Hip Hop Hooray" and "Written on Ya Kitten."
Another interesting fact about "Hot Potato" is that it features Freddie Foxx, also known as Bumpy Knuckles. Foxx is a rapper and producer who has worked with a variety of other artists over the years, including KRS-One, Gang Starr, and Royce da 5'9". In "Hot Potato," Foxx's aggressive rhymes serve as a counterpoint to Treach's smoother flow.
Additionally, "Hot Potato" features production by Naughty By Nature's own Kay Gee. Kay Gee is known for his skills as a producer and has worked with many other artists throughout his career. In "Hot Potato," Kay Gee's beats provide a perfect backdrop for the intense rhymes of Foxx and Treach.
Line by Line Meaning
Mic check 1-2, strap it up, load the beat, cock the mic
Preparing to perform with energy and intensity; setting up the equipment and getting ready to showcase skills
And your rhyme better be fat, or you might have to fight
Challenging other rappers to bring their best lyrics and performance or face physical confrontation
Once I bust a fat rhyme, you'll be a has-was
Expressing confidence in own lyrical prowess; suggesting that competitors pale in comparison
I'm flippin' the x's three times and I'm back again
Asserting resilience and determination; bouncing back even stronger from setbacks
I'm on a hunt for a rapper who want to turn singer
Looking for a worthy challenger who can compete with skills and express themselves through music
I'm the rap bounty hunter and it's time to get yo ass whipped
Positioning self as a tough and ruthless enforcer in the hip-hop world; setting high standards for performance and creativity
I'm not tryin' to shake the water and wake the gator
Avoiding unnecessary conflict or danger; keeping things under control
You couldn't be alright if I erased your left side
Claiming superiority over other rappers; implying that they are inferior and lack talent
Hoes in flow, you know, bimbo
Showing disdain for shallow or superficial lyrics; criticizing rappers who rely on derogatory or sexist language
I'm not a chip on your shoulder, I'm a boulder on a path
Asserting self-confidence and resilience; suggesting that competitors cannot intimidate or discourage
It's easy as 1-2-3-4
Making it clear that top-notch performance is effortless and natural; expressing ease in handling opponents
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VINCENT E BROWN, ANTHONY SHAWN CRISS, KEIR GIST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mimi
Mic check 1-2, strap it up, load the beat, cock the mic
And your rhyme better be fat, or you might have to fight
Yeah, there`s no escape from the terrordome
You know I`m nice when I`m bustin' fat rhymes on the metronome
MC`s never pass the mic to the Foxxx, cause
Once I bust a fat rhyme, you be a has-was
I beat you down on stage and when the battle`s over
You`ll be leaving your show in a hearse Nova
I`m flippin' the x`s three times and I`m back again
See, on my way down stage they had me strapped in
But once I hit New York and they losened the chains
I went and bought me a Tec, now I`m wild, insane
I`m on a hunt for a rapper who want to turn singer
I got my beat-em-down bat and a itchy finger
So if you`re nice with the mic and you want to flip
I`m the rap bounty hunter and it`s time to get yo ass whipped
Yeah, I`m comin' from the streets, pop
And please fight back, so you can get dropped
It`s time to see who`s nice and who can really rap
I smack the taste out your mouth, you want to be a mack
I`m not tryin' to shake the water and wake the gator
But I`ma pass the mic like a hot potato
1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4
(1 - 2 - 3- 4)
You fly high...
I heard your tape, then flipped the next side lookin for the def side
You couldn`t be alright if I erased your left side
Who`s wet dried when Treach tried, next died
I`m gonna slide your wet wide, so step side
Any dull raps get the skull caps pulled back full breeze
Blastin' your ass back at full speed
Hoes in flow, you know, bimbo
And won`t stop prayin' and playin' until I`m layin' up in fo`
Nowhere to run, nowhere to go
I got a solid hip below the belt to make your nuts not grow
Here`s to all crews that been wack
I got a thinkin cap with raps I attached with a chin strap
Flash past your girl who`s def in the flesh
Yes, you can`t believe that she said "Treach"
The wicked-a-wicked-a-wully-bully
Bad and fully and surely bad
Ready and willy gettin' ???? glad
Dissed in hell and fell in fire
I attack your back, force you to retire with a wet wire
Give you the whip appeal like Toby
Listen, oldie but goldie
Take the dough from all who owe me
1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4
(1 - 2 - 3- 4)
If a rapper disrespect me I smack him in his mouth
I tow him in a yoke, grab him by his throat - boom! then I knock him out
I keep heat and keep the clips in my sock
When my glock get hot you punk niggas better leave the block
Yeah, Freddie Foxx on a rampage
Every time I touch the mic the police is standin' front stage
'Cause I been labeled as a troublemaker
I send my baddest girl to your house to play the heart breaker
She`ll lay you down and put hickeys on your chest
Then turn around and blast you with a .33 shot Tec
You couldn`t rap, you was wack from the get-go
So you got bumped off by my head hoe
Called by the Militant Mack, my mentality is jail
Long as I`m strapped I can`t fail
Check this, I take the bass and I bust you in the eye with it
A piece of steel with a screen on top, I`m gettin fly with it
I`m bringin' suckers to the street again
'Cause them same broke-ass niggas ridin' on my meat again
Mr. Microphone flipped the beat again
Suckers got caught with the rhyme, felt the heat again
I`m breakin' it down, lettin' you know I`m never lettin' go
I beat your brother down, punk, just to let you know
This is hip-hop, gee, not `hit pop`
You mess around with the beats, get your boots knocked
I`ma slide, I`m in her when I see you suckers later
As I pass the mic like a hot potato
1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4
(1 - 2 - 3- 4)
Shrimps attempt to get pimped when playin pimp, why
Sleepin with a limp eye
Pass the hot potato, Treach done ???? chop to french fries
Mad as a murder vet, man, it`ll hurt a set
Well, to hell with you and your fat-o with the gurtle neck
So ol` golddigger, dig some dirt, there you have it
Want ring or a marriage, go get the carrot from a rabbit
Before I stab him for his lucky foot
Hit him with a puffy hook, hit the hare, now look how lucky looks
I`m not a chip on your shoulder, I`m a boulder on a path
Left a gash, you catch a headache in your ass
Class I`m disrespectin', I won`t see you trippin', clown
Shh - when I do, you be trippin', slippin' and fallin' down
All`s left to call cops
When I smack you with a leather wig and make you suckers suede bald spots
Chip-chop, flip the hip-hop, I chuckle
You couldn`t knock boots with a muthafuckin' knuckle
It`s on, what`s more, talk and get a boo-boo from your jaw
It`s easy as 1-2-3-4
1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato, 4
(1 - 2 - 3- 4)
That`s what I`m talkin `bout
Word up
4 potatoes
4 verses
Some hard rough stuff for all those hungry MC`s out there, you know what I'm sayin'
Yeah baby
Nothin' commercial about this
The Militant Mack in the house
And I got a right hand for all that try to stand in my face and front
Believe that
And I`m comin' straight from the streets
Word up
D3
This track is STILL UNTOUCHABLE!!!!!.....These two made MAGIC!
Pablo Lopez
That is what is called a 100% Rap!!!!!!
Duster Buglas
Freddie Foxxx put that beat in a yoke!
Houndawg Buck50
Low key classic
Brian Simpson
2:19-2:23 🤷🏻♂️
Jay Freedom
Nobody mention KGee on production conversations...he is so underrated! And have a unique style!
Edwin B
Yup, KG is their mastermind!
Keith Maddox
Don't mess with the Foxxx!!! PERIOD!!!
Worn out Testicles
He's one of the greats.. so is Chyskillz RIP
Fresh-N-Stoned
First songs I heard besides slam and last days.. freddie foxx is still one of my favorites.