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| origin = [[South Jamaica, Queens]], [[New York]]
| origin = [[South Jamaica, Queens]], [[New York]]
| instrument =
| instrument =
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]], [Hardcore hip hop]]
| occupation =
| occupation =
| years_active =1988–present
| years_active =1988–present
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| website = [http://www.onyxdomain.com/ www.onyxdomain.com]
| website = [http://www.onyxdomain.com/ www.onyxdomain.com]
| current_members = [[Fredro Starr]]<br>[[Sonny Seeza]]<br>[[Sticky Fingaz]]
| current_members = [[Fredro Starr]]<br>[[Sonny Seeza]]<br>[[Sticky Fingaz]]
| past_members = Big DS (deceased)<br>X1 (deceased)
| past_members = Big DS (deceased)
| notable_instruments =
| notable_instruments =
}}
}}

Revision as of 21:01, 10 February 2014

This article is about the American East Coast hardcore hip hop group from South Jamaica, Queens, New York. For the 1960s Cornish band, see The Onyx. For the Israeli DJ, see Onyx (DJ).
Onyx
OriginSouth Jamaica, Queens, New York
GenresHip hop, [Hardcore hip hop]]
Years active1988–present
LabelsJMJ, Def Jam
Koch
D3
Onyx Domain
MembersFredro Starr
Sonny Seeza
Sticky Fingaz
Past membersBig DS (deceased)
Websitewww.onyxdomain.com

Onyx is an American hardcore hip hop group from South Jamaica, Queens, New York. The group is composed of East Coast rappers Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr and Sonny Seeza (formerly Suavé and Sonsee, respectively). The late Big DS (Marlon Fletcher) was also a member, but left after the group's debut album.

History

Early career

The group was formed in 1988 and Onyx released its first 12" single, "Ah, And We Do It Like This", in 1990. The song revealed a strong jazz influence, noticeably more than in their later work. In 1991, Onyx was going to present a demo to Jam Master Jay at Def Jam, but Big DS and Sonee Seeza (then only known as Suavé) were in Connecticut at the time, so Fredro Starr called up his cousin Sticky Fingaz (who lived in Brooklyn). Once Sticky Fingaz joined the group, the group released Throw Ya Gunz in 1992.

Stickyfingaz with Italian rapper Duke Montana

After the track Onyx signed a recording contract with Def Jam and were promised an album which became 1993's Bacdafucup LP. The album met with great commercial success, including heavy airplay on radio and MTV for the single "Slam". Onyx also performed with Biohazard on the tune "Judgment Night", taken from the soundtrack album of the same name. Onyx also received critical acclaim, winning Soul Train's album of the year.

Big DS left the group during the recording of All We Got Iz Us because he felt he wasn't getting enough time on the microphone.[citation needed] In 1995, Onyx released their second album All We Got Iz Us. While the album was much less successful commercially, it proved to be a critical success. In the August 2008 issue of VIBE, All We Got Iz Us was listed as the best produced rap album of 1995 & one of twenty albums every fan of hip-hop must own.

The release was followed by another gap in albums, but the members remained in the public eye by appearing in several movies, including Clockers, Sunset Park (1996), and Dead Presidents (1995). Both rappers continue to appear in movies and television, appearing on the FX Network on The Shield and on CBS's CSI: Miami.

Onyx returned in 1998 with their third album Shut 'Em Down, which featured appearances from DMX, Lost Boyz, Raekwon, Method Man, Big Pun, Noreaga and a then-unknown 50 Cent. This album found critical as well as commercial success. The album produced two singles "React" and "Shut 'Em Down", the latter featuring DMX. After leaving Def Jam, the group returned in 2002 with Bacdafucup Part II and "Sa'ad Part 4" released on Koch Records, Followed by the 2003 release Triggernometry on D3 Entertainment.

Former member Big DS released one solo album after his departure from the group. On May 22, 2003 he died from complications from cancer.[1]

Later career

A new Onyx album, titled The Black Rock, was rumored for a 2006/2007 release but was not released, the album is now rescheduled for a release in 2014, with a new title 100% Mad.[2] In June 2008, Onyx released their debut DVD: "Onyx: 15 Years of Videos, History and Violence". The DVD contains every Onyx video digitally remastered with optional commentary, all solo videos, and over an hour of rare footage all the way back from 1992.

Onyx performed in 2009 at the 10th annual Gathering of the Juggalos. Onyx also performed in August 2012 at the 13th annual Gathering of the Juggalos in Cave-in-Rock, Illinois. In August 2012, Onyx also released their second compilation album, titled Cold Case Files Vol. 2. The album is unique in that it is only available from OnyxDomain.com; as the purchase is digital, all proceeds go to the group. On October 31, 2012 fresh from touring overseas, Onyx released the Official Video on YouTube from their first single off of the new album CUZO entitled, "Belly Of The Beast", the video was directed by Kevin KJ Johnson.[3]

In 2013, they were featured on fellow American rapper ASAP Ferg's debut studio album, Trap Lord.

Discography

Main article: Onyx discography

References

  1. ^ Onyx - Founding Onyx Member Dead After Cancer Battle - Contactmusic News. Contactmusic.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-18.
  2. ^ ONYX - BLACK HOODIE RAP Official Music Video YouTube.
  3. ^ Onyx "Cuzo" - Belly Of The Beast. Musikreform.com (2012-11-03). Retrieved on 2012-12-20.

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