(Battle Royale)

If I had to think of all the great groups, artists from the 90s who have been thriving and growing their consistency and originality in the present day, is there a better answer than Onyx? In the last few years, you’ve had Fredro blow up in his production career, helping make dozens of solid projects, and then the group as a whole releasing banger after banger, not including the album they just dropped not even a month ago, and now this? 

THIS IS HOW YOU MAINTAIN A CAREER.

Anyway, this is a collaboration album between Oynx and French hip-hop group L’Uzine, and together they are featured by producers: 

-G High Djo

-Tony Toxik

-Stab

-Cenza 

-DJ Rolxx 

-Gash

-Permafrost

-Draw

-Fredro Starr

-DJ King Flow

-Effet Papillion 

-Chilly Gonzales

And man, this one definitely feels larger than life. I know I repeat the phrase a lot, but it definitely feels like it on this one because you have a real studio ‘Battle Royale’ taking place across this album. These two super groups going back and forth is like a free supply of adrenaline to the bloodstream and also provides the perfect example of the fact you don’t need to understand the language to catch someone’s infectious energy, passion, and aura on the beat! 

Even if Onyx wasn’t in English, there’s no way people could deny their ruthless power and intensity, and the same goes for these boys, French or not, they absolutely destroy the tracks with their flawless flow, precise tones, and rhythm across the tracks! The chemistry between the two acts is undeniable and makes you feel like you’re listening to a gang from two regions coming together in unity, which is a scary thought to witness in person, but on the musical side of things, it’s absolutely dope! 

On the production side of things, it’s just as giant as the MCs involved. We have big, bombastic beats and chords/strings that come together with sharp bass and gargantuan presence and surreal atmosphere that is the perfect battlefield for these two Titan collectives.

This ain’t the album to go for if you’re looking for a ‘sentimental’ or ‘thoughtful’ experience. Nah, fuck that, this is full-blown raw boom bap in your face, relentless tunes that don’t pretend to be anything but the savage sounds they are! 

This is 53 minutes of unadulterated madness, with each producer going pure chaos mode and bringing out the reckless intensity of the MC’s and possessing them with these rhythms that will kick your teeth in if you’re not ready to handle the heat! 

Warning. If you can’t handle the heat, don’t come in the fucking kitchen! But to the real ones, be ready to experience one of the greatest collaborative albums in years!

https://open.spotify.com/album/3lAQ6ADktTeYIR9Nt3utr5?si=3xiSbJWWTrmACQUWo2fqKQ