{"id":1030,"date":"2021-08-23T15:20:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-23T15:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2021\/2021\/08\/23\/new-york-series-onyx-struts-their-new-york-walk\/"},"modified":"2021-08-23T15:20:00","modified_gmt":"2021-08-23T15:20:00","slug":"new-york-series-onyx-struts-their-new-york-walk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2021\/2021\/08\/23\/new-york-series-onyx-struts-their-new-york-walk\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Series: Onyx Struts their New York Walk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There was a time in history where hip hop gave insight into the issues facing the Black race<\/a>. But as the infantile genre continued its ascendency into the mainstream during the mid-to-late 1990\u2019s, popular acts and record labels began shifting away from the raw, gutter and street sound of rap. Rather than focus on tales of the inner-city, lyrics began to reflect a more glamorous lifestyle, that was backed by a wardrobe to match<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Onyx never suffered from that conundrum. The Southside, Jamaica <\/a>outfit always seemed to know where their niche lied. They excelled in their raw, energetic, raucous, and lyrically inclined style of rap. Coming off a platinum-selling album and\u00a0high-charting single<\/a>, it would\u2019ve been easy for them to continuously chase commercial success.\u00a0Rather, the “Slam<\/a>” emcees stuck with what originally garnered them critical acclaim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their sophomore effort, All We Got Iz Us<\/em>, has been certified gold with over half-a-million sales yet, never reached the success of its predecessor. Nonetheless, the Jam Master Jay signees delivered several more classic hip hop records. The singles, \u201cLive Niguz<\/a>\u201d and \u201cLast Dayz<\/a>,\u201d have gotten their just due, but the anthemic \u201cWalk in New York\u201d best resonates with the parts of New York City many can\u2019t fathom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"onyx\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

According to New York City\u2019s crime database<\/a>, in 1993 (the year Onyx\u2019s debut album dropped) the city faced nearly 2000 murders, and over 85 thousand robberies. For better context, New York City is estimated to face only 468 murders in 2021, a substantial difference. In light, it is easy to see why Onyx\u2019s style, sound and lyrics reflected such lawlessness and aggression, those were the times! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their description of their hometown is more resemblant of a violence laden wasteland where ruthless aggression rules above all. Yet it\u2019s clear as day the pride each emcee exudes when characterizing their beloved New York City, for better or worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The title \u201cWalk in New York\u201d refers to the strut and swagger one from New York maintains as they walk, particularly when part of a larger ensemble. And as the proprietors of hip hop, New Yorkers held a certain panache when it came to the culture, taking pride in setting all the latest trends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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