Onyx "Bacdafucup" (March 30, 1993)

Yikes! It's the attack of the bald heads! Get ready for Onyx, the new solid piece of musical phatness that I had to shoot the bootlegger for. I'm open and gone on these kids and I'm seriously killin' the batteries in my Walkman. "Bacdafucup! Bacdafucup," the new NYC rudeboy rush hour theme, is just the beginning of this mad excursion through the United States Ghetto. This ain't "gangsta," this is real. Mr. Sticky Fingers has the ill voice you will never forget as he puts a Tech-9 in your mouth and robs you of your props. His partner in crime, Fredro Starr, has his back, as the rest of bald-headed massive (Big DS and Sonny Ceasar) bring it to the table hard. Sawed-off pump jams, like the current underground single "Throw Ya Guns" or rowdy LP cut "Here and Now," will make you want to reach for the ski-mask and step, but before you troop to the bullpen, be advised that this album is not just rude. It is an extremely dope vision of ugliness that is not for the sensitive. When they're not pledging allegiance to the "U.S.G.," they're offending everybody but the bad boys with hardcore XXX-rated jams like "Black Vagina Finda" and "Suckin' The Next N!gga's D!ck." While the topics they kick are real enough, after awhile the b!tch-n!gga-b!tch lyrics and the frenzied screaming do become monotonous. Nevertheless, the lyrical chemistry between Sticky Fingers and Fredro Starr combined with the phat production work of Chyskills (Large Professor's old school homey) and Kool T blows into orbit and leaves you open for more." - The Source (March, 1993). Revisit the LP below...

Also from The Source (June, 1993) are these images...

Onyx "The Untold Story of Onyx" (Documentary)

Southside Queens' Onyx originally consisted of Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz, Sonny Seeza (Suave'), Big D.S and producer ChySkillz. Onyx was one of Hip Hop's biggest groups, spearheaded by the legendary DJ - Jam Master Jay of RUN DMC. Onyx defied the odds in 1993 and took an aggressive sound, style and movement to become platinum-plus. This documentary, The Untold Story of Onyx, was written and created by James "Kraze" Billings and highlights their career in music, television as well as in film. If you've seen the documentaries on Audio Two, Stezo, Blahzay Blahzay, Biz Markie and others, then you know what to expect. Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz are still representin' the Onyx brand as a group and in their solo efforts. Dig into the archives for some of those releases...

B.I.G. Ends Contract w/ Uptown Records (May 16, 1994)

From the internet archives, this is an OG contract between Biggie & Uptown Records. It states that as of May 16, 1994, Christopher Wallace p/k/a B.I.G.'s contract with Andre Harrell & Uptown Records was terminated. B.I.G. followed Puffy from Uptown over to Bad Boy Records. The contract states that he'd leave with the masters for 'Party & Bullshit' and 'Flip That Shit,' in exchange for $326,092.91, which constitutes all the costs associated with those records. It goes on to reflect that B.I.G. would be transferring the rights and obligations over to Arista Records, which handled distribution for Bad Boy Records. For those that don't know, 'Flip That Shit' was a track Biggie did with Naughty By Nature, Onyx and 3rd Eye in 1993. According to Fredro Starr, the cut was also originally for the Who's The Man soundtrack. These contracts were up for public auction some years back, not sure if they sold and for how much, but it's a nice piece of Hip-Hop history. Damn... $326K and those weren't even "hits," times have changed. Rest in Peace, The Notorious B.I.G. 

The First Annual "Source Awards" (April 25, 1994)

The 1st annual Source Awards were held on this day in 1994 at the Paramount Theater in NYC. Perhaps the most memorable moment in its first year was 2Pac and his Thug Life crew busting on stage to perform 'Out on Bail' while blatantly interrupting A Tribe Called Quest's acceptance speech for Artist of the Year (Group). It's been said that it was all a misunderstanding, but had it been televised, I imagine it would have caused even more ruckus. Matter of fact, had it been televised, perhaps Sticky Fingaz wouldn't have (allegedly, even though it's on Youtube) shot several rounds into the ceiling during Onyx's performance of 'Throw Ya Gunz.' In 1995, the Source Awards were televised and of course, it captured the classic Suge Knight moment dissing Puffy and Snoop exciting the crowd asking “The East Coast ain’t got no love for Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg?” I'm still wondering how Biggie won Lyricist of the Year over Nas in 1995, but I digress. Here is the list of winners in 1994: 

A Tribe Called Quest (Artist of the Year: Group) | Dr. Dre (Artist of the Year: Solo) | Wu-Tang Clan (New Artist of the Year (Group) | Snoop Doggy Dogg (New Artist of the Year (Solo) | Snoop Doggy Dogg (Lyricist of the Year) | Dr. Dre 'The Chronic' (Album of the Year) | Ice Cube 'Check Yo Self' (Video of the Year) | KRS-One (Live Performance of the Year) | Buju Banton (Dancehall Artist of the Year) | Wu-Tang Clan ‘Method Man’ (Single of the Year)  | Menace II Society (Motion Picture Soundtrack of the Year)  | MC Eiht in Menace II Society (Acting Performance of the Year)  | Mary J. Blige (R&B Artist of the Year)  | Dr. Dre (Producer of the Year)

'See, tonight, is the night, of all nights!' - 'Ol Dirty Bastard

Onyx "Bacdafucup" Classic Material (Album Review)

‘Bacdafucup’ was the debut album from the South Jamaica Queens group, Onyx (Fredro Starr, Sonny Seeza, Big DS (R.I.P.) and Sticky Fingaz); it was released on this day in 1993 via Jam Master Jay Records/Rush Associated Labels. The lead single was 'Throw Ya Gunz,' which hit the streets and mixshows hard in late '92 into early '93. I remember coppin' it on cassette single at The Wiz on Queens Boulevard, lol. The track was a hit in its own right, but when they followed it up with ‘Slam’ 6-7 months later, that’s when they were introduced to the mainstream audience. By then, fans knew to expect Sticky Fingaz as the anchor and for him to close out each track with his high energy, off the wall style. The bald-headed, black gear style was poppin' up everywhere; even pioneering groups like RUN DMC got down with it (and it confused the hell out of me). In 1994, at The Source Awards, Sticky Fingaz busted several shots into the ceiling during the intro to ‘Throw Ya Gunz.’ It was before IG, Twitter & Snapchat, but it was still a risky move. No gun was found when police later checked them backstage. Another day we'll discuss their second album 'All We Got Iz Us' and how that album & GZA's 'Liquid Swords' got us through the winter of '95. As a bonus, you can check the full 12" for 'See You In Hell,' below; it's Onyx rappin' over Rampage's dope 'Wild For The Night' beat.

Brian Coleman's Classic Material review in XXL...

Onyx "All We Got Iz Us" (The Source, 11/95)

"After an almost three year hiatus, Onyx has finally returned with their sophomore release, All We Got Iz Us. With such a long pause between LPs, many heads in the U.S.G. may be skeptical about their return. But any questions as to whether they could survive in an increasingly competitive market were quickly put to rest by "Live," the album's first single. Onyx still has clout. Their latest effort contains what most expected: anger, gun talk and violence. But in between the frustration and screaming, Onyx manages to discuss why they're mad. It begins with "Last Days," a song dealing with the confusion and corruption of everyday life in the U.S.G. Each member shines over a Beatminerish track that is concrete hard, yet butter smooth. Several other tracks will make the head nod, but "Most Def" will have the entire body moving. The song's ill track - a lethal melody backed with extra hard drums - goes perfectly with the crew's razor sharp lyrics." Cont'd below...

"Although the LP is packed with sure shots, there are a few sure misses...they definitely stand out as weaker representations of the group's efforts. All We Got Iz Us still shines due to the production direction. There are more sinister-smooth cuts as opposed to tracks that make you wanna slam. Lyrically, they're business as usual. Sticky Fingaz plays the lead role with able backing from Fredro and Suave. The trio have diminished the yelling, but maintained the trademark grimy voices. That factor - along with songs that actually have something to say - demonstrates Onyx's maturity and continued ability to separate themselves from the crowd." - The Source, 11/95.

Onyx "All We Got Iz Us" (Press Kit, 1995)

"All We Got Iz Us is the eagerly awaited follow-up to Onyx's ultra-high-energy platinum debut album, Bacdafucup. Featuring "Throw Ya Gunz" and the thrash-rap anthem "Slam," Bacdafucup escalated Onyx to the heights of international body-slamming mania and became one of the most talked about, most popular albums of 1992. Now, they're back and they're grimmier than ever. "We were in no rush to make this album," says Onyx's Fredro Starr. "We ate, we hibernated, and now we're coming back mad phat." Onyx is comprised these days of Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz, and Sonee Seeza (fka Suave). D.S., the fourth original member of the group, is no longer with them. "This is the armee," explains Sticky. "He went AWOL." Produced by the members of the group themselves, All We Got Iz Us represents a considerable artistic leap forward for Onyx. What hasn't changed is their commitment to telling the tales of their hood (Southside, Queens aka South Suicide, Queens) and their vertiginous pinballing between moods of black despair and raucous joy." Cont'd below...

"The album commences with a little skit in which a suicidally-inclined young man is encouraged to act out his dire plan on the strength of the reasoning that he'd be "betta off dead." It ends over an hour later with "Maintain," a keep-your-head-up, anti-suicide anthem, and in-between, on "Last Days," Sticky even manages to joke about the suicide option, "Think of takin' my life, I might as well / 'Cept they might not sell weed in hell." If any one moment can be said to set the overall tone for All We Got Iz Us, it is the "All We Got Skit," which includes the following chorus: 'These evil streets is rough / Ain't no one we can trus' / Either roll with the rush or get rushed / 'Cause all we got iz us!'" - Press Kit (1995). You can get more information in the press release and Onyx's bio below...

Onyx "Slam" (The Source, May 1993)

"After you've thrown your guns in the air and ripped out hearts and put them into rhymes, what is there left to do? Well, if you're Fredro, Sticky Fingers, Sonny Caesar and Big DS, the fun is just beginning. Pick a corner, build up speed, and just slam. With this one, Onyx is set to introduce the art of slam dancing to the youth of Black America. Crashing into each other and passing the mic back and forth, the hard heads attack the track's spare bass and drum sounds with a frenzied level of energy that picks up right where "Gunz" left off. The lyrics are hard and foul, and the shout-along chorus demands that "B-Boys make noise." Check out the official music video to "Slam" below...

"Once again, it is Sticky Fingers who comes off with the sickest, All-Madden performance. With vocal chords straining, he shrieks "I'm a B-Boy standin' in my B-Boy stance / Hurry up and give me the microphone before I bus' in my pants / The mad author of anguish / My language, polluted / Onyx is heavyweight and still undisputed." The carnage continues..." - The Source Magazine (May 1993).

Onyx "#WakeDaFucUp" (Album Stream)

#WakeDaFucUp is the sixth studio album from the legendary Southside Queens group, Onyx. The album is entirely produced by German production team/group, the Snowgoons. The 14-track offering features guest appearances by Sean Price, Papoose, Cormega, Reks, Snak The Ripper, A$AP Ferg, and more. (Update: In 2016, Onyx re-released the album as #WakeDaFucUp Reloaded with additional features from Ali Vegas, Nature, Steele of Smif-N-Wessun, Sadat X, Chris Rivers and Sicknature). While Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz make appearances on the album, the third member, Sonny Seeza, does not appear. As this was Onyx's first album in over a decade, Onyx takes their fans back to their traditional, hard, in-your-face brand of hip-hop with this album. Dig in below...