Anthony Criss (born December 2, 1970), better known by his stage name Treach, is an American rapper and actor. He is perhaps best known as the lead rapper of the
hip hop group
Naughty by Nature.
Career
With
Naughty by Nature, Treach worked with fellow group members Vin Rock and DJ Kay Gee. Sometimes he shared verses on songs with Vin Rock, but often, especially on the group's earlier albums, Treach was the sole performer on the song. Examples of this are some of the group's most well-known singles from their self-titled second album, such as "
O.P.P." and "
Ghetto Bastard".
Treach's physique
has helped him land roles in crime films, television crime dramas and as a leading man in romance films, including in the 2001 crime comedy ''
Love and a Bullet
''Love and a Bullet'' is a 2002 action film starring American rapper Treach of Naughty by Nature. It was released to theaters on August 30, 2002 and was directed by Ben Ramsey and Kantz.
Plot
While staking out his next assignment, the innocent g ...
'', in which he has
full-frontal nude scenes.
Personal life
Treach is the older brother of Diesel, who is also a rapper and who is a member of the
Rottin Razkals
The Rottin Razkals were an American hip hop group signed to Motown Records' sub-label, Mad Sounds Recordings. Composed of three members, Chap, Fam, and Diesel (Treach's younger brother), the group was closely associated with Naughty by Nature, fi ...
, a group closely affiliated with Naughty by Nature.
Treach had a close friendship with rapper
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur ( ; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper. He is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. Shakur is among the Li ...
. They collaborated on Shakur's song "5 Deadly Venomz" and Treach appeared in his music video "
Temptations
The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 1 ...
."
Marriages
Treach was married to
Sandra Denton
Sandra Jacqueline Denton (born 9 November 1964 or 1969), better known by her stage name Pepa or Pep, is a Jamaican-American rapper, best known for her work as a member of the female rap trio Salt-N-Pepa. Denton starred in ''The Salt-N-Pepa Show' ...
, better known as Pepa of the hip hop group
Salt-n-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa (also stylized as Salt 'N' Pepa or Salt 'N Pepa) is an American hip-hop group formed in New York City in 1985, that comprised Salt (Cheryl James), Pepa (Sandra Denton), and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper). Their debut album, ''Hot, C ...
, from July 1999 until 2001. The couple had one daughter, Egypt Jahnari Criss (born September 2, 1998). Denton documented the marriage in her 2008 memoir ''Let's Talk About Pepa'', which included allegations of abuse. In April 2017, Treach responded on
Instagram
Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. The app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized by hashtags and geographical tagging. Posts can ...
, saying they were all false.
According to
VH1, Treach has been with his common-law wife Cicely Evans for the last ten years. They have two children together. The couple starred on season 5 of ''
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy (also couples' counseling, marriage counseling, or marriage therapy) attempts to improve romantic relationships and resolve interpersonal conflicts.
History
Marriage counseling originated in Germany in the 1920s as part of the eu ...
'' on VH1 in 2014. Treach and Cicely Evans married on September 8, 2019, in New Jersey.
Legal issues
Treach was arrested in
Union City, New Jersey
Union City is a city in the northern part of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. According to the 2020 United States Census the city had a total population of 68,589,[Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV engineered and manufactured by General Motors. It was Cadillac's first major entry into the SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to competition from the Merced ...]
at 55 miles per hour in a 25-mile per hour zone and attempted to elude law enforcement officers after being given a signal to stop, leading them on a high-speed chase for nine blocks before stopping. He then left his vehicle and ran towards the police car; the officers drew their weapons and ordered him to return to his vehicle. Treach later complied with the officers' orders and was cited for reckless driving, speeding and driving with a suspended license. Officers also found there was a warrant for his arrest out of
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is located in the northeastern part of New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the county's population was 863,728, making it the state's second-most populous county, behind Bergen and Middlesex Counties. for failing to appear at a hearing related to child support, and warrants out of Union City and
Secaucus, New Jersey
Secaucus ( ) is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, the town's population was 16,264,[Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the second-most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey, after Newark.][Hudson County
Hudson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It lies west of the lower Hudson River, which was named for Henry Hudson, the sea captain who explored the area in 1609. Part of New Jersey's Gateway Region in ...]
jail in
Kearny before being released after posting $15,000 bail.
Discography
;Studio albums
* ''
Independent Leaders'' (1989)
* ''
Naughty by Nature'' (1991)
* ''
19 Naughty III
''19 Naughty III'' is the third album from Naughty by Nature, released on February 23, 1993, through Tommy Boy Records. Recording sessions took place at Unique Recording Studios, Soundtrack Studios and Electric Lady Studios in New York City fr ...
'' (1993)
* ''
Poverty's Paradise
''Poverty's Paradise'' is the fourth album from Naughty by Nature, released on May 30, 1995, as their final album under Tommy Boy Records. It peaked at number 3 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. A single relea ...
'' (1995)
* ''
Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature's Fury'' (1999)
* ''
IIcons
''IIcons'' is the sixth studio album by American hip hop group Naughty by Nature. It was released on May 7, 2002 on TVT Records. Production was handled by Naughty by Nature, Da Beatminerz, DJ Twinz and Lil' Jon. It features guest appearances from ...
'' (2002)
* ''
Anthem Inc.
Elevance Health, Inc. is an American health insurance provider. The company's services include medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, long-term care, and disability plans through affiliated companies such as Anthem Blue Cross and ...
'' (2011)
Filmography
Film
Television
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
1970 births
Living people
African-American male actors
American male actors
African-American male rappers
Musicians from East Orange, New Jersey
Actors from East Orange, New Jersey
Rappers from New Jersey
Tommy Boy Records artists
East Coast hip hop musicians
Naughty by Nature
21st-century American rappers