POP MUSIC REVIEWS : Naughty by Nature Keeps It Light at the House of Blues

Naughty by Nature lived up to its name on Saturday at the House of Blues.

The group spent a sizable portion of its act requesting an underpants-toss from female members of the packed club. When that request was granted--though only about two pairs were flung onstage--the trio spent several minutes complaining about the condition of the items. Oh well, this groupie business isn’t what it once was, not even for one of rap’s premiere groups.

Thanks to such hits as “O.P.P.” and “Hip Hop Hooray,” NBN’s stature as one of the East Coast’s leading rap acts is well-established, though it could take a tip from its peers Salt-N-Pepa on how to put on an exciting show.

The high point of its act Saturday came when a sample of Prince’s “Pop Life” blared out over the speakers--that minor gem in Prince’s crown made much of what Naughty by Nature had to offer pale by comparison.

Some of what hurt the group was the bass-heavy sound system, which muddied most of the lyrics. Crystal clear, though, were the between-song expletives, which flew hot and heavy.

Except for one thought-provoking observation--that “prisons are today’s plantations”--NBN’s comments weren’t too politically oriented. It mostly kept matters naughty and light, and its fans, while not wildly enthusiastic for most of the night, seemed to appreciate that.