Naughty by Nature is a hip hop group that at the time of its formation in 1… Read Full Bio ↴Naughty by Nature is a hip hop group that at the time of its formation in 1991, consisted of Treach, Vinnie, and the DJ Kay Gee.

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.

Thugs & Hustlers
Naughty By Nature Lyrics

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featuring Krayzie Bone Mag

[Intro: (Mag)]

Aw shit! Here we go!

Aw there go my niggas over there!

Yeah there go my thugs over there!

There go them bitches over there!

Look out for shots for my real niggas!

[Chorus:]

Where my thugs where my hustlers at?

Where my thugs where my hustlers at? Say what?

Where my thugs where my hustlers at?

Where my thuss where my hustlers at? Say what?

The Henny's in me, you can't change that

Crack the blunt, roll that bitch up, where my thugs at?

Where my thugs at? Show me where my thugs at

Where my thugs at? Show me where my thugs at

The Henny's in me, you can't change that

Crack the blunt, roll that bitch up, where my thugs at?

Where my thugs at? Show me where my thugs at

Where my thugs at? Show me where my thugs at

[Mag]

Now why should locs give a fuck?

What? Nigga my mental's stuck

I gotta be dirty damn near all the time, strapped the fuck up

Post the fuck up, Smoked the fuck up, locced the fuck up

When the po po come we don't choke the fuck up, punk

Bitch ass niggas know they can't run with me

Real ass niggas they get it done with me

Because they want with me

Ha, it's just the low life I live

Shit forever we ride, dub sac, my homey done died

My head stays busted

All motherfuckin day, off that Henny blessed with Alhezay

Hey, what, gangstafied, bout it bout it til I die nigga

Bounce to this and if you dig it press rewind

[Treach]

See now my thugs do the gangsta and the killin and stealin

While my hustlers do the bankin and the dealin for millions

My pimps be curlin, crimpin, straight pimpin and illin

My gangsta thugs on this club on the motherfuckin realin

See, some motherfuckers got loot to get

It's just some motherfuckers can't shoot for shit

So my hustlers call my thugs for the slugs for the hit

And yeah my thugs roll and shoot in the hoop like a six

Came from east to the west playin steelo with Beelow

Niggas fought drinkin corpse, too much cut on the kilos

So we took every jewel that he just bought from Tito

Then Beelow rolled him through the desert

Left him bleedin in Reno, without a see-note

A section or a solid to sell it

Ain't married fuck a ring, save the carats for rabbits

'cause a pimp and a thug and a hustler know

You trick your grip, the bitch got rich and you's the hoe, woah

[Chorus]

[Krayzie Bone]

You see them packin niggas goin in the club, token, smokin bud

Ain't no security at the door so they ain't even get touched

Now they better tear this motherfucker up

If you one of them niggas, us

Straight to the parkin, lift them nigga what

We all thugged out, got on khakis, fatigues and boots

Just watchin all the loud talkers floss they cheese and jewels

Clean diamond rings and suits, we ain't hatin nigga we hungry

And we'll rob your ass with the quickness if you show me the money

Call it whatever my nigga but I call it being a thug and a hustler

And you gotta have the nuts to be both

And I gotta roll with the raws

And get with the steady regardless

Fuck, how much your bitch and how many niggas you with

See we the ones that like to crash the party

Drink all the forties up and disrespect every nigga in there

'cause we don't give a fuck (we don't)

Just 'cause I be rappin and all my records went platinum

Don't exactly mean I had to get rid of my Thug Mentality

But I know some niggas be fakin themselves

That's 'cause they hoes

And when they get caught up in confrontations they be scared as hell

Ain't nothin wrong with bein a thug, but y'all got to keep it real

So don't you get your ass on wax tellin lies about how you live

Now I dedicate this to my real strugglers

Make em feel ya, fuck makin em love ya

And y'all gon learn, them thugs and hustlers

Hustlers, hustlers

Overall Meaning

The song "Thugs & Hustlers" by Naughty By Nature ft. Krayzie Bone & Mag is an appropriate representation of '90s gang culture in America. The introduction verse of the song sets the stage for a wild night in the hood where the opening line, "Where my thugs at" sets the tone for a night of lowlife activity. The rough, hard-edged lyrics are emblematic of the rawness of life in impoverished communities. The lyrics preach that to survive in such spaces, one had to be ruthless and adaptable in various facets of life, ranging from hustling drugs to becoming a skilled thief. The song is a reminder of the realities of life in the ghetto and the ways in which it shaped the behaviors of the people who survived it.

Treach talks about the game being divided between pimps, thugs, and hustlers. The hustlers made money on the legal side, while thugs sabotaged anything that opposed them. Pimps, on the other hand, kept their women on a necklace, protected them, and also became providers for them. Krayzie Bone lends his flow to speak about the pack of guys carrying guns into the club and smoking marijuana, who no one dared to touch. Knowing how guns are especially taboo, that made them sort of untouchables or a potential threat to public safety. The song "Thugs & Hustlers," with its blunt and unapologetic lyrics, embodies the spirit of the '90s gang culture in America, where survival was key, and you had to rely on yourself to make it through.

Line by Line Meaning

Aw shit! Here we go!
Excitement and anticipation as the crew gears up for a night on the town.

Aw there go my niggas over there!
Spotting the crew in the distance, ready to have some fun.

Yeah there go my thugs over there!
Identifying members of the crew who live a gritty lifestyle.

There go them bitches over there!
Referring to women who are present, perhaps looking to be picked up by the crew.

Look out for shots for my real niggas!
A warning to stay alert and ready for dangerous situations.

Where my thugs where my hustlers at?
Asking where the crew members who live the street life are at the moment.

The Henny's in me, you can't change that
Admitting to being under the influence and unable to sober up while still enjoying the night life.

Crack the blunt, roll that bitch up, where my thugs at?
Asking someone to prepare a joint for smoking and looking for the people who share these habits.

Now why should locs give a fuck?
Questioning the opinion of people who are not part of the crew and their relevance to the night's activities.

I gotta be dirty damn near all the time, strapped the fuck up
Living in a way that is constantly dangerous and always prepared for violent confrontation.

Post the fuck up, Smoked the fuck up, locced the fuck up
Preparing to smoke and become high, readying oneself to handle any dangerous situations that may arise.

Real ass niggas they get it done with me
Pledging loyalty to friends who are trustworthy and reliable in supporting the street lifestyle.

Ha, it's just the low life I live
Acknowledging that the street life is not glamorous, but it is the reality for many of the crew members.

My head stays busted
Feeling the effects of always being alert and ready for trouble.

All motherfuckin day, off that Henny blessed with Alhezay
Drinking throughout the day, using alcohol to cope with the stress of the street lifestyle.

See now my thugs do the gangsta and the killin and stealin
Explaining how the crew divides responsibility for dangerous activities.

My gangsta thugs on this club on the motherfuckin realin
Confirming that the crew members present are living in the moment and enjoying the night out.

It's just some motherfuckers can't shoot for shit
Assuming that some of the crew may not be equipped to handle guns and violent situations effectively.

So my hustlers call my thugs for the slugs for the hit
Describing how the crew relies on each other's strengths to accomplish their goals.

Came from east to the west playin steelo with Beelow
Mentioning a past incident or encounter that was successful and helped the crew gain respect.

And y'all gon learn, them thugs and hustlers
Insisting that the street life is not for everyone and requires dedication and sacrifice.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VINCENT E BROWN, ANTHONY SHAWN CRISS, KEIR LAMONT GIST, ANTHONY HENDERSON, FALONTE D MOORE, DONALD ROBINSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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