Uptown Anthem

Naughty by Nature

About Uptown Anthem

"Uptown Anthem" is a 1992 song by hip-hop group Naughty by Nature. It was made for the soundtrack for the movie Juice. NBN rapper Treach also had a cameo acting role in the movie. Rapper 2Pac is featured in the video. As well as NBN the soundtrack included songs from numerous other well-known hip-hop artists such as Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Too Short, Teddy Riley, EPMD, Salt-N-Pepa, and Cypress Hill. The song peaked at #27 on the Hot Rap Singles and #58 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. It was also included as the final track on later releases of the group's 1991 self-titled album Naughty by Nature. The song is especially notable for its chorus, which goes "We gonna break/We gonna bash/We gonna roll/We gonna smash" Jermaine Dupri sampled Uptown Anthem for the Jagged Edge track "Shady Girl" featured on the album Hard. Late Rapper Tupac Shakur sampled the song for his "Intro/Bomb First (My Second Reply)". The song appears in the 2016 video game Watch Dogs 2. 


Year:
1991
3:03
57 
#5

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Hey, you could smoke a spliff with a cliff
But there's still no mountain high enough, or wide enough to touch
The naughty nappy nasty nigga the nasty trashy hoe happy pappy
That's Happi to be Nappi
Me and Vin rock when spots hit flocks
And groups and troops with Timbo boots and jail suits
That's how I'm rollin my hair-do don't
Win I will I got wanting competition ain't dope
Beat ya break ya broke ya smoke ya take ya
Send you to your little group on mute, sooner or later
When want to flip, tell em full semi half with a dip
And all that other Ringling Brothers shit
Sporty naughty hi bye greater than nature while I
Shin slam the film filmg and then jam
You can run but you can't hide, you can't go far
No matter where you go, there you are

We gonna break, we gonna bash
We gonna roll, we gonna smash
We gonna break, we gonna bash
We gonna roll, we gonna smash

Here we go yo
Hit a nigga kill a nigga will come back
See a sucker stretch a sucker guard your naps
Cussing wasn't nothing til a black man rapped
See a forty suck a forty guess who's back

You're chilling with a Teddy filling villain
Stepping to the puny puddy punks catching fillings
I hit so many guts, call me gutter, I'm the bread and butter
Punk motherfucker I'll cut up, working from the gut up
Brand new steady, heavy as a Chevy
Ready for the piddy peddy, I'm Friddie Freddie
Place your bet on a vet, the three man threat
What you see is what you get

We gonna break, we gonna bash
We gonna roll, we gonna smash
We gonna break, we gonna bash
We gonna roll, we gonna smash

Coming round your corner with my uptown bunch
I bet your bottom dollar that you're bottom buck chumps
Give it up, it's a juice thing I'm stepping for the rep and
Wrecking all the rest and, weapon testing on who's stepping
Ain't no bluff for the niggy 'nough, for the rugged ruff stuff
Nigga if you're tough knuckle up
I'll cut your ass like class, then blast you by the trash
After I laugh then I'll dash
You can't handle the scandal of an uptown vandal
Shooting up your toes making sandals
Somebody told me that you owe me, but can't nobody hold me
I do my dirt all by my lonely

We gonna break, we gonna bash
We gonna roll, we gonna smash
We gonna break, we gonna bash
We gonna roll, we gonna smash

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Naughty by Nature

Naughty by Nature is a Grammy Award-winning American hip hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey that at the time of its get together in 1989 consisted of Treach, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee. They are known for being one of the few rap acts who were able to balance success on the pop charts with hardcore rap credibility. more »

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Written by: VINCENT E BROWN, ANTHONY SHAWN CRISS, KEIR GIST

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


20 facts about this song

Release Details
"Uptown Anthem" was released in 1991, as part of the 'Naughty by Nature' album, which was the second album from the American hip hop trio.
Group Members
Naughty by Nature consists of three members - Treach (Anthony Criss), Vin Rock (Vincent Brown), and the DJ Kay Gee (Keir Gist).
Key Contribution
DJ Kay Gee is recognized for the energetic and raw production that he provided for "Uptown Anthem".
Movie Inclusion
One of the interesting facts about "Uptown Anthem" is that it was featured in the 1992 film 'Juice' and was included in its soundtrack.
Chart Performance
In America, "Uptown Anthem" peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Music Video
The music video for "Uptown Anthem" featured a cameo from Tupac Shakur, who also starred in the movie 'Juice'.
Song Recognition
"Uptown Anthem" is widely recognized for its catchy lyrics and energetic beat, making it a classic amongst old school hip hop enthusiasts.
Style Representation
The song is representative of the hardcore rap style popular in the east coast during the early 90s.
Group Popularity
"Uptown Anthem" helped Naughty by Nature gain more recognition in the music industry and solidified their reputation among rap and hip hop audiences.
Legacy
"Uptown Anthem" is considered a staple in hip hop and continues to be played in various scenarios, including parties and sports events. It’s seen as a song that showcases the golden age of hip hop.
Release Details
"Uptown Anthem" is a song performed by American hip-hop trio Naughty by Nature. It was released in 1991 as part of the soundtrack for the movie "Juice" and as a track on their album "Naughty by Nature."
Music Genre
The song falls under the East Coast hip hop subgenre, showcasing the scene and style of this region during the early 1990s.
Film Inclusion
While the song was included in the movie "Juice," it's also prominently featured in the film's official trailer, providing a sonic backdrop for the film's intense and gritty urban scenes.
Chart Performance
"Uptown Anthem" peaked at #27 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, showcasing the song's popularity and reception.
Group Membership
The members of Naughty by Nature during the time of the track's release were Treach (Anthony Criss), Vin Rock (Vincent Brown), and DJ Kay Gee (Keir Lamont Gist).
Production Credit
"Uptown Anthem" was produced by the band's own member, DJ Kay Gee. His production style is recognized as a definitive sound of early '90s hip-hop, characterized by hard-hitting drum tracks, and catchy hooks.
Influence on Culture
The song represents an optimistic and defiant view of urban life during a time when hip-hop was increasingly tackling social issues. The band's street-wise philosophies and vibrant energy struck a chord with fans, making "Uptown Anthem" an emblematic track of 1990s hip-hop culture.
Music Video
The music video for "Uptown Anthem" includes scenes shot in New York City and features a cameo appearance by rapper Tupac Shakur, who starred in the "Juice" movie.
Tupac Shakur Connection
Interestingly, the song is linked to a pivotal moment in Tupac Shakur's life. Reportedly, he assaulted a fellow artist at a release party for the "Juice" soundtrack, which led to his subsequent imprisonment. The event took place on the same day that the "Uptown Anthem" video was filmed.
Continual Relevance
Even today, "Uptown Anthem" is frequently sampled and referenced in contemporary hip-hop. Its energetic feel and memorable lines have helped it remain a classic of its genre.

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