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Black Rock | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | February 16, 2018 | |||
Recorded | 2004–2017 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 35:17 | |||
Label | X-Ray | |||
Producer |
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Onyx chronology | ||||
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Singles from Black Rock | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
HipHop4Real | [1] |
Faygoluvers | [2] |
HotNewHipHop | HOTTTTT [3] [ original research? ] |
Black Rock is the seventh album by American rap group Onyx, released on February 16, 2018, via X-Ray Records. The whole album was produced by 18-year-old Slovenian producer Emiljo Albert Cassagrande. The album features appearances by American rappers Optimus (also known as Jordy Towers), Skyzoo, R.A. the Rugged Man, Sick Flo, Snak the Ripper and DJ Nelson
In 2004, Onyx began work on a new album under the title "Black Rock", but for some reasons the album's release was postponed for years. Onyx returned to the process of recording the album in 2006, when Sticky Fingaz first announced that Onyx is working on a new album called "Black Rock". [4]
"...There is a new Onyx album coming out the end of this year," he revealed. "The name of the new album is called 'The Black Rock'. That will be on [Jones' new company] Major Independents as well."
Onyx back to talk about a new album in 2008. [5] [6]
"...Black Rock is a hybrid album – Rock influenced with Hip Hop underneath it. It's us repping for the rebels of the world, the rebels of the street who Onyx represents. It's a where hip-hop meets the mosh pit."
In 2008, Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz met a young talented singer Optimus (also known as Jordy Towers), who featured on 3 songs for the album "Black Rock": "The Greatest Day of My Life", "Chasing The Devil" and "Blinded By The Light" and even starred in a video for the last song. The whole album was produced by Desmond "DSP" Powell. The album was done in June 2008 according to the interview with Sticky Fingaz. [7] In a 2008 interview for AllHipHop Fredro said that the album should have been released in 1994. It should have been Onyx second album. [8]
The album was due out in late 2009. In the summer of the same year Onyx did a tour "Black Rock U.S.A. Tour Summer 2009" consist of the cities of United States. But the album's release was postponed because of Damon Dash, one of the three founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, who together with Ohio-based rock duo The Black Keys with the participation of New York City-based rappers like Mos Def, Billy Danze, Q-Tip and RZA released an album called "Blakroc" in late 2009 (a collaboration of rap and rock), thus destroying the plans of Onyx.
The first single from Damon Dash's project "BlakRoc" was released on September 14, 2009, and thus announced the release of a new project. A week later, on September 21, on Angela Yee and Leah Rose's "Lip Service" radio show on Shade 45, Onyx spoke about this: [9] [10] [11]
"...Niggas is biting the whole fuckin' movement", Fredro Starr explained. "The 'Black Rock' shit, we been rocking with that. Now I'm hearing other niggas coming out with it. I ain't sayin' no fuckin' names. You know what it is man, holla at me niggas, 100 mad niggas with guns niggas, stop playing games with me!"
"...Onyx is putting out a 'Black Rock' project, and that's it! And anybody else, tryna put putting out a black rock project, you biting!", blustered Sticky Fingaz. "If that shit come out, I promise you I put trademarks around your fuckin' eyes. All of y'all niggas. I'm do to y'all niggas like the fuckin' candyman, come find y'all niggas one at a fuckin' time! It ain't about who put it out first, it's about who getting punched in they fuckin' eye first."
"Black Rock" is a hybrid album of hip hop and rock and roll. Onyx mixes hardcore vocal delivery with heavy guitar riffs to create the most aggressive release of the group's career. All the songs were produced by 18-year-old Slovenian producer Emiljo Albert Cassagrande. In March 2017, Emiljo sent his beats to Fredro Starr and hoped for further cooperation. Fredro immediately appreciated the experience of the young beatmaker, and from the following month began work with his cousin Sticky Fingaz on the new album "Black Rock". Fredro and Sticky re-recorded their 10-year-old acappellas over new music from Emiljo. Then they pulled up to the project other rappers – Sick Flo (from Atlanta), Snak the Ripper (from Canada) and DJ Nelson (from France). In late July they were joined by two rappers from New York: Skyzoo and R.A. the Rugged Man. The vocals that Optimus (also known as Jordy Towers) recorded in 2008 was decided to remain unchanged.
The inspiration for this new album came from their 1993 "Judgement Night" track with Brooklyn's hardcore punk/heavy metal fusion band Biohazard which was the lead single on the influential Judgment Night movie soundtrack, where hip-hop meet rock in many of its various forms. [12]
"Ima F*ckin Rockstar" is the first single from "Black Rock" featuring Skyzoo was released on January 30, 2018. The single was premiered on XXL (magazine), where Fredro tells the story about the song: [13]
"...We linked with Skyzoo after we heard the song 'Bamboo' on his Peddler Themes EP; he was basically paying homage to [my] character in the movie Strapped"
The second single "O.D." featuring R.A. the Rugged Man was released on February 14, 2018. The single was premiered on HipHopDX [14]
Onyx released three videos from the first version of "Black Rock" album: "Neva Goin' Bac" (2008), "Black Rock (U Know Wht It Iz)" (2009), "The Real Black Rock" (2009). Another video for the song "Blinded By The Light" is still unreleased. The video was shot by Preston Whitmore in the Mojave Desert, California on April 26, 2009. At that time, the song had another producer, Desmond "DSP" Powell, which is credited as co-producer on this album.
Onyx released visuals for the title track "Black Rock" in March 2018. Video was premiered on XXL (magazine). [15] A new video from Onyx for the song "Black Rock" reminds the movie "Kazaam" (1996), where a young boy with the help of boombox woke up a black genie, played by the basketball player and rapper Shaquille O'Neal. The role of the genies was played by Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz, but instead of a boombox they have been held captive for many years by the Marshall's guitar amplifier, which the young girl connected to the guitar, and made a real hip-hop party with Onyx.
# | track | featured guest(s) | producer(s) | length |
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01. | "Onyx!!" | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 0:28 | |
02. | "Black Rock" | DJ Nelson | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 2:54 |
03. | "What U Want from Me" | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 2:42 | |
04. | "Blinded by the Light" | Optimus | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 3:42 |
05. | "Ima F*ckin Rockstar" | Skyzoo | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 3:05 |
06. | "Lighters Intro" | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 0:21 | |
07. | "Lighters" | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 3:11 | |
08. | "Greatest Day" | Optimus | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 3:02 |
09. | "O.D." | R.A. the Rugged Man | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 3:04 |
10. | "Love Is a Gun" | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 3:54 | |
11. | "Point Em Out" | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 2:45 | |
12. | "Chasing the Devil" | Optimus, Sick Flo, Snak the Ripper | Emiljo Albert Cassagrande | 6:02 |
Black Rock
Songs that were recorded in 2008–2009 during the Black Rock sessions but cut from the final album:
Onyx is an American hardcore hip hop group from New York City, formed in 1988 by Fredro Starr, Suavé and the late Big DS. Sticky Fingaz joined the group in 1991.
Bacdafucup is the debut album by American hip hop group Onyx, released on March 30, 1993, by JMJ Records, Rush Associated Labels and Chaos Recordings. The album was produced by Randy Allen, Chyskillz, Jam Master Jay and Kool Tee.
All We Got Iz Us is the second album by American hip hop group Onyx, released on October 24, 1995, by JMJ Records and Rush Associated Labels. The album was produced by Onyx. The album features guest appearances from rap group All City and rapper from Queens, Panama P.I.
Shut 'Em Down is the third album by American hip hop group Onyx, released on June 2, 1998, by JMJ Records and Def Jam. The album was produced by Keith Horne and Self, with help from DJ Scratch of EPMD, Bud'da and Latief. The album features guest appearances from Onyx's affiliate X1, DMX, a then-unknown 50 Cent, Still Livin from Gang Green, All City, Mr. Cheeks, Wu-Tang Clan, N.O.R.E., Big Pun and others.
Bacdafucup: Part II is the fourth album from rap group Onyx, released on July 9, 2002, by Koch Records. The album was produced by Davinci, DR Period, Havoc, Self, Ant Boogie, Co-Stars, Scott Storch. The album features appearances by American rappers X1, Still Livin', Versatile, Platinum Plus and Felisa Marisol.
Fred Lee Scruggs Jr., better known by his stage name Fredro Starr, is an American rapper and actor best known as a member of the hardcore rap group Onyx. Fredro Starr was discovered by the late hip hop star Jam Master Jay of Run-D.M.C. who signed Onyx on his label JMJ Records. Onyx went on to release three top selling albums before Fredro began his solo career. As a part of Onyx, Fredro Starr was nominated as "Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist" on American Music Awards of 1994 and won "Best Rap Album" on 1994 Soul Train Music Awards.
Kirk Jones, better known by his stage name Sticky Fingaz, is an American rapper, record producer and actor best known as a member of multi-platinum hardcore rap group Onyx.
Black Trash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones is the debut solo studio album by Onyx member Sticky Fingaz, released on May 22, 2001, by Universal Records. Scripted like a movie, the concept album portrays the fictional character Kirk Jones, a felon just released from prison who is now struggling to come to terms with life outside jail.
Tyrone Taylor, better known by his stage name Sonny Seeza, or previously as Suavé and Sonsee, is an American rapper, record producer, DJ and actor best known as a member of multi-platinum hardcore rap group Onyx.
"React" is a song by American hip hop group Onyx. It was released on June 2, 1998 by JMJ Records, Rush Associated Labels and Def Jam as the third single from Onyx's third album, Shut 'Em Down. The song featured Onyx affiliates X1, Bonifucco and Still Livin' and then-unknown 50 Cent in his first official appearance on a song.
"Live Niguz", also known by its censored title "Live!!!" is a song by American hip hop group Onyx. It was released on July 18, 1995 by Def Jam, Rush Associated Labels and JMJ Records as a single from Def Jam's The Show: The Soundtrack and as the first single from Onyx's second album, All We Got Iz Us.
"Last Dayz" is a song by American hip hop group Onyx. It was released on October 3, 1995 by JMJ Records and Rush Associated Labels as the second single from Onyx's second album, All We Got Iz Us.
"The Worst" is a song by American hip hop groups Onyx and Wu-Tang Clan. It was released on December 23, 1997 by Tommy Boy as a single from Tommy Boy Records's Ride and as the first single from Onyx's third album, Shut 'Em Down.
The discography of American hardcore hip hop group Onyx consist of 13 studio albums, 1 collaborative album, 1 EP, 8 compilation albums, 22 soundtracks and 60 singles. Eight singles of the group were in the top ten of the Billboard charts. The group is best known for their platinum-certified hit "Slam".
The discography of American hardcore rapper, record producer, actor and author Fredro Starr, best known as a member of multi-platinum hardcore rap group Onyx, consists of 4 solo studio albums, 3 compilation albums, 4 soundtrack albums, 14 singles.
The discography of Sticky Fingaz, American hardcore rapper, record producer, actor, film director, film editor and writer, best known as a member of multi-platinum hardcore rap group Onyx, consists of 2 solo studio albums, 2 compilation albums, 3 soundtrack albums, 13 singles.
#WakeDaFucUp is the sixth studio album by American hip hop group Onyx, released on March 18, 2014 by Goon MuSick. The album is entirely produced by Snowgoons. The album features guest appearances from Sean Price, Makem Pay, Papoose, Cormega, Dope D.O.D., Reks, Snak the Ripper and ASAP Ferg.
Chylow Parker, known by the stage name Chyskillz, was an American record producer, DJ, musician, rapper and a member of multi-platinum hardcore rap group Onyx.
Shotgunz In Hell is a collaborative studio album by American hardcore hip hop group Onyx and Dutch hardcore hip hop group Dope D.O.D., released on May 29, 2017, by Onyx & Dope D.O.D. Records. Physical copies of the album became available on July 15, 2017. The album was produced by Dutch producers Tjibz, Nightwatch, Peter Songolo, Ezra, Bananaz and Chubeats, and Spanish producer Cookin' Soul. The album features appearances by American rappers Sick Flo, Snak the Ripper, Dope D.O.D.'s ex-member Dopey Rotten and DJ Nelson.
Bruce David Sandlin, better known by his stage name X1, was an American rapper best known in the 1990s as a member of Gang Green and affiliated with Onyx.