Venom - Ruff N Tuff II (Behind Bars) - 2026

 

LP - 2026 - Marvel Records 

"Ruff N Tuff II" is a cinematic hip-hop album that tells the story of a producer imprisoned for the "crime" of sampling... stripped of his machine, his freedom and nearly his confidence. Set within a metaphorical and physical prison, the project explores artistic struggle, self doubt, and the long journey toward creative liberation.

Inside, he's not alone. The album brings together a powerful lineup of U.S. artists who each add their voice to this musical narrative : Rell, Teflon (M.O.P. camp), Fredro Starr (Onyx), Sauce Money, Bankai Fam, Chyna Streetz, Reef The Lost Cauze, Awon, Monica Blaire, Tash (Tha Alkaholiks) and Ca$ablanca.

More than just a collaboration between a French producer and American MCs, "Ruff N Tuff II" plays like a full length audio movie... built on unorthodox sampling, sharp scratches and diverse flows. After seven years in the making, the album reflects Venom's personal battle to break free from mental limitations and prove he could go beyond the success of the first installment.

Available on Vinyl & CD

Order 

Tek-9 - Wake Up Dead Nigga - 1992

There are plenty of mysteries in the 90s hip-hop world...a lot of unreleased material, unknown groups, unreleased demos or unknown MCs... TEK-9 from Queens, NY is one of them. All I know about this artist is that he was a member of the group 4 Deep, who released an excellent EP in 1992 on the Goldfinger Records label, and he also released a six-track tape titled "Wake Up Dead Nigga" in 1992 on that same label.

This is the one we're going to talk about now. The tracks included on this cassette are "Difficult Dialect", "Murder-ah", "Blunt Music" featuring 2 other rappers called Buddah Bless and D. Grimm, "Wake Up Dead Nigga"(Original & Alternative version) featuring Onyx. All productions were handled by Chylow Parker a.k.a Chyskillz (RIP), who was also a member of 4 Deep, before becoming affiliated with Onyx. 

Fredro Starr - Chyskillz (RIP) - Suave - Big DS (RIP) & Sticky Fingaz

I don't know if we can consider Tek-9 as being affiliated with the South Ozone Park-based group but it certainly looks that way. We can consider the track "Wake Up Dead Nigga" as, in a way, the original version of "Throw Ya Gunz" released by Onyx the same year, which is the first single from their debut album "Bacdafucup" entirely produced by Chyskillz. 

Another question came up when my man Tim Burton sent me this Rap Sheet magazine review from December 1993, which mentioned that the single "Murder Ah" was released on the Phat Wax Records label. The track "Blunt Music" and an unknown track titled "Kill The Master" also appear on this release.

By looking a bit further, we found a magazine ad about this single on that label, including another unknown track titled "Niggaz Can't F*#% With This".

No doubt that it was planned, but we don't know if it ever really came out... As for me, I've never seen it with my own eyes. Maybe someone out there has ? 

After that, Tek-9 released "The Beyond" in 1994 with D. Grimm & Buddah Bless on Goldfinger Records, and then vanished from the NYC hip-hop scene, with no further releases or guest appearances. As for the "Wake Up Dead Nigga" cassette, I believe very few copies were ever made, so if you ever come across one, don't hesitate for a second. 

Mad Props to Hakan Dougpark for the tape rip & Tim Burton for the magazine review. Peace

V Knuckles x Phoniks - The Next Chapter - 2023

LP - 2023 - Don't Sleep Records 

Boston-based emcee V Knuckles (of Natural Born Spitters) and beatmaker Phoniks deliver their collaborative album entitled "The Next Chapter", which signifies Knuckles' journey as he embraces a new life chapter, settling down with his fiancé and welcoming a baby boy into the world. This narrative unfolds through beats and rhymes, capturing his evolution and newfound inspiration. The album features Inspectah Deck, Fredro Starr, Termanology, Edo. G, Reks, Awon, Flash, and more...

Available on Vinyl & CD 

Pre-Order : Bandcamp / Don't Sleep Records   

Video : L'uZine Feat Onyx - On Va Les Pendre - 2023

Latest single delivered by the French crew L'uZine from Montreuil (93 - Paris) featuring Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz, taken from their album entitled "La 26ème Lettre" which is now available on Vinyl & CD 

New Videos :

Here is a batch of new videos recently dropped on youtube... Vice Souletric - "One Day" featuring the legendary Elzhi (of Slum Village) who also produces the track. SCARR and Planet Asia - "NC 2 FC" featuring Aurora, off their collaborative LP "Duffle Gods". DJ MUGGS - "Check In" featuring Jay Worthy from the album "Soul Assassins 3" and the last one, SmooVth - "Project Near You" featuring Fredro Starr, off the forthcoming SmooVth album "Project Near You" fully produced by Fredro Starr.

Documentary : The Untold Story of ONYX

Here is a documentary about the legendary group Onyx written and directed by James" Kraze" Billings (Kraze The King of Content).

"The Untold Story of Onyx, Who Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz, Sonny Seeza (Suave'), Big D.S and producer ChySkillz can never be imagined, their unique success story has to be lived out to the fullest. 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 Platinum plus. This documentary, written and created by James" Kraze" Billings, highlights their career in music, television and film."