Onyx (hip-hop group)
Onyx | |
|---|---|
| File:Onyxpicture.jpg | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Queens, New York City |
| Years active | 1989–Present |
| Members | Sticky Fingaz Fredro Starr Sonee Seeza Big DS |
Onyx is a hardcore rap group from Queens, New York. Originally formed in 1989 by Fredro Starr, Sonee Seeza and Big DS, the group later added Sticky Fingaz (Starr's cousin) in 1993.
History
The band began as a House Music group, performing at local clubs which eventually led to them being noticed by Jam Master Jay of Run DMC. He signed them to his record label, JMJ Records, remaking them into a hardcore rap group. Once Sticky Fingaz joined the group, the group released the Throw Ya Gunz EP in 1992. In 1993, Onyx released their Bacdafucup LP. The album met with great commercial success, including heavy airplay on radio and MTV for the single "Slam". They followed in 1995 with their sophomore album All We Got Iz Us, which was much less commercially accessible. The album's lead single "Last Dayz" peaked at #89 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Onyx returned in 1998 with their third album Shut 'Em Down, which featured appearances from DMX, The Lost Boyz, Raekwon, Method Man, Big Pun, Noreaga and a then-unknown 50 Cent. After Shut 'Em Down, Onyx split from their label Def Jam and temporarily split up for solo releases. They reunited in 2002 with Bacdafucup Part II, then followed in 2003 with Triggernometry. Both were met with mediocre reviews and sales. A new Onyx album, titled The Black Rock, is rumored for a 2006 release. In other news, there has been a low-level beef between Onyx member Fredo Starr and 50 cent. According to the Rap News Network (http://www.rapnewsdirect.com/0-202-258067-00.html?tag=artistnav), 50 cent is stated to have started a confrontation with Fredo Starr at the 2003 Vibe Awards. In a 2003 interview Fredo Starr stated, “50 Cent basically started shit with me, started a scuffle, and a bodyguard broke us up. He's a punk. He's disrespectful to Jam Master Jay ever since he passed. Fuck him. I'm doin shit with some ex G-Unit members now. 50 ain’t shit". Furthermore in a source magazine interview, Fredo Starr stated that 50 cent had been disrespectful towards the Onyx rap group even though Onyx had given him his first breakthrough on a song called "React" from the 1998 album, Shut 'Em Down. Though he would have much more success by himself with his Get Rich Or Die tryin' album.
Discography
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
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Bacdafucup
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All We Got Iz Us
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Shut 'Em Down |
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Bacdafucup Part II |
| Triggernometry |
Notes
- It only took 1 month for Bacdafucup to go platinum
- They left Def Jam after their album released due to difficulties between the group and record label.
- Their official website Onyxdomain.com will soon be releasing an official uncensored DVD compilation featuring rare and unrealeased material including hours of footage of studio sessions.
- Sticky Fingaz has a crooked eye which he mentions sometimes in his songs. He says it's from being abused by his father when he was a kid.
- Collaborated with hardcore band Biohazard on the Judgment Night OST.
- The Instrumental of their song Last Dayz from All We Got Iz Us was used in one of the freestyle battles in 8 Mile.