Naughty by Nature is a Grammy Award-winning American hip hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey that at the time of its formation in 1988 consisted of Treach (Anthony Criss, born December 2, 1970), Vin Rock (Vincent Brown, born September 17, 1970), and the DJ Kay Gee (born Keir Gist, September 15, 1969). It is known for being one of the few hip hop acts who were able to balance success on the pop charts with hardcore credibility.