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Buy "Iicons"
Ya down with O.P.P., yeah you know
me!" Who wasn't down with "O.P.P." in the early '90s? Who didn't
"Hip Hop Hooray" in the clubs waving their hands to and fro Naughty-style?
Even those who weren't born when Naughty By Nature stormed out of East Orange,
NJ onto the world stage know their songs word for word. Everybody was down
with O.P.P., your grandmother, your teachers and even your pastor knew all
the words, although they probably wouldn't admit it. "O.P.P," "Hip-Hop Hooray,"
"Ghetto Bastard," "Jamboree," "Uptown Anthem," and "Feel Me Flow," were more
than just infectious, chart topping party anthems, these records helped mark
and shape the beginning of a unified Hip-Hop Nation.
Since the early '90's, Naughty By Nature (NBN) has created chart-topping party
anthems that have dominated Rap, Pop, and R&B charts, all the while staying
true to hip-hop. Hip-hop is notorious for short-lived careers, big singles,
and one-hit wonders, Naughty By Nature, however, is the exception. The group
exploded on the scene during the summer of 1991 with "O.P.P." and "Everything's
Gonna Be Alright" from their self-titled debut, Naughty by Nature. Their second
album, 19 Naughty III (1993) featured another crossover smash, "Hip Hop Hooray,"
which rivaled "O.P.P." as the national catchphrase of the early '90s. Their
previously released albums: Naughty By Nature (1991 - platinum), 19 Naughty
III (1993 - platinum), Poverty's Paradise (1995 - gold), and 19 Naughty IX:
Nature's Fury (1999 - gold) have sold over 4 million copies combined. Naughty
has received the following accolades in their 10 year career: Grammy
Award for Best Rap Album, Poverty's Paradise; American Music Award for Best
New Rap Group and a Source Award for New Artist of the Year.
After a two-year hiatus, the international superstars are back and ready to
make fans 'feel good' again with their new album, iicons, to be released on
Naughty/TVT Records. Vinnie and Treach (producer Kay Gee is no longer
with the group) have emerged stronger than ever after working with a new stable
of producers for this album. "It's a Naughty record from start to finish.
It's still our formula. We chose producers who we felt could keep our
music gritty and street, while at the same time make music that will be able
to move hip-hop fans around the world," offers Treach.
As pioneers of party anthems and hip-hop that makes you feel good, it's appropriate
that "Feels Good (Don't Worry Bout A Thing)" featuring 3LW produced by Allstar
was chosen as the first single for the album. "The new album promises to deliver
fresh party anthem songs that Naughty is known for. We definitely have
some club bangas on this for our fans who like the catchy hooks," says Vinnie.
Method Man & Redman get us ready for the clubs with the adrenaline laced
"Rock N' Roll," and Rottin Raskalz, (Naughty By Nature protégés) keep us
there on the rabble-rousing "Rah Rah" both produced by Griff & WOK.
While you're on your way to the next spot, ride along with Rottin Raskalz
on "NJ to LA," and soon you'll be humming the sing-songy "Red Light" featuring
Queen Latifah and "Swing Swang" both produced by Allstar. Just as you're
about to party-hop to the next dance floor, Icarus (Redman's artist) keeps
you transplanted with "Ashes To Ashes" produced by DJ Twinz. OK, it's
time to go, but you can figure out where you're headed next, so Pink helps
you decide on the flirtatious and naughty "What U Wanna Do." When you're ready
to mellow out, Carl Thomas smoothes it out on the laid-back and fluid Beatminerz
produced, "Naughty By Nature."
In addition to his lyrical skills and modeling career, Treach has emerged
as one of Hollywood's favorite young actors. He's garnered critical acclaim
for his roles in Jason's Lyric, HBO's prison drama, OZ, First Time Felon (HBO
original film) and television's New York Undercover. His acting career
began in 1990 when his friend, the late Tupac Shakur helped him land a part
in Juice. Since his role in Juice, Treach's acting range and roles have expanded
beyond the typical "rapper in a movie" stereotype. "A lot of casting
directors just see me as being hardcore and street," Treach explains "but
I make sure that I play different roles each time so I don't get typecast."
While music remains Treach's first love, acting excites him. "With acting
I have to get out of my body and not be Treach. I have to be someone else
and it's cool to make that transition."
The Hollywood buzz on his pivotal performance in his first lead role in Sony/Screen
Gem Picture, Love And A Bullet has definitely made Treach one to watch for.
Two of his films Empire co-starring John Leguizamo and Face, an independent
film have both been accepted into the Sundance Film Festival. Treach co-stars
with Danny Glover in Spike Lee produced 3 A.M.; and with Omar Epps, Dana Delany,
and Charles S. Dutton on Showtime's Conviction. While Treach continues
to take Hollywood by storm, he continues to co-host the syndicated television
show The Source All-Access and has a recurring role on Showtime's Soul Food
and HBO's new series Baseball Wives.
As international superstars, Naughty By Nature's celebrity status has taken
them all around the world, yet their commitment to young people has remained
steadfast. Vinnie Brown, the creative and marketing wiz of the group,
has grown into an amazing public advocate. His dedication to the empowerment
of young people has been unwavering. Over the past year, he's worked
directly with the Mayor of his home city, East Orange, NJ to take his message
of empowerment to high schools. In conjunction with the East Orange
School district, Vinnie is working on implementing a comprehensive district-wide
multimedia/communications program to train young people to create television
programs on local access cable channels. Whether the topic is career development,
sex, family or community, Vinnie's goal is to use his celebrity to create
a safe place for kids to talk about and resolve issues. His passion to do
his part in the fight against AIDS has spearheaded Naughty By Nature's involvement
in various AIDS related events including the AIDS Dance-a-thon's in New York
and San Francisco. Treach is also a huge supporter of the Black United Fund,
an organization that raises money to support Black American organizations
that promote opportunity, growth and change. Through their celebrity,
Vinnie and Treach hope to set examples that fame means more than having a
nice ride, it's also about being responsible to your community. Vinnie
notes, "It's not just about the riches, it's got to be about what you plan
to do with your life and how you can use your influence and experience to
help someone else."
Naughty By Nature has dominated the Rap, Pop, and R&B charts all the while
staying true to real Hip-Hop and to themselves. As hip-hop's icons celebrate
their 10th year anniversary with their forthcoming album, iicons, Naughty
fans can rest assured that everything's gonna be alright now that Naughty's
back.
