O.P.P.- Naughty By Nature | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#6) and R&B (#5); 1991 

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

With O.P.P., Naughty By Nature laid down a blueprint for creating crossover hip-hop pop sellers in the 1990’s: releasing catchy pop singles while maintaining street credibility with hardcore fans.

Vinnie Brown, and Kay-Gee (Keir Gist) got their start as New Style while attending the same high school in East Orange, NJ. With Treach (Anthony Criss) on board, the boys rechristened themselves Naughty By Nature.

Catching their act at a talent show, Queen Latifah signed them to her management company and paved the way for a record deal. O.P.P. – allegedly standing for “other people’s property” – sampled The Jackson 5’s ABC, yet, NBN’s take on the subject of young love was decidedly less naive. Careful listening reveals that the second “P” really means “privates.”

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

  • Naughty by Nature

Lyrics Written by:

  • Vincent Brown
  • Anthony Criss
  • Keir Gist
  • The Corporation
  • Herb Rooney

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Ed Osborne

Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).