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.
Sleepin' On Jersey
Naughty By Nature Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Naughty (yeah) Word up
Naughty (yeah) Word up
Naughty (yeah) Word up
I'm takin' tricky routes in a Dickies suit
Tougher than a trucker
Harder as a bucko plus
19 Naughty 1 through Naughty 9, I'm housin'
Plus the year Treach Thousand
Back trigger hap, did you figure that
With a bigger bat
With a rap tough as a nigga nap
Tell him to drop through
Hookers gettin' dropped too
What do I think about you?
And put it on a box and stamp it
So I can FedEx your ass to Kansas
I put a few blows in cargo
So you could tongue twist your
Ass back to Chicago
I'm servin' force, fightin' mighty hard
I did too much to get real hip
Hop back to give it back y'all
Took it to your face, took it to your chest
Go and kiss your cutie with
My nuts on her breath, yup!
Listen up bad boy, rude boy
Control so here we go-o
A lot of ho's heard of me, won't murder me
I had surgery, quick I had a doctor stitch
A condom to my shit
And it won't slay no bug spray, break
Or bust if 5-O trouble, like a bubble
Than I just double up
Stare me up and down, try your luck around
You could put your dick through a
Hula hoop and couldn't fuck around
Come try me on a slow day like no day
A ho day like yo day, ho hay take a
I love you too, give me some loot
Vin pushes an Ac, Kay pushes a van
And Treach still pushes boots
Just when you thought you wasn't bought
I smack your ass with your
Then dump you in north Newark
You's a motherfuckin' good sport
Your own pain you bought
You did before you thought
No one can act like they ain't heard of me
Have mercy now motherfuckers might stop
Sleepin' on Jersey
Listen up bad boy, rude boy
Control so here we go-o
Funky style gettin' fuckin' wild
Some monkeys diss, talk shit, speak
And smile
Sometimes I diss, sometimes I break
Talk behind my motherfuckin' back I'm
Takin' off your fuckin' face
Roughneck, god you rudeboy
You got jacked for ya stuffed like a cactus
Now act like an actress
Someone throws a show so
They play musical mattress
Never turn Charlie Good, turn burn Hollywood
Burn who the hell is concerned
What the blacks earn?
Not a motherfuckin' soul unless
You sell your soul or your record sales blow
I ain't your everyday Tom or Tommy
I ain't your boy, don't play me
Don't play me boy
The bad does dirt, the good gets hurt
You could get murked, the hood comes first
Waxin' that ass, fuck a car wash
Turnin' your ass like a doorknob
No one can act like they ain't heard of me
Now motherfuckers might stop
Sleepin' on Jersey
Listen up bad boy, rude boy
Control so here we go-o
Yeah! Naughtyword up
The song "Sleepin' On Jersey" by Naughty By Nature is a defiant anthem that showcases the group's confidence and pride in their roots in New Jersey. The lyrics convey a sense of toughness and resilience, with references to taking tricky routes, being tougher than a trucker, and being a force to be reckoned with. The mention of Naughty 1 through Naughty 9 and Treach Thousand represents the group's history and longevity in the music industry.
The song also highlights the group's disdain for those who underestimate them or overlook their talent. The line "No one can act like they ain't heard of me" suggests that Naughty By Nature deserves recognition and respect for their contributions to hip-hop. The lyrics also touch on themes of loyalty and staying true to their roots, as they proudly mention pushing boots (a reference to Timberland boots, which have become a symbol of East Coast hip-hop style) and representing their hometown of Newark.
Overall, "Sleepin' On Jersey" is a bold declaration of Naughty By Nature's presence in the music industry and their refusal to be overlooked or underestimated.
Line by Line Meaning
Naughty naughty (yeah) Word up
Acknowledgment and affirmation of Naughty By Nature's presence and message
I'm takin' tricky routes in a Dickies suit
I navigate through challenges and obstacles with cleverness and resilience
Tougher than a trucker
I'm strong and resilient, like a truck driver
Harder as a bucko plus
I'm even tougher and more determined than anyone else
A ashy knuckle motherfucker
I'm a gritty and resilient individual
19 Naughty 1 through Naughty 9, I'm housin'
From 1991 to 1999, I dominate the scene with my music
Plus the year Treach Thousand
In addition to those years, Treach adds his unique style in the new millennium
Back trigger hap, did you figure that
I'm quick to take action, did you anticipate that?
With a bigger bat
And I bring even more power and impact
With a rap tough as a nigga nap
My rap is tough and strong, like a nap taken by a tired individual
Tell him to drop through
Let him know to come over
Hookers gettin' dropped too
Even the prostitutes are falling for my charm
What do I think about you?
What are my thoughts and opinions regarding your character?
And put it on a box and stamp it
I'll express my thoughts clearly and confidently
So I can FedEx your ass to Kansas
I want to send you away and remove you from my surroundings
I put a few blows in cargo
I deliver powerful hits and lines
So you could tongue twist your
To make you stumble over your words
Ass back to Chicago
And send you back to where you came from, in this case, Chicago
I'm servin' force, fightin' mighty hard
I bring a strong and determined presence, fighting with all my might
I did too much to get real hip
I've put in a lot of effort to truly understand and embody hip-hop
Hop back to give it back y'all
I'm here to bring real hip-hop back to the listeners
Took it to your face, took it to your chest
I deliver my message directly and boldly
Go and kiss your cutie with
Even after confronting me, go and show affection to your loved one
My nuts on her breath, yup!
A playful and provocative statement, implying dominance and influence
Listen up bad boy, rude boy
Pay attention, individuals with a rebellious attitude
Control so here we go-o
I have command and influence, let's begin
A lot of ho's heard of me, won't murder me
Many women are aware of my fame, but they cannot harm me
I had surgery, quick I had a doctor stitch
I underwent a transformation, swiftly mended by a skilled doctor
A condom to my shit
A metaphorical layer of protection to my career and reputation
And it won't slay no bug spray, break
It won't be defeated or deterred by any form of criticism or obstacle
Or bust if 5-O trouble, like a bubble
Or it won't burst if faced with police trouble, as delicate as a bubble
Than I just double up
Instead, I become even stronger and more determined
Stare me up and down, try your luck around
You can scrutinize or challenge me, but it won't end well for you
You could put your dick through a
Even if you attempt the impossible
Hula hoop and couldn't fuck around
You still won't succeed or have any impact
Come try me on a slow day like no day
Challenge me when I appear to be less active or engaged
A ho day like yo day, ho hay take a
A day when you're feeling down and vulnerable, go ahead
I love you too, give me some loot
Even if you express affection, I want financial support or compensation
Vin pushes an Ac, Kay pushes a van
Vin deals with luxury cars, and Kay with vans
And Treach still pushes boots
Treach continues to represent the streets and urban culture
Just when you thought you wasn't bought
Just when you believed you couldn't be influenced or manipulated
I smack your ass with your
I confront and humble you with
Then dump you in north Newark
And then discard you in a less desirable location
You's a motherfuckin' good sport
You accept and endure the humiliation gracefully
Your own pain you bought
You willingly brought this pain upon yourself
You did before you thought
You made this mistake without considering the consequences
No one can act like they ain't heard of me
No one can deny or pretend they don't know about my existence
Have mercy now motherfuckers might stop
Show me some respect, as individuals might start acknowledging my talent
Sleepin' on Jersey
Disregarding or neglecting the talent that emerges from the state of New Jersey
Funky style gettin' fuckin' wild
My unique style is energetic and uninhibited
Some monkeys diss, talk shit, speak
Some individuals disrespect and criticize, speaking negatively
And smile
But they do so with a façade of pleasure or satisfaction
Sometimes I diss, sometimes I break
Sometimes I engage in verbal attacks, other times I break barriers
Talk behind my motherfuckin' back I'm
If you speak ill of me behind my back, I'm
Takin' off your fuckin' face
Unmasking your true intentions and revealing your hypocrisy
Roughneck, god you rudeboy
I am a tough and rugged individual, a true rudeboy
You got jacked for ya stuffed like a cactus
You were robbed of your belongings, leaving you empty like a prickly cactus
Now act like an actress
Now pretend and put on a show, just like an actress would
Someone throws a show so
An event is organized, so
They play musical mattress
People engage in promiscuous activities, changing partners frequently
Never turn Charlie Good, turn burn Hollywood
I never conform to the mainstream or sell out, I would rather criticize Hollywood
Burn who the hell is concerned
Burn and disregard anyone who cares about the mainstream perspective
What the blacks earn?
Why should black individuals be concerned about their financial success?
Not a motherfuckin' soul unless
Unless no one truly matters or cares
You sell your soul or your record sales blow
Unless you compromise your integrity or achieve massive commercial success
I ain't your everyday Tom or Tommy
I'm not your average guy, neither conformist nor conventional
I ain't your boy, don't play me
Don't consider me as someone easily manipulated or controlled
Don't play me boy
Don't attempt to deceive or manipulate me
The bad does dirt, the good gets hurt
The immoral individuals commit harmful actions, while the righteous suffer
You could get murked, the hood comes first
You could be killed, the needs and demands of the community take priority
Waxin' that ass, fuck a car wash
I relentlessly attack and humiliate you, making a car wash seem insignificant
Turnin' your ass like a doorknob
I control and manipulate you as easily as turning a doorknob
No one can act like they ain't heard of me
No one can deny or pretend they don't know about my existence
Now motherfuckers might stop
Now individuals might finally pay attention and acknowledge my talent
Sleepin' on Jersey
Disregarding or neglecting the talent that emerges from the state of New Jersey
Listen up bad boy, rude boy
Pay attention, individuals with a rebellious attitude
Control so here we go-o
I have command and influence, let's begin
Yeah! Naughtyword up
Yes! Naughty By Nature is here to deliver their message
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SurgeonVault
I love this album! Treach went off
@clangriffin3747
The good old days
@brotherdarkness89
Probably one of the most underrated beefs in hip hop. Both them and twista went hard on their disses though I lean on Twista's diss more
@SDSOverfiend
Treach was getting at Twista hard on this One🔥🔥🔥 My favorite song on the album.
@Discipleofyeshuahamaschiach
Tech N9ne too !!! (Kansas)
@drumsrugged4419
Yeah forgot about this one...shit still dope!!!... I remember a time when Treach was one of the most feared MCs in the game... if I was going to introduce a kid to Naughty by Nature for the first time today I will let them listen to the first three naughty albums
@olcloudy1618
This song goes so hard
@beavercleaver5770
This cassette went hard! I was in 5th grade jamming this! Its still jams!
@ayske1
I was probably the similar age. My older siblings had this on cassette and the reggae rhyme was so sick. I remember their later albums mellowed out
@ceedee7647
Krazy Flow 🍌