Hip Hop Hooray by Naughty By Nature Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Anthem of a Generation
Lyrics
You drew a picture of my morning
But you couldn’t make my day (Hey!)
I’m rockin’ and you’re yawning
But you never look my way (Hey!)
I’m licking down your darlin’
In every single way (Hey!)
Your funny flow is foreign
And a green card’s on the way
This ain’t got shit to do with shampoo, but watch your head n shoulder
Brother older bold enough to fold ya, yo I told ya
A raid afraid of what I made and played it, plus a funky fit
So save your flips and tricks for that music and the monkey bit
Triggers from the Grilltown Illtown
Some ask how it feels now
The deal is that we’re real so we’re still ’round
Don’t lamp with a freestyle phantom, ain’t trying to be handsome
Shrinking what you’re thinking cause I’m vamping
I live and die for Hip Hop
This is Hip Hop for today
I give props to hip-hop so
Hip Hop hooray, hey, ho
You heard a lot about a brother gaining mo’ ground
Being low down I do the showdown with any little ho round, no!
I wanna know who you’re believing, through your funny reasons
Even when I’m sleeping you think I’m cheatin’
You said, “I know you, Mr. O.P.P. man
Yo PP man, won’t only see me man”
You should’ve known when I ain’t hit it and step
That I was wit’ it a bit not to consider the rep, heck!
I did your partner cause she’s hot as a baker
Cause I’m Naughty by Nature, not cause I hate ya!
You put your heart in a part of a part that spreads apart
And forgot that I forgave when you had a spark
You try to act like something really big is missing
Even though my name’s graffiti Written on Ya Kitten
I love black women always and disrespect ain’t the way
Let’s start a family today
Hip Hop hooray, hey, ho
Hip Hop Hip Hip Hop Hip Hip Hop Hooray!
There’s many hungry Hip Hoppers one reason Hip Hop’s tip-top today
Swerve what ya heard cause I ain’t bailing no hay
Ain’t chopping no crops, but still growing every day
Here’s a thunder sound from the wonders found
From the underground town down the hill
Feel how Illtown drown smiles to frowns
Snatchin’ crowns from clowns beat downs are found
Don’t know me don’t come around
Tippy tippy (pause) tippy tippy (pause)
Sometimes creepin’ up I eat em up
Your styles are older than Lou Rawls
Peace to this one and that one and them
That way I shout out and I didn’t miss one friend
Fools get foolish, neither them or Parker Lewis knew us
You could have crews with shoes and can’t step to us
Some kitties purr, now call me sir too
Looking for her crew
Any trick that diss gets a curfew
I put on projects for boots, step through troops and leave proof
My problem solver’s name is Mook
I hitting woodies in a hoody
Peace to Josette, Jobete, Jo-Jo, Genae, and every hood G
That’s right, my fight is ill
Peace goes to L.O.N.S. and Quest, Nice & Smooth & Cypress Hill
I live and die for Hip Hop
This is Hip Hop of today
I give props to Hip Hop so
Hip Hop hooray, hey, ho, smooth it out now
Naughty By Nature’s ‘Hip Hop Hooray’ isn’t just a catchy chorus and a hands-in-the-air party anthem; it’s a composition laced with cultural references, social commentary, and a celebration of the genre that gave a voice to the streets. As the beats get you nodding, the lyrics invite you into the complexities of hip-hop culture and its presence in the lives of those it touched.
Breaking down the layers of this iconic track reveals more than the surface-level euphoria of a ubiquitous hook. It shows us a group that was as knowledgeable about their art form as they were skilled in performing it. Let’s explore the depths beyond the ‘Hey! Ho!’
The Celebration of Culture and Survival
The chorus, ‘Hip Hop hooray, hey, ho,’ is an outright jubilation of the genre’s existence and perseverance. Naughty By Nature wasn’t just celebrating their individual success but recognizing the collective strength of a movement that arose from the ashes of the inner-city’s trials and tribulations.
This one phrase encapsulates the joyous survival of a cultural form that has been marginalized, criticized, and often disregarded by mainstream media. Through their anthem, Naughty By Nature is giving hip hop its moment of acknowledgment and praise, claiming its rightful place in the pantheon of influential musical genres.
Addressing the Misconceptions and Stereotypes
Verses like ‘You heard a lot about a brother gaining mo’ ground / Being low down I do the showdown with any little ho round, no!’ dispel the misjudgments surrounding the artists themselves. Here, the integrity of Naughty By Nature’s members is addressed amidst the rumors and tales that sprout like weeds around popular figures.
By confronting these issues head-on, the band asserts their authenticity and refutes the gossip that can corrupt the reputation of hip-hop artists. It’s a stance that’s as much about personal vindication as it is about correcting the narrative often imposed upon figures in the hip-hop community.
The Artistry Behind the Beats
Beyond the exuberance and bravado, there lies a craftsmanship in lyrics subtly reflecting on the challenges of their creative pursuit. ‘Triggers from the Grilltown Illtown / Some ask how it feels now / The deal is that we’re real so we’re still ’round’ underscores a pride in their origins and the authenticity that drives their continued relevance.
Naughty By Nature uses their art to comment on their growth from the ‘Illtown’ origins, establishing that despite changing tides in the music industry, they remain anchored in what’s real—a quality that defines their staying power.
Decoding the Hidden Meanings
When delving deeper, the iconic line ‘This ain’t got shit to do with shampoo, but watch your head n shoulder’ uses clever wordplay to make a dual point. It’s a caution to those around them to be vigilant (‘watch your head’) and acknowledges the competitive nature of the hip-hop industry, where one must constantly stay ahead (‘n shoulder’).
In the same vein, remarks about relationships, societal expectations, and personal responsibilities are woven through the verses, with the group using their platform to raise issues under the infectious guise of an upbeat track.
Memorable Lines That Echo in Pop Culture
‘I live and die for Hip Hop / This is Hip Hop of today / I give props to Hip Hop so’ extracts the very essence of the song’s enduring appeal. It’s a testament of dedication, a declaration of life’s purpose, and a nod of respect to the culture that’s not only defined the artists but shaped a generation’s identity.
These lines, among many others, have been sampled, shouted, and etched into the collective memory of hip hop aficionados. They embody the spirit and tenacity of hip hop, capturing the undying commitment to a genre that’s much more than music—it’s a way of life.
