After numerous pushbacks, Naughty By Nature has finally managed to release the album that marks their 20th Anniversary in the Hip Hop game. If Run-DMC’s “Walk This Way” pairing with Aerosmith was the archetype for Hip Hop crossover appeal, Naughty By Nature’s “O.P.P.” was the perfect execution of that radical notion. More than a decade since Treach, Vin Rock and DJ Kay Gee released an album together (1999’s Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature’s Fury), the crew is back in full effect with Anthem Inc.
“Naughty Nation” 
is a jarring but exciting reintroduction to the New Jersey outfit. A consistent siren in the background evokes memories of Kill Bill, and ominous keys and low-end bass lay the ground for ferocious rhymes courtesy of Treach. Similarly heavy-handed is “I Gotta Lotta,” which continues to show off the darker side of Naughty By Nature: “I got a chip on my shoulder that Bill Gates ain’t make / I got a connect up in Harlem, got a great weight rate / Got a hotta enchilada got a hot tre’ eight / Heavy rocks in my rings that a quake can’t shake / …got an album, we wilin’ so we ride, don’t rest / Got kids, a gang of nigs I call ‘Tribe Called Treach’”
“Perfect Party” takes it back to the days of “Hip Hop Hooray” and “O.P.P.,” as Joe assists on a summertime anthem that reminds fans of just how versatile Naughty By Nature was. No, it doesn’t have the instant recognition afforded by a Jackson 5 sample, but that doesn’t mean this bad boy wouldn’t sound great with the top down in August. “Flags,” which has been out for nearly a year, is a touching take on the street life and its consequences. “Name Game” is overproduced, but is quickly forgotten due to the earnestness displayed on “God Is Us.” “Impeach the Planet” is worth spins for, in nothing else, what sounds like Treach’s take on Chuck D’s deliver, which actually works out pretty well.
The inclusion of such seminal hits as “Uptown Anthem,” “Hip Hop Hooray,” “O.P.P.,” and “Feel Me Flow” at the end of the album doesn’t feel like a money-grubbing inclusion, either. The tracks have been re-recorded, which serves as a reminder to fans of old, and as an introduction to ’90s babies that may have only heard of Treach when Eminem mentioned him at the 2003 Grammy Awards. It should be noted, though, that this was a missed opportunity to include live versions of the cuts, either from concerts or studio sessions. And one can’t help but think that the songs serve as a bit of a reminder that the new material doesn’t quite stack up the classics. Still, fans will get a kick out of picking out new elements from the reproduced joints, and the emcee’s idiosyncrasies that have evolved since the original recordings.
After two decades in the game, there’s absolutely nothing that Naughty By Nature has to prove to anyone. But the trio from Jersey elected to do it anyway by releasing this project. No, it won’t be remembered as their best LP, but this is a solid, well-executed reminder of all of the things Naughty By Nature deserves to get credit for, but never seemed to.
Treach and Naughty always been favorites of mine. Glad they back with some new stuff and it’s always good to hear the old.
Welcome back KayGee and long live Naughty By Nature!
I’m pleased to read a decent, respectful review. This album is easy to take pot-shots at. I think it’s well-made. Probably not my buying flavor, but the group is really consistent.
Saw them in concert last year. Still put on an amazing show. Still play the first album from time to time. Yoke the Joker.
Good review. I pretty much agree with everything there as well. A solid album. Treach still has it.
Slava does it again. Dope review.
a solid album is not good enough. there are to many so called solid albums.
face it Naughty is done and now desperate for money and trying to make a comeback
I don’t think they’re desparate for money.
i wanna hear a Treach solo album.
this is. Vinnie doesn’t rap.
it’s basically a solo album…one bystander, one dj & Treach!
First concert I eva went to when I was 15 was Naughty by Nature & 15 years later saw them again… didn’t disappoint, still on point!
May not be relevant to todays heads but they will always be pioneers for this cat!
Looking forward to peeping the new album from.. just another ghetto bastard!
For the sake that i am from NJ an Hip-Hop i will give this album a listen i mean shit they are the ppl that gave us Hip Hop hooray an O.P.P
CHECK OUT THE MUSIC
http://soundcloud.com/inevitable-success/sets/taste-of-success/
Its cute.
Look foward to hearing Naughty Nation, might be some HEAT!!!!
This album is almost perfect, glad to see them back! Their best work since Poverty’s Paradise. Hope there’s more ish coming.
4.5/5
It’s summer here in Aus and Anthem Inc. is just perfect for it. Really fun album that still keeps that early ’90s feel about it, but is still relevant also. Unpretentious and just what we needed.
perfect party joint is dope
it’s a classic album better than many cd out there. good music is good music. just didn’t have enough promotion. if naughty songs were played on the radio everyday like lil wayne or drake, mans people will appreciate the work and buy it.
3 STARS THATS IT . anything more is absurd
some of treachs rhymes sound stale and dated
but they legends
this a hot party joint naughty’s work is always brilliant hophip is alive fuck all you corny ass rappers with fake ass gimmicks
one word………FIRE”
http://tumblrsfinestnyc.tumblr.com
Shoot! This shit craaaaa
this is a great web site 2 inter act with my friends and family
Yo, lemme just say something. “Naughty Nation” and “I Gotta Lotta” are fuckin DISGUSTING. Those beats are so fuckin grimy and I swear, Treach could rip about 95% of emcees a new asshole. Treach is an incredible rapper. If more of the tracks had been like these two the album woulda been much much better. But it’s worth copping just for those two joints. “I Gotta Lotta” has a video I think…
BTW, Nineteen Naughty Three is a muthafuckin classic!!! Those beats are fuckin hard as fuck! Also, check out Treach’s verse on Celph Titled’s “Nineteen Ninety Now” album..
Great album.
Not feelin’ couple songs (Perfectly Party, Doozit), but overall actually very dope release.
Strong four stars.
Not worth of five stars, because of couple songs.
Perfect Parties a straight summer banger
I long waited and pleased my patient. Naughty
you out ya fuckin minds givin this 3.5 it shits on 99% of what you cornballs gave 4 n 5 stars to, straight slaughters garbage like BME n WTT
GUESS IF ITS NOT SOME POP BULLSHIT ITS NOT DOPE CHANGE YA NAME TO POPDX.COM COZ YOU CERTAINLY DONT REP HIP HOP!!!
Suprised its this good…
Treach one most underrated of all time