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.
Intro
Naughty By Nature Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
{Talking}
Pastor Troy:
The last chance I got to make shit hot around here. Hello. If I don't go platinum I'm lettin go you can't feel me you just a muthafuckin hoe so now you notice I done got this crunk but who get crunker than the cranker smoke me a half a dro and turn the drank up
The Naughty By Nature song Intro starts with a phone ringing followed by a voice recording of rapper Pastor Troy. The lyrics of the recording talk about the pressure of the music industry and the desire to achieve platinum status. Pastor Troy also uses derogatory language towards those who might question his abilities as an artist. The lyrics then mention him getting "crunk" which is a slang term used to describe getting excited or hyped up, and he uses drug references to describe his state of mind. This recording serves as a statement of intent for Naughty By Nature's album, as if to say that they too are here to make a mark and are not to be underestimated.
Line by Line Meaning
{RING RING RING}
The sound of a phone ringing.
{Talking}
Indication of upcoming speech.
Pastor Troy:
The singer introducing themselves as Pastor Troy.
The last chance I got to make shit hot around here.
Pastor Troy stating this is his last opportunity to make an impact in the music industry.
Hello.
A greeting typically used when answering the phone.
If I don't go platinum I'm lettin go you can't feel me you just a muthafuckin hoe.
Pastor Troy stating that if he doesn't achieve platinum record status, he will give up on the music industry. He speaks to those who don't believe in him and calls them disrespectful names.
So now you notice I done got this crunk but who get crunker than the cranker smoke me a half a dro and turn the drank up
Pastor Troy is proud of his success and boasts about his ability to turn a party up. He references drug and alcohol consumption to enhance the partying experience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEIR GIST, DARREN LIGHTY, DAQUAN YOUNGBLOOD, EDWARD FERRELL, JAHEIM HOAGLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Invader 2000
This album was straight fire back in da days