“Anthem Inc.” by Naughty By Nature

On Naughty By Nature’s most recent LP Anthem Inc., the New Jersey hip hop veterans bring a host of new tracks to their lengthy repertoire while also capping off the album with some crowd favorites from years past to honor their 20 year career. While NBN manage to bring a handful of quality tunes to the table, this record is really meant for fans that have followed the group for a long time. Casual hip hop fans would be likely to benefit more by reaching back to their 1991 self titled debut (which features several of the new record’s highlight tracks) for a look at the group at its best. Hardcore fans however will be pleased to hear the group still putting out a solid record, even if it may be lacking in many new standout singles.

The album begins with a great intro that sets the tone for the album perfectly and gives a nod to the fans that have stuck with them over their whole career. The albums first real song is the energetic and powerful “Naughty Nation.” Out of the newer cuts I think this stands out as a quality album opener and one of the better songs on the album. At the end of the day though this album stands as a reminder of the fact that Naughty By Nature are a great hip hop group, but in my opinion this mostly serves the purpose of bringing in new fans and pointing them toward their early records to continue the NBN legacy.

By Steve Cameron