''Poverty's Paradise'' is the fourth album from
Naughty by Nature, released on May 30, 1995, as their final album under
Tommy Boy Records
Tommy Boy Records is an American independent record label and multimedia brand founded in 1981 by Tom Silverman. The label is credited with helping and launching the music careers of Queen Latifah, Amber, Afrika Bambaataa, Stetsasonic, Digita ...
. It peaked at number three on the
''Billboard'' 200 and number one on the
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a music chart published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine that ranks R&B and hip-hop albums based on sales in the United States and is compiled by Luminate. The chart debuted as Hot R&B LPs in the issue dated January 30, ...
chart. A single released from the album, "
Feel Me Flow", achieved major success, peaking at number 17 on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100, two other singles "
Craziest" and "
Clap Yo Hands", achieved minor success, the former peaking at number 51 on the Hot 100.
At the
37th Annual Grammy Awards
The 37th Annual Grammy Awards were presented on March 1, 1995, at Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Bruce Springsteen was the night's biggest winner with 4 awards, including Song ...
, ''Poverty's Paradise'' won the award for
Best Rap Album, which was a new category that year.
Critical reception
James Bernard of ''
Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American online magazine, digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, ...
'' praised both Treach and Vinnie for their commanding presence throughout the track listing and felt the record was prime for summer replays, saying "Dominated by rollicking bass lines, chant-along choruses, and the catchy, tight rhyme schemes that are Naughty's trademark, ''Poverty'' is tailor-made for low driving on the beach."
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
's
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine (; born June 18, 1973) is an American music critic and former senior editor for the online music database AllMusic. He is the author of multiple artist biographies and record reviews for AllMusic, as well as a freelance ...
said that "
r their third album, Naughty By Nature do little to truly change their style. Some of the beats are little slower and funkier, some of the rhymes are more dexterous, some of the rhythms are a little more complex -- yet nothing distinguishes ''Poverty's Paradise'' from the group's two previous, and superior, records."
Martin Johnson of the ''
Chicago Tribune
The ''Chicago Tribune'' is an American daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1847, it was formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper", a slogan from which its once integrated WGN (AM), WGN radio and ...
'' said about the album: "Yes, there are many radio-friendly anthemic numbers that could make a nifty summer soundtrack, but the real strength of this record is its consistency; there are no weak spots. Most tracks roll by with New Jersey-styled funk and rollicking rhymes from Treach and Kay Gee, whose lyrics depict the 'hood without romanticizing it."
Cheo H. Coker, writing for ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason.
The magazine was first known fo ...
'', gave note of the record following the same formula as the group's previous efforts: "a few party-starting tracks ("Clap Yo Hands," "Craziest"), some social commentary ("Chain Remains," "Holding Fort") and a barrage of lyrical fury ("Klickcow, Klicow," "Respect Due")", but said that it retains their "sheer funkability" thanks to the "production stylistics" of Kay Gee's work, Vinnie's "improved rhyme skills," and Treach remaining consistent in his vocal conviction, saying "there's emotional substance behind the flashy verbal pyrotechnics."
Track listing
Sample credits
* "Poverty's Paradise" contains a sample from "Poverty's Paradise", written by
Dale Warren and performed by
24-Carat Black.
* "Clap Yo Hands" contains a sample from:
** "
Eric B. Is President", written and performed by
Eric B. & Rakim.
** "
I Thank You", written by
David Porter and
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Lee Hayes Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008) was an American singer, songwriter, composer, and actor. He was one of the creative forces behind the Southern soul music label Stax Records in the 1960s, serving as an in-house songwr ...
, and performed by
Sam & Dave
Sam & Dave were an American soul and R&B duo who performed together from 1961 until 1981. The tenor (higher) voice was Sam Moore (1935–2025) and the baritone/tenor (lower) voice was Dave Prater (1937–1988).
Nicknamed "Double Dynamite", " ...
.
* "City of Ci-Lo" contains a sample from "The Bones Fly from Spoons Hand", performed by
The Last Poets.
* "Hang Out and Hustle" contains a sample from:
** "Just Hanging Out"; written by
Kevin McKenzie,
Shawn McKenzie, and
William Mitchell; and performed by
Main Source.
** "Hang Out and Hustle", written by
James Brown
James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and record producer. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is referred to by Honorific nick ...
and
Charles Sherrell, and performed by
The J.B.'s.
* "Feel Me Flow" contains a sample from "Find Yourself", performed by
The Meters.
* "Craziest" contains a sample from "That's All That Matters Baby", written and performed by
Charles Wright.
* "Sunshine" contains a sample from "Everybody Loves the Sunshine", written and performed by
Roy Ayers
Roy Edward Ayers Jr. (September 10, 1940 – March 4, 2025) was an American vibraphonist, record producer, and composer. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several studio albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure ...
.
* "Respect Due" contains a sample from:
** "
King of Rock
''King of Rock'' is the second studio album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C., released on January 21, 1985, by Profile Records. The album was produced by Russell Simmons and Larry Smith. ''King of Rock'' became the first rap album to be r ...
"; written by Larry Smith,
Joseph Simmons
Joseph Ward Simmons (born November 14, 1964), better known by the stage name Run, Rev. Run or DJ Run, is an American rapper, producer, DJ, and television personality. Simmons is one of the founding members of the influential Hip-hop, hip hop g ...
, and
Darryl McDaniels
Darryl Matthews McDaniels (born May 31, 1964), also commonly known by his stage name DMC (or D.M.C.), is an American rapper and record producer. He is a founding member of the Hip-hop, hip hop group Run-DMC, and is considered one of the pioneers ...
; and performed by
Run-DMC
Run-DMC (also formatted Run-D.M.C., RUN DMC, or some combination thereof) was an American hip-hop group formed in Hollis, Queens, New York City in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the mos ...
.
** "Off and On"; written by
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. (; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American Rhythm and blues, R&B and soul singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He helped shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player an ...
,
James Nyx Jr.,
Freddie Perren,
Fonce Mizell,
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy III (born November 28, 1929), also known as Berry Gordy Jr., is an American retired record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer and television producer. He is best known as the founder of the Motown record label and i ...
,
Edward Fordham, Marcus Jones, Antonio Perry, and
Deke Richards; and performed by
Trends of Culture.
* "World Go Round" contains a sample from:
** "
People Make the World Go Round", written by
Thom Bell
Thomas Randolph Bell (January 26, 1943 – December 22, 2022) was an American record producer, arranger, and songwriter known as one of the creators of Philadelphia soul in the 1970s. Hailed as one of the most prolific R&B songwriters and prod ...
and
Linda Creed, and performed by
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...
.
** What You Do to Me", written and performed by
Tony Williams.
* "Shout Out" contains a sample from "Our Love Has Died", performed by
Ohio Players
Ohio Players are an American funk band, most popular in the 1970s. They are best known for their songs "Fire" and " Love Rollercoaster", and for their erotic album covers that featured nude or nearly nude women. Many of the women were models f ...
.
* "Outro" contains a sample from the motion picture ''
Animal House
''National Lampoon's Animal House'' is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis and written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney and Chris Miller (writer), Chris Miller. It stars John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Tom ...
''.
* "Connections" contains a sample from "The What"; written by
Osten Harvey,
Christopher Wallace,
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Diddy, and formerly Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, record producer, and record executive. Born in Harlem and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, Mount Ve ...
, and
Method Man
Clifford Smith, Jr. (born March 2, 1971), known professionally as Method Man, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. He is a member of the East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, and is half of the hip hop duo Method Man & R ...
; and performed by
The Notorious B.I.G.
Samples
*"Intro Skit"
**"Soul Sister Brown Sugar" by
Sam & Dave
Sam & Dave were an American soul and R&B duo who performed together from 1961 until 1981. The tenor (higher) voice was Sam Moore (1935–2025) and the baritone/tenor (lower) voice was Dave Prater (1937–1988).
Nicknamed "Double Dynamite", " ...
*"Poverty's Paradise"
**"Poverty's Paradise" by
24 Carat Black
*"Clap Yo Hands"
**"I Thank You" by
Sam & Dave
Sam & Dave were an American soul and R&B duo who performed together from 1961 until 1981. The tenor (higher) voice was Sam Moore (1935–2025) and the baritone/tenor (lower) voice was Dave Prater (1937–1988).
Nicknamed "Double Dynamite", " ...
**"
Eric B. is President" by
Eric B. & Rakim
**"
Devotion (Live)" by
Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire (abbreviated as EW&F or EWF) is an American band formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1969. Their music spans multiple genres, including jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin and Afro-pop. They are among the best-selling ba ...
*"City of Ci-Lo"
**"Bones Fly from Spoon's Hand" by
Lightnin' Rod
**"Stranded on Death Row" by
Dr.Dre
*"Hang Out and Hustle"
**"Hang out and Hustle" by
Sweet Charles
*"Feel Me Flow"
**"Find Yourself" by
The Meters
*"Craziest"
**"That's All That Matters Baby" by
Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
*"Sunshine"
**"Everybody Loves the Sunshine" by
Roy Ayers
Roy Edward Ayers Jr. (September 10, 1940 – March 4, 2025) was an American vibraphonist, record producer, and composer. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several studio albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure ...
*"World Go Round"
**"
People Make the World Go Round" by
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...
**"What You Do to Me" by
Tony Williams
*"Klickow-Klickow"
**"Funky Worm" by
Ohio Players
Ohio Players are an American funk band, most popular in the 1970s. They are best known for their songs "Fire" and " Love Rollercoaster", and for their erotic album covers that featured nude or nearly nude women. Many of the women were models f ...
*"Slang Bang"
**"Inside My Love" by
Minnie Riperton
Minnie Julia Riperton (November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979)
was an American soul singer and songwriter best known for her 1974 single " Lovin' You", her five-octave vocal range, and her use of the whistle register.
Born in 1947, Riperton grew ...
*"Shout Out"
**"Our Love Has Died" by
Ohio Players
Ohio Players are an American funk band, most popular in the 1970s. They are best known for their songs "Fire" and " Love Rollercoaster", and for their erotic album covers that featured nude or nearly nude women. Many of the women were models f ...
*"Connections"
**"Hard Times" by
Baby Huey
Baby Huey is a gigantic and naïve duckling cartoon character. He was created by Martin Taras for Paramount Pictures' Famous Studios, and became a Paramount cartoon star during the 1950s. Huey first appeared in ''Quack-a-Doodle-Doo'', a Paramount ...
& "The What" by
The Notorious B.I.G. feat.
Method Man
Clifford Smith, Jr. (born March 2, 1971), known professionally as Method Man, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. He is a member of the East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, and is half of the hip hop duo Method Man & R ...
Album chart positions
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Singles chart positions
Certifications
See also
*
List of number-one R&B albums of 1995 (U.S.)
References
{{Authority control
1995 albums
Naughty by Nature albums
Tommy Boy Records albums
Grammy Award for Best Rap Album