Naughty By Nature: Treach, Vinnie Brown.
Additional personnel includes: 3LW, Road Dawgs, Redman, Method Man, Pink, Rottin Razkals, Carl Thomas.
Producers include: Allstar, Griffin, WOK, DJ Twinz,
Against all odds, that salacious crew that declared itself "Down with O.P.P." back in the '80s managed to survive the ups and downs of the mercurial hip-hop world and make it into the 21st century. For those who only know Vinnie and Treach by that aforementioned Jacksons-sampling hit, IICONS may come as a bit of a revelation. While NBN still has the wild thing on its collective mind (as exemplified most effectively by "What You Wanna Do," to which Pink adds some sensuous crooning), there's more than unfettered carnality at work here.
From the complex imagery and polysyllabic rhyming of the opening title cut to the cutting sociological critique of "Let Me Find Out," Naughty By Nature displays an impressive lyrical facility for themes that reach beyond the call of booty. Incendiary guest shots from Redman, Method Man, Queen Latifah, and others help spice things up, making IICONS an impressive offering from these rap veterans.
What the critics say...
Rolling Stone (6/6/02, p.76) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...These versatile pros are in fine form....Treach and Vinnie come correct...in true Naughty fashion..."
Vibe (June 2002, p.154) - 2.5 out of 5 - "...Naughty By Nature can still create anthems with a shelf life....they return...enough to their signature blend of beguiling beats and tongue-in-cheek insights..."
