Naughty by Nature pulled off what most couldn’t—massive pop hits without losing an ounce of street cred. Formed in East Orange, NJ by three high school friends, the group started out playing talent shows as New Style before catching the right ears and signing with Tommy Boy Records. Their 1991 breakout single “O.P.P.” lit up the charts with its undeniable hook and slyly explicit acronym celebrating infidelity, turning them into crossover stars almost overnight. But behind the radio shine was real grit. Treach’s razor-sharp flow (still gets me amped every time I hear it), the group’s raw production, and a deep lyrical storytelling ethos that spoke directly to the hardcore hip-hop underground.
Standout Songs: “O.P.P.”, “Yoke The Joker”, “Pin The Tail on the Donkey”
