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.
Would've Done The Same For Me
Naughty By Nature Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And many people really ain't worth the mentionin'
Thugs, me hugs, and plus a little gentle friend
Or the mentals if I wile I get antetion then
Do my drama from court to case
While others turn they back I turn my hate to faith
that's why I'm here, but boo's, any place or date
If there's tear in my eyes you come to dry my face
After the past, I didn't think I could stand it again
On the streets, me and Miny wonderin' shall I kill
I do for all, when will someone ask me how I feel?
Ladies, if you're down and my pics on you're wall
Just pop in this song and won't let you fall
To all my ladies, got ya letters and I love you to death
Now I appreciate the breath that the dear lord left
Why do I stand for my fam and put it down for my peeps?
(Oh, I like it)
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Why do I see my women fallin' down and put 'em back on they feet?
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Why do I put it down for the streets and my R.I.P's?
(Oh, and I like it)
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Why do I embrace the face that sets the mob free?
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
With the kindness of people and most don't even know
'Cause this wilderness was'nt designed to see us grow
My thugs through the years who've always been true
Just know that I take the bullet for you
Life ain't livin' without givin', worth fryin' for lyin'
Ain't jack for free, but I'm supplyin' if you're tryin'
Have friends before the Benz, respect before a Lexus
Mama's(Mama's) gave us life, but brotha's have to protect us(Protect us)
Some wonder why I still got love
Why I still live in the hood, and why I still share grub
Why I play with the kids, lose money on clubs
To keep my people off the streets and away from the slugs
Sometimes rats run traps while our sista's get named
Sometimes bitches do thangs, and our queens get blamed
But I'm puttin' things on blast for my women and G's
'Cause you woulda done the same for me
Why do I stand for my fam and put it down for my peeps?
(Oh, I like it)
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Why do I see my women fallin' down and put 'em back on they feet?
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Why do I put it down for the streets and my R.I.P's?
(Oh, and I like it)
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Why do I embrace the face that sets the mob free?
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Where's my ladies who support and understand when
Yeah I'm tired but I still gotta visit the pen
I appreciate you love the love I show them
Woulda want the same thing if I had to go in
Lost the love of my life over stress and strife
If I couldn't care for me, I couldn't care for a wife
So I looked at the Lord and what he said was right
"there's obstacles but everything is gonna be alright"
If you feelin' what I'm feelin', lay back and give me love
So when you see me on the streets or clubs give me hug
To understand unity, you gotta understand we
You and I, you and them, them and me, see
y'all did for me, now I'll bow for the royalty
Just to know y'all is the love the loyalty
Behind every strong man there's a strong lady with 'em
Behind me I seem to have a whole nation of women
Why do I shout out all my women and adore my queens?
(Oh, I like it)
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Why do I destroy anything that stops my teams dreams?
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Why do I see my people is and tell 'em what I see to be?
(Oh, and I like it)
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Why do I embrace the face that sets the mob free?
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
Oh, and I like it
Oh, and I like it
In "Would've Done The Same For Me," Naughty By Nature raps about the importance of loyalty and family. The lyrics express the idea that true friends and family will always be there for you, no matter what. The song acknowledges the struggles and obstacles that come with life and how having a supportive community can make all the difference. The lyrics also touch on heavier topics such as violence in the streets and the institutional biases that affect marginalized communities. The chorus reiterates that the loyalty and support that the artist receives from friends and family are reciprocated, and they continue to stand with them through thick and thin.
The song was released in 1999 as a part of the album "Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature’s Fury." The track features guest vocals from 3LW, a girl group that was popular at the time. The song was relatively well-received by critics and peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Line by Line Meaning
We're in the time where many doors are too hard to enter in
It's difficult to succeed in this world because of the barriers in our way.
And many people really ain't worth the mentionin'
A lot of people aren't worth acknowledging or giving attention to.
Thugs, me hugs, and plus a little gentle friend
I have friends from all walks of life: rough and tough, loyal, and kind.
Or the mentals if I wile I get antetion then
I also have friends who may be struggling with mental health issues and need extra support and attention.
Do my drama from court to case
I'm dealing with my own legal issues and struggles.
While others turn they back I turn my hate to faith
When people abandon me, I choose to have faith instead of hate.
that's why I'm here, but boo's, any place or date
I'm here for my friends and family, no matter where or when they need me.
If there's tear in my eyes you come to dry my face
My true friends are always there to comfort me and wipe away my tears.
Now that's deep, y'all turned from my fans to my friends
My fans have become my true friends over time.
After the past, I didn't think I could stand it again
I've been hurt in the past and didn't think I could handle it again.
On the streets, me and Miny wonderin' shall I kill
My friend and I contemplate violence and its consequences in the harsh realities of life on the streets.
I do for all, when will someone ask me how I feel?
I'm always there for others, but sometimes I wish someone would show me the same support.
Ladies, if you're down and my pics on you're wall
If you're feeling down, just listen to my music and it will lift you up.
Just pop in this song and won't let you fall
This song is meant to inspire and empower those who may be struggling.
To all my ladies, got ya letters and I love you to death
I appreciate all the support and love from my female fans.
Now I appreciate the breath that the dear lord left
I'm grateful for my life and my ability to make a difference through my music.
Why do I stand for my fam and put it down for my peeps?
I stand up for my family and friends and will do whatever it takes to support them.
(Oh, I like it)
This line is a chorus and doesn't have a specific meaning on its own.
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
I know my family and friends would have my back in the same way I have theirs.
With the kindness of people and most don't even know
There are many kind-hearted people in the world who go unnoticed.
'Cause this wilderness wasn't designed to see us grow
The world can be a harsh and unforgiving place that makes it difficult to thrive.
My thugs through the years who've always been true
I have friends who may be tough on the outside, but have always been loyal to me.
Just know that I take the bullet for you
I'm willing to take the blame or punishment for my friends if it means protecting them.
Life ain't livin' without givin', worth fryin' for lyin'
Life is all about giving to others, even if it means facing negative consequences for telling the truth.
Ain't jack for free, but I'm supplyin' if you're tryin'
Nothing in life comes for free, but I'm here to provide help and support if you're willing to put in the effort.
Have friends before the Benz, respect before a Lexus
I value the importance of friendship and respect above material possessions.
Mama's(Mama's) gave us life, but brotha's have to protect us(Protect us)
Mothers give birth to us, but it's our brothers and friends who have to protect us in the tough times of life.
Some wonder why I still got love
Some people wonder why I still have love and compassion for others despite all the hardships I've faced.
Why I still live in the hood, and why I still share grub
I choose to stay in my community and share what I have with others, despite the challenges.
Why I play with the kids, lose money on clubs
I enjoy spending time with children and supporting local businesses, even if it may cost me financially.
To keep my people off the streets and away from the slugs
I'm committed to making my community safer and helping others avoid violence and crime.
Sometimes rats run traps while our sista's get named
Sometimes women are unfairly blamed while others escape punishment for their wrongdoings.
Sometimes bitches do thangs, and our queens get blamed
Women are often judged more harshly than men and are unfairly labeled as problematic.
But I'm puttin' things on blast for my women and G's
I'm speaking out against injustices and advocating for women and gangsters.
'Cause you woulda done the same for me
I know my friends and supporters would do the same for me.
Where's my ladies who support and understand when
I'm looking for my female fans who offer support and understanding during difficult times.
Yeah I'm tired but I still gotta visit the pen
I may be exhausted, but I still make time to see my friends in prison and offer them support.
I appreciate you love the love I show them
I'm grateful for the love and support I receive for showing love and support to others.
Woulda want the same thing if I had to go in
I know my friends and fans would offer me the same love and support if I was in prison.
Lost the love of my life over stress and strife
I've experienced heartbreak because of the stress and struggles in my life.
If I couldn't care for me, I couldn't care for a wife
I know that I need to take care of myself before I can take care of a partner.
So I looked at the Lord and what he said was right
I turned to my faith and found comfort in the words of the Lord.
"there's obstacles but everything is gonna be alright"
The Lord reminds us that we will face obstacles, but everything will eventually be okay.
If you feelin' what I'm feelin', lay back and give me love
If you understand and relate to what I'm saying, show me your support and love.
So when you see me on the streets or clubs give me hug
When you see me in person, show me your support by giving me a hug.
To understand unity, you gotta understand we
To truly embrace unity, we need to understand that we're all in this together.
You and I, you and them, them and me, see
We need to recognize that we're all connected and should work together for a better tomorrow.
y'all did for me, now I'll bow for the royalty
My fans and supporters have done so much for me, and I'm forever grateful.
Just to know y'all is the love the loyalty
I'm thankful for the love and loyalty of my fans and supporters.
Behind every strong man there's a strong lady with 'em
Strong men are often supported by strong women in their lives.
Behind me I seem to have a whole nation of women
I'm lucky to have a large number of supportive and caring female fans in my life.
Why do I shout out all my women and adore my queens?
I celebrate and respect the women in my life and in society as a whole.
Why do I destroy anything that stops my teams dreams?
I'm determined to overcome anything that may hold my team back from achieving their goals.
Why do I see my people is and tell 'em what I see to be?
I speak out against injustices and try to raise awareness of the issues impacting my community.
'Cause they woulda done the same for me
I know my friends and supporters would do the same for me.
Oh, and I like it
This line is a chorus and doesn't have a specific meaning on its own.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VINCENT E BROWN, ELDRA DEBARGE, ELDRA P DE BARGE, WILLIAM DEBARGE, WILLIAM RANDALL DE BARGE, KEIR LAMONT GIST, ETTERLENE JORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind