It's On

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"It's On"
Single by Naughty by Nature
from the album 19 Naughty III
B-side"It's On" (Beatnuts Remix)
ReleasedJune 8, 1993
Recorded1992
Genre
Length5:03
LabelTommy Boy
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature singles chronology
"Hip Hop Hooray"
(1993)
"It's On"
(1993)
"Written on Ya Kitten"
(1993)
Music video
"It's On" on YouTube

"It's On" is a song by American hip hop trio Naughty by Nature, released on June 8, 1993 by Tommy Boy as the second single from the trio's third album, 19 Naughty III (1993). The song was produced and written by the three members of the group, and found decent success on the US Billboard charts, making it to number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 48 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It samples jazz artist Donald Byrd's "French Spice", for which he received writing credits. The official remix was produced by the production duo The Beatnuts and featured on the B-Side of the single.

Critical reception[edit]

In an retrospective review, Jesse Ducker from Albumism stated that the song "is a musical change of pace, as Treach and Vinnie rhyme over a horn-heavy loop from Donald Byrd's 'French Spice'."[1] Upon the single release, Larry Flick from Billboard described it as "another wildly infectious, fist-waving anthem that combines rapid-fire rhymes and live, butt-shaking beats." He added, "Chanted chorus could open deserved doors at top 40 formats, though track is hard enough to keep that all-important street cred in check."[2] Andrew Smith from Melody Maker wrote, "Naughty by Nature specialize in cultivating a groove, and there are a few funky ones on show here, though I could do without the gun on the cover."[3] Andy Beevers from Music Week felt that "this hard-hitting rap track will appeal to established fans but appears to lack the crossover appeal of 'OPP' or 'Hip Hip Hooray'."[4] Dele Fadele from NME opined that it "lacks bite, seeming inconsequential in the face of the floor-filling, arms-waving 'Hip Hop Hooray'."[5] Touré from Rolling Stone named it a "strong" single.[6]

Single track listing[edit]

  • A-Side
  1. "It's On" (Kay Gee Remix) - 3:06
  2. "It's On" (Instrumental) - 3:06
  • B-Side
  1. "It's On" (Beatnuts Remix) - 3:31
  2. "Hip Hop Hooray" (Pete Rock Remix) - 4:32
  3. "It's On" (A Capella) - 3:11

Charts[edit]

Chart (1993) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[7] 51
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8] 34
UK Singles (OCC)[9] 48
UK Dance (Music Week)[10] 12
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 74
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] 48
US Cash Box Top 100[13] 58

References[edit]

  1. ^ Ducker, Jesse (21 February 2018). "Naughty By Nature's '19 Naughty III' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  2. ^ Flick, Larry (22 May 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 110. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  3. ^ Smith, Andrew (12 June 1993). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 27. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  4. ^ Beevers, Andy (5 June 1993). "Market Preview: Dance" (PDF). Music Week. p. 7. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  5. ^ Fadele, Dele (3 July 1993). "Singles". NME. p. 18. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  6. ^ Touré (29 April 1993). "Naughty By Nature: 19 Naughty III". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  7. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 199.
  8. ^ "Naughty by Nature – It's On". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "Naughty By Nature: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  10. ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 19 June 1993. p. 20. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  11. ^ "Naughty By Nature Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  12. ^ "Naughty By Nature Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  13. ^ "Top 100 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LVI, no. 46. July 24, 1993. p. 12. Retrieved April 20, 2024.