THE KAY GEE COLLECTION

Eminem gives respect to Treach as one of the most innovative lyricists of the early ’90s, and Naughty By Nature’s main producer—Kier “Kay Gee” Gist—is long overdue for a similar recognition on the music tip. After debuting in 1989 as a trio named The New Style, this group of East Orange, New Jersey friends landed a management deal with Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit. They soon changed their named to Naughty By Nature, got signed to Tommy Boy and started producing for Flavor Unit’s roster. The group’s classic self-titled debut featured “O.P.P.,” one of rap music’s first massive crossover hits that didn’t sacrifice hip-hop credibility.

The success of Naughty set Kay Gee up as a producer-for-hire, but even from the jump, his focus seemed to be on artist development. He found early R&B success with bald-headed duo Zhané, who he signed to Naughty’s Illtown Records. While he originally produced in collaboration with the Naughty crew, he broke out on his own in the mid-’90s and formed a new label named Divine Mill. Once again, he found R&B success with Next, and later soul crooner Jaheim. In honor of everyone driving out to Jersey this weekend for Summer Jam, I wanted to make a mix of 30 key Kay Gee-related tracks for this week’s Uggh…Nice Watch release. Enjoy…

DOWNLOAD THE KAY GEE COLLECTION: MEDIAFIRE

1. The New Style “Scuffin’ Those Knees” (1989)
2. Zhané “Hey Mr. D.J.” (1993)
3. Naughty By Nature “Uptown Anthem” (1991)
4. Rottin Raskalz “Hey Alright” (1995)
5. Tha Rayne f/ Lupe Fiasco “Kiss Me” (2002)
6. Next “Too Close” (1998)
7. Shabba Ranks f/ Patra “Ice Cream Lover” (1995)
8. Queen Latifah “U.N.I.T.Y.” (1993)
9. Aaliyah “Are You Ready” (1996)
10. Naughty By Nature “Ghetto Bastard (Everything’s Gonna be Alright)” (1991)
11. Jaheim “Fabulous” (2002)
12. The Notorious B.I.G. f/ 112 “Miss U” (1997)
13. Miilkbone “Where’z Da’ Party At?” (1995)
14. Eazy-E “Hit The Hooker” (1995)
15. Naughty By Nature “Feel Me Flow” (1995)
16. Queen Latifah “Latifah’s Had It Up 2 Here” (1991)
17. Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson “Scream (Naughty Mix)” (1995)
18. D-Nice f/ Naughty By Nature “Time To Flow” (1991)
19. Mary J. Blige “Press On” (2003)
20. M.A.G. “Fist Full Of Dank” (1998)
21. Monica f/ Naughty By Nature “Ain’t Nobody” (1995)
22. The Transitions “Back In Da Days” (2001)
23. Deborah Cox “It’s Over Now” (1998)
24. Pat Benatar f/ Queen Latifah “Love Is A Battlefield (Remix)” (1998)
25. Jaheim “Put That Woman First” (2002)
26. Stacie Orrico “Don’t Ask Me To Stay” (2006)
27. Shade Sheist f/ Kurupt & Nate Dogg “Where I Wanna Be” (2000)
28. Next “Wifey” (2000)
29. Zhané “Groove Thang” (1994)
30. Naughty By Nature “O.P.P.” (1991)

ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, WRITTEN OR PERFORMED BY KAY GEE