When “O.P.P.” dropped it put Naughty by Nature on the map. The debut single from the newly renamed group’s debut (sort of) album, was a certified hit record. With the follow up single “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”, it was a similar approach, notable sample (go find it) and a catchy beat, but the lyrical content was light years apart. Treach took a complete 180 from the braggadocios, sexual innuendo laced “O.P.P.” to a honest look at growing up fatherless in the ghetto. Which would show why the original title off the track was “Ghetto Bastard”, which apparently Tommy Boy realized wouldn’t help them get radio spins, so it was changed to “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”. I still remember seeing this video at my friends house on MTV. I would have been around 15 years old, I was hooked. Like so many classic tracks from that era, this song holds up very well over the test of time. It’s just as meaningful today as it was 20-something (geez) years ago.
