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Onyx (hip-hop group)

From Alfawiki
Onyx
Company typeMusic group
IndustryMusic, entertainment
Founded1988 in New York City, United States
FounderFredro Starr, Suavé (Sonny Seeza), Big DS
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz, Suavé (Sonny Seeza), Big DS (former)
ProductsMusic albums, singles
Websiteonyxofficial.com

Onyx is a hardcore hip hop ensemble originating from New York City, established in 1988 by Fredro Starr, Suavé (also recognized as Sonny Seeza), and the late Big DS. In 1991, Sticky Fingaz became a member.

Their most notable achievement is the 1993 platinum-certified single "Slam", which The Source acknowledged for popularizing slam dancing within hip-hop culture. The group has produced eight studio albums, with three entering the Billboard 200 Top 25. Their debut record, Bacdafucup, earned platinum status, secured the Best Rap Album award at the Soul Train Music Awards, and was included in The Source magazine's list of 100 Best Rap Albums.

Onyx's signature sound includes intense shouting, forceful vocal delivery, dynamic stage diving, and a distinctive bald-headed look, all of which have shaped their identity in the hardcore hip hop scene.

History

Formed in 1988 by school friends Fredro Starr, Sonny Seeza, and Big DS, Onyx took its name from the onyx gemstone. Their early work involved recording demos using drum machine rhythms from an SP-12. By 1989, they engaged manager Jeffrey Harris, who facilitated a deal with Profile Records. Their debut single, Ah, And We Do It Like This (1990), experienced limited commercial success.

In 1991, at The Jones Beach GreekFest Festival, they encountered producer Jam Master Jay, who signed them to his label, Jam Master Jay Records. Fredro Starr introduced his cousin Kirk Jones (Sticky Fingaz) to the group, who subsequently joined. That same year, following the death of their producer B-Wiz, they enlisted Chyskillz as a replacement.

Their inaugural album Bacdafucup released in 1993 achieved platinum certification and reached No. 10 on the Billboard 200. Tracks such as "Throw Ya Gunz" and "Slam" charted successfully; notably, "Slam" peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received Platinum certification. In 1994, Big DS departed to embark on a solo career under Illyotic Music.

Onyx's sophomore album All We Got Iz Us came out in 1995 alongside the establishment of Armee Records, distributed through MCA Records. They also produced for acts like Gang Green and All City. That year saw Marvel Music publish a comic book inspired by the group.

Their third studio effort, Shut 'Em Down (1998), featured collaborations with DMX, 50 Cent, Wu-Tang Clan members, and Big Pun. It attained No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and sold half a million copies. This release marked their final project under Def Jam Recordings.

In 2001, Bacdafucup Part II was issued via Koch Records, including tracks such as "Feel Me," dedicated to the events of September 11. Two years later, in 2003, they delivered Triggernometry, blending fresh material with autobiographical content. That year also witnessed the passing of former member Big DS due to cancer.

In 2008, Onyx compiled unreleased tracks into Cold Case Files, featuring collaborations with artists like Method Man. Plans for the album Black Rock were deferred in 2009 as Sonny Seeza left to pursue solo endeavors.

The group released another compilation titled Cold Case Files Vol. 2 in 2012. Their first studio album in over ten years, Wakedafucup, arrived in 2014 through Goon MuSick with full production by Snowgoons, including guest appearances from Sean Price and Papoose among others. The same year saw X-Ray Records issue an unreleased material collection named #TURNDAFUCUP.

In 2015, they presented the EP Against All Authorities, addressing police brutality themes and produced by Scopic with guest spots from Ras Kass and Merkules. Later that year, Def Jam released the compilation ICON. A planned collaborative album with M.O.P., produced by Snowgoons, was canceled after failing to meet Kickstarter funding goals.

Onyx partnered with Dutch group Dope D.O.D. for the album Shotgunz in Hell (2017), featuring Sick Flo and DJ Nelson. In 2018, they released Black Rock, co-produced alongside Slovenian producer Kid AC.

Their collective effort 100 Mad was unveiled in 2019 with production credits including Snowgoons and The Alchemist and guest contributions from artists like Conway the Machine. Later that year came the compilation Lost Treasures via X-Ray Records as well as their eighth studio album SnowMads, produced by Snowgoons and receiving acclaim from Russian media outlets. The group promoted this release through performances on Russian and Bulgarian television.

In 2020, Lords of the Underground collaborated with Onyx on a single and video titled "Whats Up". On April 9, 2021, Onyx dropped their ninth studio album Onyx 4 Life, produced by Chilean duo Crack Brodas with features from Mad Lion and Cappadonna. Singles included "Coming Outside" and "Ahh Yeah". The cover art was designed by Russian tattoo artist Alexey Mashkow.

Their tenth studio album 1993 was released on March 4, 2022; it was produced by Ukrainian beatmaker Stasevich and recorded in a single session without pre-written lyrics to preserve an unfiltered energy. Supporting singles included "Bo! Bo! Bo!", "Ruff & Rugged", and "Just Slam".

On May 6, X-Ray Records issued a re-release titled #Turndafucup (The Original Sessions), featuring original versions of tracks along with two previously unreleased songs.

The eleventh studio album Onyx Versus Everybody came out on May 13 via Surface Noise Records; production was handled by Fredro Starr with guest appearances from Termanology and Big Twin among others. A music video for "Shoot Wit" followed in June.

On May 14, Onyx participated in a rap battle against Cypress Hill at Fight Night Music in California where both groups performed classic hits.

September 9 marked the release of their twelfth studio project World Take Over through their label 100 Mad; it showcased international rappers. A deluxe edition followed in October containing multiple versions of the single "What We Doing'?" recorded with global artists. The music video for this track premiered July 17, 2023.

On May 5, 2023, Onyx unveiled their thirteenth studio album Blood On Da X, featuring rapper EnWhy alongside production contributions from members such as Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz. The single "The Boom Boom Bap" had its video released earlier that March.

German label Goon MuSick released Bacdafucup Remixed on July 21—a collection primarily comprising Snowgoons remixes of tracks from their debut album.

March 15, 2024 saw the release of the single "The Money Kids", accompanied by a CGI-enhanced video directed by Luca De Massis that portrayed animated depictions of Onyx navigating New York City streets.

On June 14, X-Ray Records issued Ghetto Anthems, a compilation featuring re-recorded hits produced by Eric Debris and Jürgen Engler at their Austin studio; it was accompanied by a new single entitled "WTF U Talkin' About".

On March 3, 2025, Onyx premiered "Black Skinheads", leading single off their upcoming fourteenth album titled Lower East Side. Its follow-up single "Tear Shit Up" was released March 27. Prior to April’s launch of their collaborative project Battle Royale, they teamed up with French rap collective L’uZine for the track "Paris Is Burning".

The full-length album Lower East Side, recorded entirely at Overtones Recording Studio in Los Angeles and produced exclusively by Queens-born beatmaker Lord Nez, is slated for an April release through X-Ray Records.

Current members

Former members

Video games

Discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

  • Shotgunz in Hell (with Dope D.O.D.) (2017)
  • Battle Royale (with L’uZine) (2025)

Awards and nominations

In 1994, the group Onyx was nominated for "Favorite New Rap/Hip-Hop Artist" at the American Music Awards, and earned the "Best Rap Album" award at the Soul Train Music Awards for their album Bacdafucup. Additionally, they received five nominations at The Source Hip Hop Music Awards during the same year.

Year Award Work Category Result
1994 American Music Awards of 1994 Bacdafucup Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist Template:Nom
1994 Soul Train Music Awards Bacdafucup Best Rap Album Template:Win
The Source Hip Hop Music Awards Onyx New group of the year Template:Nom
Onyx New artist of the year Template:Nom
Onyx Live performer of the year Template:Nom
"Slam" Single of the year Template:Nom
Bacdafucup Album of the year Template:Nom

Towards the end of 1993, both Billboard and Cashbox featured Onyx on multiple yearly charts. In 1996, CMJ New Music Monthly included All We Got Iz Us in their list of The 25 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 1995. The album #WakeDaFucUp was recognized by XXL as one of the top hip-hop albums in 2014, while in 2020, Russian website Rap.Ru honored SnowMads as the Best Rap Album of 2019.

Year Work Publication Country Accolade Rank
1993 Onyx Billboard United States 'Hot Rap Artists' 1
'Top Billboard 200 Album Artists' 64
'Top R&B Album Artists' 20
'Hot 100 Singles Artists' 45
'Cashbox' 'Top New Groups' 4
1996 'All We Got Iz Us' CMJ New Music Monthly 'The 25 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 1995' 17
2014 '#WakeDaFucUp' 'XXL' 'The 25 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2014'
2020 'SnowMads' 'Rap.Ru' 'Russia' 'The Best Rap Album of 2019 - Readers' Choice' '1'


External links

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