Shifftee

Last updated
"Shifftee"
Shifftee.jpg
Single by Onyx
from the album Bacdafucup
B-side "Bichasniguz"
ReleasedAugust 30, 1993 [1] [2]
Recorded1992; Soundtrack Studios, NYC
Genre hardcore rap, East Coast hip hop
Length3:26
Label JMJ Records
Rush Associated Labels
Chaos Recordings
Songwriter(s) Fred Scruggs
Kirk Jones
Tyrone Taylor
Chylow Parker
Producer(s) Chyskillz, Jam Master Jay
Onyx singles chronology
"Slam"
(1993)		"Shifftee"
(1993)		"Live!!!"
(1995)
Music video
"Shifftee" on YouTube

"Shifftee" is a song by American hip hop group Onyx. It was released on August 30, 1993 by JMJ Records, Rush Associated Labels and Chaos Recordings as the third single from Onyx's debut album, Bacdafucup . The song was about being grimy and having that echo into a myriad of life situations.

Contents

Produced by Chyskillz and Jam Master Jay, "Shifftee" was not as successful as the first two singles, but it still managed to make to five different Billboard charts, peaking at 2 on the Hot Rap Singles.

The song was sampled by several rap artists including Mad Skillz, Raekwon, Marco Polo and Noreaga.

Background

In an interview with HipHopDX Fredro Starr revealed the concept of the song: [3]

"...The concept basically underlined what Onyx is. Onyx is the shiftee, low down, gritty, and grimy. So we made a song about it. We represent the struggle, we represent the out crowd, the dudes who can’t get in the club, the guys who got to sneak in the club, bumrush the door. Those dudes."

The single also included a remix of the song named "Shytizon Remix". This remix was made by a Jam Master Jay's friend, Dex.

Music video

The music video was directed by Parris Mayhew, known in the past as guitarist and songwriter of Cro-Mags. Drew Stone's production company Stone Films NYC was a producer of this video. The video was filmed on 42nd Street (Manhattan), NYC on June 3, 1993, and was premiered on The BOX on August 30, 1993. [4] [5] Director Parris Mayhew made two versions of the video: censorship and explicit. The explicit version begins with the fall of the Onyx logo with the inscription "Throw Ya Gunz", and the video itself begins with riots on the street: two groups of people run on each other from the opposite sides, and eventually they faced. The censorship version begins with neon signs indicate a pornographic theater. Onyx performs on the street near the signs as people around them jump around and dance. [6] In an interview with HipHopDX Fredro Starr said that Lyor Cohen came up with the idea of using $3,000 multi-colored jackets in the video: [7]

"...Lyor Cohen, President of Def Jam said, "Yo I'm gonna take y’all to this store, and I’m gonna get y'all some ill shit to wear!" We were like aight whatever, and we went to the store and the jackets we had in the "Shiftee" video was 3G's a piece."

Director Parris Mayhew also added that Lyor Cohen came up with idea how to shoot one scene with Sticky Fingaz and originally the video had to come out in black and white footage:

"...I do remember Lyor had a cool idea to incorporate in the video which I did shoot. He wanted Sticky lying on the ground face rapping. And the jackets were amazing, although after we shot it there was a lot of talk about how the jackets were "not Onyx" and they asked to make the footage black and white which I fought and ultimately it stayed in color.."

Parris Mayhew told that Fredro Starr was a screenwriter of one scene, which was later cut out by the decision of Russell Simmons:

"...I wrote the treatment of my idea for the video (just like I did for "Slam") and that's what we shot. I remember Sticky saying "I loved the line in the treatment, "like being on acid in a riot". The group did contribute one idea, a narrative scene with a white family at dinner serving pork. The child refuses to eat the pork and it is revealed he has a mad face tattoo. We did shoot Fredro's concept, to play at the beginning of the video but Russell said, "cut that out." So I did. The rest of the video was my concept. Great group, great song, great video."

Appearance on television

Appearance in movies

Single track listing

A-Side

  1. "Shifftee" (Radio Mix)- 3:27
  2. "Shifftee" (Shytizon Remix)- 3:28
  3. "Shifftee" (Spikinspan Remix)- 3:28
  4. "Shifftee" (Acapella)- 2:32

B-Side

  1. "Shifftee" (Instrumental)- 3:26
  2. "Shifftee" (Instrumental Remix)- 3:28
  3. "Bichasniguz" (LP Mix)- 3:54
  4. "Bichasniguz" (Instrumental)- 3:54

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1993)Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 [13] 92
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard) [14] 52
US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard) [15] 2
US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) [16] 14
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard) [17] 41
US Top 100 R&B Singles ( Cashbox ) [18] 49
US Top 100 Pop Singles ( Cashbox ) [19] 84
US Top 30 Rap Singles ( Cashbox ) [20] 4
US Gavin Rap Retail Singles ( Gavin Report ) [21] 14
US Mix Show Movers (Hitmakers) [22] 23

Related Research Articles

Onyx (hip hop group)

Onyx is an American hardcore hip hop group from South Jamaica, Queens, New York City, formed in 1988 by Fredro Starr, Suavé and the late Big DS. Sticky Fingaz joined the group in 1991.

<i>Bacdafucup</i> 1993 studio album by Onyx

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 Chyskillz, Jam Master Jay and Kool Tee.

<i>All We Got Iz Us</i> 1995 studio album by Onyx

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.

<i>Shut Em Down</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Onyx

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.

<i>Bacdafucup: Part II</i> album by Onyx

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 hardcore rapper, record producer, actor and author, best known as a member of multi-platinum 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.

Tyrone Taylor, better known by his stage name Sonny Seeza, or previously as Suavé and Sonsee, is an American hardcore rapper, record producer, DJ, actor, best known as a member of multi-platinum hardcore rap group Onyx.

<i>Firestarr</i> 2001 studio album by Fredro Starr

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<i>Cold Case Files: Vol. 1</i>

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React (Onyx song) 1998 single by Onyx featuring 50 Cent, Bonifucco, Still Livin and X-1

"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 a then unknown 50 Cent in his first official appearance on a song.

Throw Ya Gunz 1992 single by Onyx

"Throw Ya Gunz" is the first single by American hip hop group Onyx from their debut album, Bacdafucup. It was released on November 27, 1992 by JMJ Records, Rush Associated Labels and Chaos Recordings. Produced by Chylow Parker, "Throw Ya Gunz" was a success and made it to four Billboard charts, including #1 on the Hot Rap Singles for two weeks. The song achieved even greater success in the UK, where it peaked at #34 on the UK Top 40 in 1993.

Slam (Onyx song) 1993 single by Onyx

"Slam" is a song by American hip hop group Onyx. It was released on May 11, 1993 by JMJ Records and Rush Associated Labels as the second single from Onyx's debut album, Bacdafucup. The song introduced slamdancing into hip-hop.

Live Niguz 1995 single by Onyx

"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 1995 single by Onyx

"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 (Onyx and Wu-Tang Clan song) 1997 single by Onyx and Wu-Tang Clan

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Shut em Down (Onyx song) 1998 single by Onyx featuring DMX

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The discography of American hardcore hip hop group Onyx consist of 9 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".

Fredro Starr discography Discography

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.

Chyskillz Musical artist

Chylow Parker, known by the stage name Chyskillz, was an American record producer, beatmaker, DJ, hardcore rapper, and a member of multi-platinum hardcore rap group Onyx.

Bruce David Sandlin, better known by his stage name X1, was an American rapper, best known as a member of New York City-based hip hop group Gang Green and an affiliate of Onyx.

References

  1. ↑ "Copyright Encyclopedia - Shifftee by Onyx". copyrightencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  2. ↑ "ONYX - Shifftee (JMJ/RAL/Chaos) (Gavin Report) September, 1993" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  3. ↑ "Onyx - Revisits "Shiftee" For Throwback Thursday [June 19, 2014]". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  4. ↑ "Copyright Encyclopedia - Shifftee by Onyx". copyrightencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  5. ↑ "Billboard Magazine September 11, 1993 - The Box adds Onyx "Shifftee" for the week ending September 4, 1993" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  6. ↑ "Onyx: Shifftee (1993)". imdb.com. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  7. ↑ "Onyx - Revisits "Shiftee" For Throwback Thursday [June 19, 2014]". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  8. ↑ "World Industries - New World Order (1993)". skatevideosite.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  9. ↑ "New World Order-World Industries (1993)". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  10. ↑ "Stene 6-1 (2011)". skatevideosite.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  11. ↑ "Stene 6-1 (2011)". vimeo.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  12. ↑ "Shifftee by Onyx". whosampled.com. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  13. ↑ "Hot 100 (Billboard) October 16th, 1993". billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  14. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) October 16th, 1993". billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  15. ↑ "Hot Rap Songs (Billboard) October 16th, 1993". billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  16. ↑ "Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) October 16th, 1993". billboard.com. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  17. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard) October 16th, 1993". billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  18. ↑ "Top 100 R&B Singles (Cashbox) October 23, 1993" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  19. ↑ "Top 100 Pop Singles (Cashbox) October 30, 1993" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  20. ↑ "Top 30 Rap Singles (Cashbox) November 20, 1993" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  21. ↑ "Gavin Rap Retail Singles (Gavin Report) November 12, 1993" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  22. ↑ "Street Sheet (Hitmakers Magazine) October 22, 1993" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
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