Customer Reviews

Poverty's Paradise

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Albeit this is the only Naughty by Nature album with which I'm familiar, I found it one of the most enjoyable hip-hop albums I've encountered. The beats are incredible, enjoyable, but what distinguishes this cd from typical party music are the amazing lyrical acrobatics. I fully agree with the Amazon review: Treach and VinRock, beyond their impressive lyrical content and manipulation of phrases, enhance their poetics by deftly manipulating the language's sounds and accents, resulting in a flow in the truest sense of the word. Though the content varies from the social/political (World Goes Round, in my opinion the strongest all-round track, intelligent and bumping) to sexual (Sunshine) to classic we're-the-baddest-mcs (Clap Your Hands), their lyrical craft never fails. If anything, the strongest display of their lyrical abilities is Feel Me Flow, also their most light-hearted, upbeat, beach-rolling track.

I never expected to even own this album, but it's now become a staple in my collection.

Naughty by Nature's (Treach, Vinnie, Kay Gee) third album "Poverty's Paradise" (1995) is an banging underated release that still vibes very well many years later. Executive production comes from Naughty by Nature, Sha-Kim & Queen Latifah. Guest appearances come from Road Dawgs, Cruddy Click, Rottin Razkalz, Chriss Webber, Gordon Chambers. On the insert to the cd there is a comment I like from Treach which runs as "You could Leave the Ghetto, But the Ghetto Ain't Gonna Leave You. It's in you forever, If you keep in touch". The albums title track, is a one minute track which has Naughty by Nature reminding there fans that they will always remember there roots, and stay grounded, and that they will represent for those who dont get a voice out there. First tracks that standout for me are upbeat party tracks like "Clap Yo Hands" & "It's Workin" feat. Rottin Razkalz tracks which have nice choruses and are entertaining. On "Chain Remain" NBN goes deeper showing there social consciousness, talking about incarceration, and dropping lines like "Jails aint nothing but the slave day sequel". The lighter "Feel Me Flow" follows, a very nice laid back party track. "Craziest" has NBN showing love to people from city's from NJ to Boston. Another track follows in "Sunshine" which has an addictive beat, and is a track about showing love to the shortys, and getting laid. "World Goes Round" is a track about the youth, cops, media, and the streets. Naughty by Nature shows there harder side on "Klickow-Klickow" feat. Rottin Razkals, Cruddy Click, Road Dawgz while paying some respect to the oldschool. The albums longest track is the seven minute "Shout Out" feat. R&B singer Gordon Chambers a track by Naughty by Nature in which they thank the radio programmers, video shows, DJ and fans that supported there music and helped them make it, while also thanking individuals like Funkmaster Flex, DJ Premier, and many many more. I like this, never have seen a track where a group shows so much love to those who helped them make it and to other artists, while getting specific and being genuine. Next comes outro, which you would think would be closer, cept it isnt as the hardcore "Connections" closes the album off well. "Poverty's Paradise" has music to party to, music that makes you think, and music that goes deeper then the average. Beats, production and lyrics are all solid making this an album to have if you like Naughty by Nature like I do.

This is a high quality rap record full of banging beats and incredible rapping. If you don't own it you are missing out on some great hip hop.

If there was a group that was consistant in the early mid nineties, it would have to be the group Naughty By Nature. With many hits such as "O.P.P." and "Hip Hop Horay" under their belt, Naughty comes at their fans with their third album Poverty's Paradise. Trech's flow has always been amazing to listen to. When he is backed by Vinnie and producer Kay-Gee, you know you're going to have an awesome album.

The tracks that easily stood out to me was "Clap Yo Hands", "Sunshine", and "Connections". The latter is a bonus track that appears on this album. One great advantage that Naughty By Nature has is that they can create hooks that can be easily remembered to sing along, as in such case as in "Hang Out And Hustle", and the single "Feel Me Flow". Following the latter song, comes another single from this album, "Craziest with it's hook, ("[insert favorite city/state name] ****** are the craziest"). Naughty is also great on thought provoking tracks as well, such as "Chain Remains", dedicated to those who are locked up. "City Of Ci-Lo" and "Slang Bang" are both great as well. Naughty also gives numerous shoutouts to radio stations who played their music through the years on the seven minute "Shout Out".

The production here is great too. Not too much of it slips, but it goes great with the album. Some of the guest appearances are good, but of course Trech and Vinnie handle their business behind the mic.

Call it what you want, but Naughty came correct with their third album. This would also be their last great album that they made. Though they have had some rememerable singles down the road, they wern't as rememerable as the ones they've made between 1991-95. Albums like this make me miss the golden age of hip hop, and I for one would wish for a comeback (that includes Kay-Gee). Poverty's Paradise won't be Naughty By Nature's most remerable album, but it should be well respected. Peace.

Lyrics: A
Production: A-
Guest Appearances: A-
Musical Vibes: A+

Top 5 Tracks:
1. Feel Me Flow
2. Craziest
3. Connections (featuring Kandi Kane, Cruddy Click, and Road Dawgs)
4. Clap Yo Hands (featuring Road Dawgs)
5. Sunshine

Honorable Mention:
1. Hang Out And Hustle
2. Slang Bang
3. The Chain Remains

POVERTY'S PARADISE won a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. "Feel Me Flow" was nominated for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. East Orange, New Jersey's finest are back at it, destined to regain platinum status with their third effort, POVERTY'S PARADISE. Already responsible for such hip-hop classics as "O.P.P.," "Uptown Anthem" and "Hip-Hop Hooray," Naughty By Nature comes packed with some impressive attributes: Treach and Vinnie's unique lyrical styles, Kay Gee's distinct rhythmic beats, and a widespread appeal that is due largely to their ultra-catchy choruses and general pop sense. Each Naughty By Nature release inevitably delivers the hip-hop anthem of the year (see previous paragraph for examples), and on POVERTY'S PARADISE that distinction falls to "Craziest." Regularly leaving listeners in the dust, Treach remains one of the strongest vocalists in rap music on the strength of his tongue-twisting rhymes: "Wasn't driving too fast/I was flying too low/You think I'm rocking too quick/I think you listen to slow." And to all those who thought he may have been the weak part of the NBN equation, Vinnie's added flavor on "Clap Yo Hands" proves his skills to be quite worthy. DJ/producer extraodinaire Kay Gee is also in fine form, funking up "Sunshine" with a well-known Roy Ayers sample. But as the title implies, POVERTY'S PARADISE is not all about keeping the party going, and "Chain Remains," a laid-back groove that explores the misfortunes of a growing, incarcerated population, is a needed dose of reality. Filled with ghetto tales and guest appearances from fellow members of the Double I family (Rottin Razkals, Road Dawgs and others), the much anticipated release fulfills Naughty By Nature's dream of turning their poverty into paradise.

I am a Naughty fan and I like this CD but you cant stay on top forever and this Cd I beleive is when they started going down but I love the song Feel me flow and Craziest If you love Naught this is a must buy!!!