V: Right, we stay true to ourselves. All the nonsense going on today, a lot of people won’t get with. People are sick of some of the new music. I’m not feelin’ the new material today because every age group has their own genre of music. I grew up in an era that was about flavor and creativity – not just about bragging and money.
S: You’re not just musicians, but also entrepreneurs capable of creating in many different areas. I remember Vinny starting a store, Treach getting into movies, and you were helming an innovative record label. Is that why ya’ll went your separate ways? K: Exactly. That was always the plan. At the end of the day as an individual and as a grown up, you have to understand that ultimately at some point you will grow apart.
S: In reuniting, is it the same integrity? I talk to many artists from back in the day who are trying to keep up with today’s times to the point where they sound stupid. I mean, if Naughty By Nature does Naughty By Nature, I’m a big fan. I am downloading that, fo sho, fo sho. V: The golden era when we were coming up was all about creativity and being competitive. Rappers didn’t want to get involved with rap just for the paycheck, but they looked at it as an art. Artists had a passion to compete with another lyricist in the same way as DJs, break dancers, and graffiti artists did during that time. It wasn’t all about money because the genre wasn’t that big yet, and it wasn’t that financially beneficial. Now it’s like everybody is in it to grab a check. It shows in the music and the culture, causing a lot of fans to become disinterested. K: Hip hop is a young man’s game. You must maintain your own integrity, but allow yourself to step out of your character of yesterday. Grow some new skin. I have a lot of nieces and nephews who keep me out there. I’m around it everyday so I know what’s going on.
S: Entrepreneurship has always been symbiotic for you three. K: Three people with strong minds and creative ideas are always going to be better than one. We were one of the first rap groups to have a clothing line called “Naughty Gear” back in the 90s. V: That was another thing about the “golden era,” a lot of creativity went into your merchandising and branding.
It wasn’t necessarily about what it would
evolve into, but more to show unity and organization for our own internal crew.
S: Brand integrity. I get your core being, but dig on the nuances of your evolved personality. K: Exactly, Scrappy! Look at LL Cool J. That’s it, bottom line. He evolves with the times, but never jeopardizes his brand – and that’s how he stays relevant.
www.NaughtyByNature.com.
S: When you busted out O.P.P, “Other People’s Property,” you glamorized cheating on your chick. But somehow, no one was mad ‘atcha because you rapped about it with a big ole smile on your face! V: We’re that troublemaker in school that the teacher can never get mad at… K: And we flipped the script on joints like “Jamboree” and “Hip Hop Hooray.” How can you possibly get upset, or take us too seriously, when all we want to do is drink, party and get down with the homies?!
S: Keepin it real though, ya boy Treach, especially in that movie Juice, comes off a bit scary and detached. Then I met him and realized he’s just another artist making cake, and slightly surprised that he’s doing it during our genre’s golden era. He’s more like a kid in a candy store than a thug. K: He is a strong willed, consummate artist, preoccupied with doing it right and so serious that he is sometimes misunderstood. He’s our front man and a guiding force of energy.
S: I actually bumped into the three of you in Manhattan once, back in the day. I was a newspaper boy and ya’ll were decked out in your matching navy Adidas sweats, doing street marketing. I only remember because of your long hair, Kaygee! V: (laughing) Yeah…that was before we had a hit record! We always took our image to heart. Run DMC had the hats and leather jackets. We had the kicks and the sweats. And shortly thereafter, Naughty Gear, reflecting our complementary, dual vibe of fun and street.
S: Your logo is ill. Where can I find one of your
t-shirts these days? V: Everything is available on our website.
S: Three super dope dudes who simultaneously invent, collaborate, individualize and evolve without ever compromising their character. Much respect! You’re my freaking role models, a microcosm of what every enterprise should be. K: Damn, Scrappy! Thank you! We definitely try. If it’s not right, we’re not going to do it… but we’re always going to put our best foot forward and try. Love it or leave it, baby!!
S: Jersey’s in the house! V: You know it.
Scrappy, Southwest Florida’s highest rated DJ, can be heard every afternoon from 3-6pm on 105.5 The Beat.
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