Net Worth Ranker
What Is Anthony “Treach” Criss’ Net Worth?
Anthony “Treach” Criss, a multifaceted American artist celebrated as a rapper, actor, director, and producer, has amassed a net worth of approximately $2 million. His financial standing is primarily attributed to his successful career in the entertainment industry, most notably as the frontman of the acclaimed hip-hop group Naughty by Nature.
Treach’s Musical Journey and Naughty by Nature’s Success
Treach’s career took off significantly with Naughty by Nature. The group has seven studio albums, including “Independent Leaders” (1989), “Naughty by Nature” (1991), “19 Naughty III” (1993), “Poverty’s Paradise” (1995), “Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature’s Fury” (1999), “IIcons” (2002), and “Anthem Inc.” (2011). “Naughty by Nature” and “19 Naughty III” achieved Platinum certification, marking significant milestones in the group’s commercial success. Their hit singles, such as “O.P.P.,” “Hip Hop Hooray,” and “Jamboree” (featuring Zhané), made their mark on the “Billboard” Hot 100 chart and increased the band’s revenue, making them top 10 hits. The recording sales, music streaming revenue, and royalties contribute substantially to Treach’s net worth.
In 1986, Treach established The New Style alongside DJ Kay Gee (Keir Lamont Gist) and Vin Rock (Vincent Brown), culminating in the release of “Independent Leaders” via MCA Records in 1989. Following this initial offering, Queen Latifah took the group under her wing as a mentor, guiding their transformation into Naughty by Nature. The year 1991 marked the release of their self-titled album, a significant achievement that propelled them to the 16th spot on the “Billboard” 200 chart and the 10th position on the “Billboard” Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. This album not only achieved Platinum status in the United States but also earned Gold certification in Canada. Among its tracks, “O.P.P.” stood out, achieving double Platinum status in the U.S. and peaking at number 6 on the “Billboard” Hot 100 chart. It also dominated the “Billboard” Hot Rap Songs and Dance Singles Sales charts. This single’s impact was further acknowledged through its inclusion in “Rolling Stone” magazine’s “100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time” and VH1’s “100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs” and “40 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of the ’90s.”
The group’s momentum continued with the 1993 release of “19 Naughty III,” which achieved Platinum status in the U.S. and Gold in Canada, reaching number 3 on the “Billboard” 200 chart and securing the top spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The single “Hip Hop Hooray” achieved significant success, topping the “Billboard” Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Dance Singles Sales charts, as well as the Canada Singles chart, Canada Dance/Urban chart, and European Dance Radio chart. It was certified Platinum in the U.S. and Gold in New Zealand.
Naughty by Nature’s fourth album, “Poverty’s Paradise,” released in 1995, went Gold in the U.S., reached number 3 on the “Billboard” 200 chart, and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, featuring the Gold-certified single “Feel Me Flow.” Following this, the group released “Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature’s Fury” in 1999, another Gold-certified album that peaked at number 9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The single “Jamboree” (featuring Zhané) reached number 1 on the “Billboard” Hot Rap Songs chart and the Canada Dance chart, earning Gold certification in the U.S. Another single from that album, “Holiday,” went Platinum in Australia, topped the “Billboard” Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, reached number 6 on the Canada Dance/Urban chart, and number 8 on the Australian ARIA chart.
The group’s discography also includes the albums “IIcons” (2002) and “Anthem Inc.” (2011), with “IIcons” peaking at number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Treach has also lent his talents to numerous tracks by other artists, including Queen Latifah’s “Rough…,” Boyz II Men’s “Vibin’ (The New Flava),” Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson’s “Scream (Naughty Remix),” Aaliyah’s “A Girl Like You,” Monica’s “Ain’t Nobody,” and Damian Marley’s “Educated Fools.”
Acting, Directing, and Producing Roles
Apart from his music career, Treach has diversified his income streams through acting, directing, and producing ventures. His film appearances in “The Meteor Man” (1993), “Jason’s Lyric” (1994), “Book of Love” (2002), “Today You Die” (2005), “Playas Ball” (2007), “A Day In The Life” (2009), “One Blood” (2012), and “The Getback” (2023) have contributed to his earnings. Similarly, his roles in television series such as “New York Undercover” (1995), “Oz” (1999), “Soul Food” (2001–2002), “Third Watch” (2002), “Fastlane” (2003), “Law & Order: Trial by Jury” (2005), “The Sopranos” (2006), “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (2009), and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (2014) have added to his income. His recurring role as Brother X on BET’s “The Family Business” (2020–2022) further supplements his acting income.
Treach’s involvement behind the camera, directing music videos like “Naughty by Nature: Written on Ya Kitten” (1995), “Naughty by Nature: Clap Yo Hands” (1995), “Naughty by Nature: Chain Remains” (1995), and “Body Count: This Is Why We Ride” (2017), and producing films such as “Equal Standard” (2020) and “Lord of the Streets” (2022), demonstrates his diversified skills within the entertainment industry, generating additional revenue through these projects.
These diverse roles across acting, directing, and producing contribute to his financial stability and growth, reflecting a calculated approach to expanding his career and net worth.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Anthony Shawn Criss on December 2, 1970, in East Orange, New Jersey, Treach’s early life laid the foundation for his future endeavors. He comes from a family with musical inclinations; his younger brother, Diesel, is also a rapper and former member of the group Rottin Razkals, who released the album “Rottin ta da Core” in 1995 and collaborated with Naughty by Nature on tracks such as “It’s Workin’,” “Klickow-Klickow,” and “Rah Rah.” These early influences and experiences shaped Treach’s path toward a career in hip-hop.
Awards and Nominations
Naughty by Nature’s contribution to the music industry has been recognized through various awards and nominations. The group secured a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for “Poverty’s Paradise” in 1996, marking a significant achievement in their career. In addition to their win, they received Grammy nominations for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “O.P.P.” (1992), “Hip Hop Hooray” (1994), and “Feel Me Flow” (1996). Further recognition came with an American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist in 1992, and nominations for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist in 1994 and 1996. The group also earned “Soul Train” Award nominations for Best Rap Album for “Naughty By Nature” (1992) and “19 Naughty III” (1994), and an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Rap Video for “Naughty by Nature: Hip Hop Hooray” (1993).
Personal Life and Relationships
Treach’s personal life has seen its share of public attention. His close friendship with Tupac Shakur led to appearances in Shakur’s “Temptations” music video and collaborations on songs like “5 Deadly Venomz” and “Loyal to the Game.” Treach married Sandra Denton (Pepa from Salt-n-Pepa) on July 24, 1999, and they have a daughter, Egypt Jahnari Criss, born on September 2, 1998. Egypt has gained recognition as a cast member on the WE tv reality series “Growing Up Hip Hop,” where both of her parents have appeared alongside her.
Treach and Sandra divorced in 2001. In 2017, Treach refuted allegations made in Sandra’s 2008 memoir, “Let’s Talk About Pep.”
Treach married Cicely Evans on September 8, 2019, and they have two children together.
In April 2014, Treach faced legal issues, including a high-speed chase in Union City, New Jersey, leading to citations for speeding, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license. He was also found to have outstanding warrants for failure to appear at a child support hearing in Essex County and hearings for motor vehicle violations in Secaucus and Union City. He spent a night in jail before posting $15,000 bail.
