Naughty By Nature

Lyrics

[Intro: Treach]
Arm me with harmony
Dave, drop a load on 'em

[Verse 1: Treach]
O.P.P., how can I explain it? I'll take it, frame by frame it
To have y'all all jumpin', shoutin', sayin' it
O is for "other," P is for "people," scratch your temple
The last P, well, that's not that simple, huh
It's sort of like, oh well, another way to call a cat a kitten
It's five little letters that are missing here
You get it on occasion if the other party isn't gaming
It seems I gotta start the explaining, bust it
You ever had a girl and met her on a nice hello?
You get her name and number, then left feeling real mellow
You get home, wait a day, she's what you wanna know about
Then you call up and it's her girlfriend's or her cousin's house?
It's not a front, an F to the R to the O to the N to the T
It's just her boyfriend's at her house (Oh, that's why she's scary)
It's O.P.P. time, other people's, but you get it
There's no room for relationships, there's just room to hit it
How many brothers out there know just what I'm getting at?
Who think it's wrong 'cause I was splitting and co-hitting that?
Well, if you do, that's O.P.P., and you're not down with it
But if you don't, here's your membership
[Chorus]
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
Who's down with O.P.P.? (Every last homie)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
Who's down with O.P.P.? (All the homies)

[Verse 2: Treach]
Well, for the ladies, O.P.P. means something gifted
The first two letters the same, but the last is something different
It's the longest, loveliest, lean, I call it the leanest
It's another five-letter word rhyming with "cleanest" or "meanest"
I won't get into that, I'll do it, uh, sort of properly
I'll say the last P, hmm, stands for "property"
Now lady, here comes a kiss
Blow a kiss back to me, now tell me exactly
Have you ever known a brother who had another like a girl or wife?
And you just had to stop a toast 'cause he looked just that nice?
You looked at him, he looked at you, and you knew right away
He had someone, but he was gonna be yours anyway
You couldn't be seen with him at all and still you didn't care
'Cause in a room behind a door, no one but y'all are there
When y'all are finished, y'all can leave and only y'all would know
And y'all could throw that skeleton bone right in the closet door
Now don't be shy, 'cause if you're down, I want your hands up high
Say O.P.P. (O.P.P.), I like to say with pride
Now when you do it, do it well and make sure that it counts
You're now down with a discount
[Chorus]
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
Who's down with O.P.P.? (Every last lady)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
Who's down with O.P.P.? (All the ladies)

[Verse 3: Treach]
A scab tried to O.P.P. me, I had a girl and she knew that
Matter fact, her and my girl was partners that
Had a fall-out, disagreement, yeah, an argument
She tried to do me, so we did it in my apartment, bust it
That wasn't the thing, it must've been the way she hit the ceiling
'Cause after that she kept on coming back and catching feelings
I said, "Let's go, my girl is coming, so you gotta leave"
She said, "Oh no, I love you, Treach," I said, "Now, child, please
You gots to leave, come grab your coat right now, you gotta go"
I said, "Now look, you choose the stairs or choose the stair window
This was a fling, a little thing you shouldn't have brought your heart
'Cause you know I was O.P.P., hell, from the very start"
Come on, come on, now let me tell you what it's all about
When you get down, you can't go 'round runnin' off at the mouth
That's rule number one in this O.P.P. establishment
You keep your mouth shut and it won't get back to her or him
Exciting, isn't it? A special kinda business
Many of you will catch the same sorta O.P.P. messing with
Him or her, for sure, I'm going to admit it
When O.P.P. comes, damn skippy, I'm with it
[Chorus]
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
Who's down with O.P.P.? (This whole party)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
You down with O.P.P.? (Yeah, you know me)
Who's down with O.P.P.? (This whole party)

[Outro: Treach]
Break it down

Hey there music lovers! Today, we're going to dive into the infectious world of one of the most iconic hip-hop anthems of the 90s - O.P.P. by Naughty By Nature. This lively track took the airwaves by storm, capturing the hearts and minds of fans across the nation. So, grab your headphones and let's explore the fascinating journey of this cheater's anthem turned cultural phenomenon.

About O.P.P.

Before they became known as Naughty By Nature, the talented trio of Tony "Double T Treachery" Criss, Kier "Kay Gee" Gist, and "Vinnie Rock" Brown formed a group called The New Style in 1989. During this time, Criss stumbled upon a local gangster's epigram - "I'm down with O.P.M., other people's money" - which sparked the inspiration for what would later become the now-famous O.P.P.

Years of creativity and refinement led Criss to develop the catchy and memorable verses that have ingrained themselves in the minds of fans. Drawing on gender balance, Naughty By Nature ensured there was something for everyone, cleverly expressing the theme of pussy and penis in a more radio-friendly manner as "property."

The New Style began performing O.P.P. live, and the response from the audiences was nothing short of electric. The call and response element of the song made it an instant hit with crowds, signaling that the group had stumbled upon something truly special.

After a change of name to Naughty By Nature, the group signed with Tommy Boy Records, who released O.P.P. as their debut single. The journey to success wasn't without its roadblocks, though. Initially, larger New York radio stations hesitated to play the song. Determined to get their music out there, Tommy Boy launched a campaign focusing on pop-crossover stations, leveraging their love for Michael Jackson's music as he was sampled in O.P.P. Simultaneously, the song's video became a sensation on the show The Box, where viewers would call in their requests via a 900 number.

As fate would have it, all these efforts paid off tremendously. O.P.P. began gaining nationwide popularity, eventually ascending the pop charts to reach an impressive #6 spot in late 1991. The catchphrase "Down Wit' O.P.P." turned into a national craze, starting with stickers and quickly expanding to t-shirts and various other merchandise.

Picture yourself waking up on a sunny Saturday morning, flipping on the television, and witnessing the surprise of a lifetime. The Box kicks off its new video lineup, and what do you see? O.P.P., played not once, not twice, but back-to-back, dominating the airwaves. This level of exposure helped solidify O.P.P.'s reign and further cemented Naughty By Nature's place in the music world.

O.P.P. wasn't merely a catchy tune, though. It had a pulsating beat and an irresistible energy that permeated through each note, leaving listeners unable to resist the urge to tap their feet and bob their heads. Naughty By Nature crafted a masterpiece that seamlessly blended their lyrical prowess, unforgettable melody, and dynamic chemistry as a group.

The song's success can also be attributed to its clever sampling of Jackson 5's "ABC" and The Jacksons' "ABC" remix, which added a nostalgic twist for fans of the legendary pop group. By paying homage to musical icons and infusing it with their unique style, Naughty By Nature crafted a track that bridged gaps between generations and musical genres.

O.P.P. wasn't just a one-hit-wonder. It left an indelible mark on popular culture, becoming an anthem for the unapologetically rebellious, the free-spirited souls who embraced life's little deviations from the norm. With its infectious chorus and straight-talking verses, the song became a staple at parties and dance floors, uniting people in their love for good music and carefree self-expression.

In closing, O.P.P. serves as a prime example of the power of an irresistibly catchy song that captures the spirit of an era. Naughty By Nature created a timeless classic that transcended boundaries and enchanted listeners across the nation. Whether you were enjoying it on the radio, passionately singing along at live shows, or indulging in the love for the phrase "Down Wit' O.P.P.," this iconic track holds a special place in the hearts of music enthusiasts. So, turn up the volume, let the rhythm take over, and let O.P.P. transport you back to a time when hip-hop ruled the airwaves.

• Release Date: August 24, 1991
• Artist: Naughty By Nature