Memory Lane - Onyx

On any given day, while listening to music—whether sitting at my desk at work or driving to wherever in my car—chances are I'm listening to underground/independent Hip-Hop. It's not to say it's the best music in the world, but it's what suits me. However, don't get it twisted, underground/Indie is not synonymous with "substance" or "good". Like any genre of music, there is a fair share of greatness, mixed with complete and utter useless garbage.

In any regard, my recent focus has been on AOL Radio's '90s Hip-Hop channel. What Hip-Hop fan knows anything about anything can deny that the late '80s through late '90s were the shining moment of Hip-Hop? If they're intelligent, no one will deny that. In fact, they would probably get filled with nostalgia at the brink of discussion and start name-dropping their favorite artists and songs from the golden era of music (actually late '80s - mid '90s).

With that being said, I have reacquainted myself with one of my favorite groups of all time, Onyx. In the same respect as the Wu-Tang Clan, Onyx helped to pioneer East Coast Hardcore Hip-Hop with their debut album, Bacdafucup. The entire narrative of the album focuses on stick-ups, robberies, flexing your artillery muscles, and of course, the occasional sex talk.

Now, with the exception of Onyx and a very limited few, I've never been a huge fan of gang vocals in rap music, because most people have no real clue how to execute it properly, but Onyx get it done like a hardcore punk band, which is why they were able to team up with a band like Biohazard on more than one occasion (Judgment Night, Slam). When the chants come in at the end of a line delivery, it's not just to sound loud, or because members think they don't get enough mic time. No. The gang vocals not only add to the passion and energy of the crew, but they reinforce the brutal messages in the lyrics, adding extra emphasis to their dark, grimy street tales.

17 years later, Bacdafucup is still a gem, albeit others who followed over the years have attempted to one-up their predecessors. Few are memorable, but those mad face bald heads will forever be legends.

Do yourself a favor and listen to Bacdafucup, whether it's your first time or you're revisiting the album. Give yourself an opportunity to relive 1993. But as a fair warning, it is an extremely unrelenting, aggressive album.

Onyx - Throw Ya Gunz



Onyx and Biohazard - Judgment Night

Update of the American Fangs Update

In the last post I labeled the new American Fangs song as Pressure. Well, I did some sleuthing, and I believe from the list of songs the band has recorded, Future sounds most likely to be the title of this heavy gem. If you have the AF EP, or you have at least heard it (highly recommended), a few of the songs will look familiar. If you haven't listened to Future yet, check the video below.

American Fangs x Deftones

First off, thank you once again, American Fangs for funneling people over here to read my stuff. I appreciate it.

News Flash! The American Fangs x Deftones concert for today, April 27 at Club 101 in El Paso, TX has officially SOLD the F OUT! Once again, if you're in Texas, and you like American Fangs or Deftones, you should try to grab tickets to one of the two other shows this week in Corpus Christi or Mission.

I would go, but the Northeast is a long ways away from any part of Texas.

DO IT!

American Fangs

Have you heard of the American Fangs? You know, that band from Houston, TX. No…not them. The American Fangs! If you’ve read a past post of mine, then you would know I started following at the end of October of last year when they slid through Philly with Saul Williams on the Afro-Punk Tour.

I made a really bold move by purchasing the group's self-titled EP before actually seeing them perform, but I assumed I would like them anyway, and I was saving myself time and possibly a rush at the merch table later on in the evening. Well, I was right. I watched those guys tear up the stage, while after the show I listened to the EP on my way back home.

The very next day I was on the Fangs' Twitter page, and I let them know I gave them a little spin on my blog (this one). Well, they thanked me for it, and even reached out to me when they came back to Philly for their stint with State Radio. Regardless of the snowstorm that was taking place throughout the day, I braved the unforgiving interstate system and hit the Electric Factory for another great performance, even though I was late. After all, who ever starts a concert on time (I heard Wilco is very prompt)?

Since early January, the Fangs have been going through the numerous stages to release their debut full-length album. The band has taken road trips to and from New York City and back to Houston, rocked some shows at home, as well as in Louisiana, and are steadily knocking out step, after step, after step, and documenting it all with video.

Needless to say, I’m beyond excited for this band to drop some new work on the masses! Word on the street is that AF plans to do another tour this summer. In the meantime, the group is going out to support the Deftones Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday this week! Is that huge, or what? If you’re in Texas at all this week, be sure to nab some tickets to one of the few shows happening.

Be on the lookout for these guys. I guarantee they're going to be one of those groups me and a select few will know of in a few years when the rest of the world is just catching on. Do yourself a favor, and get with the program now. Nobody likes to have to catch up on a catalog of music. Nah uh.

Seriously...listen to them.

FREE MUSIC!

Support my homie from Minneapolis, FranzDiego.com, by copping his new EP! FranzDiego.com is a member of the Mpls, MN Hip-Hop group, Illuminous 3.

You can't go wrong with free music, right? It can't hurt. Who knows, you might become a fan.

Trust, he's dope.