All articles with headlines that include "for the Pughkeepsie Journal" are unedited. They were put through rounds of editing before going to publication. This is the article as I wrote it.
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
Tearing up Billboard and R&B/Hip Hop Charts since 1991, Naughty by Nature has been dubbed the “Kings of the Anthem.” Uninterested in abdicating their throne, the hip hop trio is releasing a new album and playing a string of “Legends of Hip Hop” shows in the upcoming weeks.
On Saturday September 12, 2009, accompanied by Coolio, Tone-Loc and Rob Base, Naughty by Nature will take the stage at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center with its original lineup: Treatch, Vinnie, and DJ Kaygee.
The group met at East Orange High School in East Orange, New Jersey in the 1980s. The three grew up in what they consider “the hood,” and were surrounded by the hip-hop lifestyle.
For Naughty by Nature, music evolved from a hobby to a career when their original act was discovered by rapper/producer Queen Latifa at a high school talent show. After being signed to Latifa’s label, Tommy Boy Records, they released their self-titled debut album in 1991… it was certified platinum by ’92.
The group did not expect sudden success and certainly never anticipated making a living out of music.
“I never anticipated making music for a living… I’m a hobbyist,” said Vinnie. “I got involved through things like beat-boxing and break-dancing. When it came time for music we all got together for a talent show and It went over so well that it was the challenge of our high school peers saying we couldn’t make it as a band that really got me involved in music and the challenge of being successful.”
Although the trio toured together for years, they have worked on personal projects as well. DJ Kaygee has not recorded with the band since their ‘99 album Nineteen Naughty Nine. He has instead been concentrating on the production end of the music industry for artists like Zhane, Notorious B.I.G. and Luther Vanross.
Treatch has split concentration between hip-hop and film acting and Vinnie has been concentrating on business ventures like the Naughty by Nature merchandise store and a new mobile device by Windows. He considers himself the “Russell Simmons” of the band. Regardless of Kay Gee’s absence, Treatch and Vinnie have never stopped touring together.
“We tour every month of the year…. Some months are lighter than others but basically we tour all year,” said Vinnie.
Naughty by Nature is accompanying their “Legends of Hip Hop” tour with the release of a new record called Anthem Inc. this fall. Like the tour, this will be the group’s first endeavor since 1999 with Treatch, Vinnie, and DJ Kaygee contributing. Although singles like “Get to Know Me Better” give off an edgier vibe than their early ‘90’s party hits, Kaygee assured that the new sound is simply a product of creativity and evolving production techniques.
Vinnie agreed by stating that “With music and being creative you can’t get boxed into one shell. Being creative is about doing something that you feel comfortable with… something you should try to attack…”
Although the members of Naughty by Nature never expected their lives o pan out the ways that they did, their September 12 “Legends of Hip Hop” show at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center will certainly be a milestone for the hobbyists turned seasoned-veterans.
“This was a hobby turned career turned… your peers and fans calling you “legends…,” said Vinnie. “It’s something we never anticipated and something that we never called ourselves. It’s just an accolade that I guess was earned and put upon us by the people.”
This article was written for a concert that was canceled two days beforehand.
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