Naughty 25
Coming from East Orange, New Jersey, Treach, Vinnie and DJ Kay Gee aka Naughty By Nature, are one of the DOPEST hip hop groups of all time. Treach is the frontman of the group and he’s one of my favorite voices in hip hop. He has that kinda voice that perfectly matches the sounds that you hear when you listen to a Naughty joint. His delivery on the mic is incredible too, very swift and powerful, it’s like watching a Muhammad Ali fight. Without his voice, Naughty records wouldn’t be the same. Then there’s Vinnie or Vin Rock. His energy in the group reminds me of what Phife Dawg has with Q-Tip, what Spliff Star has with Busta Rhymes and what DMC has with Run, it’s that perfect yin and yang thing that works in hip hop and then there’s DJ Kay Gee. Kay Gee is the DJ and producer of the group. His production skills is the perfect sound for the East Orange natives, the sound that reflects who they are and where they come from. That sound you hear that’s hard with DJ scratches and those hard to figure out samples that you don’t know if you’re not familiar with them. Also, he’s very cool, quiet and laid back, he reminds me of Ali Shaheed Muhammad. They’re mostly recognized for their hit “O.P.P.” which comes from their self titled album released on this day 25 years ago. I remember hearing this album all the way through for the first time ever and never skipped a track on this album. The entire album is a banger from beginning to end. The album starts off with a joint called “Yoke the Joker.” A hard but kinda smooth joint with the Queen Latifah loop, the next joint “Wickedest Man Alive” features Queen Latifah, whose another New Jersey native and a legendary female MC. I like the hook on this joint, it was catchy and almost sounds like a reggae joint. The next joint “O.P.P.”, is the first single released from this album and the third joint on the album. They say there’s a charm and this song is definitely one of their best and what makes people remember who they are the most. This song to me has one of the catchiest hooks ever in hip hop history and it’s even better with that ABC, 123 Jackson 5 sample and the music video had a party vibe where everyone came out to have a good time. The next joint “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” is the fourth joint on the album but the second single released from this album but if you have the uncensored version on the album, the CD says “Ghetto Bastard.” Makes me happy and feel like a true hip hop fan to have the uncensored version. LOL! I like this joint mostly because of the beat, it’s hard to not wanna nod your head or get up and do the wop real quick. The next joint “Let the Ho’s Go” is my favorite on the album because of the Run-D.M.C. “Peter Piper” sample loop and the beat is something I never heard before. “Everyday All Day” is a more laid back joint, it’s a joint you play in the car when you’re cruising on a beautiful afternoon during the spring and summer but Treach is still killing with the delivery. “Guard Your Grill” has a very funny intermission in the beginning with a random dude with a British accent and then when the beat drops, it’s another hardcore joint. Damn, I really wish I knew how to rap though, I would learn from Treach. “Pin the Tail On the Donkey” is my second favorite joint on the album and to me it almost sounds like a song for Young MC or Tone Lōc too. The beat is also something different to me too and the “Go!” chants make you wanna busta move on the dance floor, shit I definitely would. LMAO!! The ninth joint “1, 2, 3” is also another laid back joint and the Eazy E and Dr. Dre loop on the hook is dope. Honorable mentions to both Apache and Lakim Shabazz who appear on this joint. “Strike a Nerve” is a joint that starts with an intermission where they get harassed by cops for playing music but then of course, in classic Naughty fashion, the beat drops and it’s in your face. It’s an in-your-face joint about frustration spending a day in the hood and Vinnie finally spits on this joint. He did his thing on that one. “Rhyme’ll Shine On” had those piano sounds over that Rakim “I Know You Got Soul” beat but a little slowed down and sing along hook where you “clap your hands, just feel it” and say it’s alright! “Thankx for Sleepwalking” starts off with Treach calling Vinnie out for not being dressed, it’s kinda funny and then another laid back joint drops. The piano sounds on the beat almost reminds me of Christmas time, I don’t know why. LOL! And finally the album ends the same way the classic movie “Juice” ends, with “Uptown Anthem.” This joint is the final single released from this album and it’s another one of my favorite Naughty joints. I wasn’t alive when this joint dropped 25 years ago because I was born three years later but when I listen to this album and watch the music videos it still feels like the 90’s, a time when hip hop was so dope. If you’re a true hip hop fan, you’ll definitely enjoy this classic and of course if you’re from New Jersey you should definitely know about this. Classic material like this never gets old, it’s a timeless classic.