Black Rock is the seventh studio album by American rap group Onyx, released on February 16, 2018, via X-Ray Records.
The album features appearances by American rappers Optimus (also known as Jordy Towers), Skyzoo, R.A. the Rugged Man, Sick Flo, Snak the Ripper and DJ Nelson In late 2002, Onyx decided to record a new rap-rock album with live instruments and hip-hop drums.
"In 2008, Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz met a young talented singer Optimus (also known as Jordy Towers), who featured on 3 songs for the album "Black Rock": "The Greatest Day of My Life", "Chasing The Devil" and "Blinded By The Light" and even starred in a video for the last song.
But the album's release was postponed because of Damon Dash, one of the three founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, who together with Ohio-based rock duo The Black Keys with the participation of New York City-based rappers like Mos Def, Billy Danze, Q-Tip and RZA released an album called "Blakroc" in late 2009 (a collaboration of rap and rock), thus destroying the plans of Onyx.
A week later, on September 21, on Angela Yee and Leah Rose's "Lip Service" radio show on Shade 45, Onyx spoke about this:[10][11][12] "...Niggas is biting the whole fuckin' movement", Fredro Starr explained.
Onyx mixes hardcore vocal delivery with heavy guitar riffs to create the most aggressive release of the group's career.
Fredro immediately appreciated the experience of the young beatmaker, and from the following month began work with his cousin Sticky Fingaz on the new album "Black Rock".
Then they pulled up to the project other rappers – Sick Flo (from Atlanta), Snak the Ripper (from Canada) and DJ Nelson (from France).
"Ima F*ckin Rockstar" is the first single from "Black Rock" featuring Skyzoo was released on January 30, 2018.
The single was premiered on XXL (magazine), where Fredro tells the story about the song:[14]"...We linked with Skyzoo after we heard the song 'Bamboo' on his Peddler Themes EP; he was basically paying homage to [my] character in the movie Strapped"The second single "O.D."
The role of the genies was played by Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz, but instead of a boombox they have been held captive for many years by the Marshall's guitar amplifier, which the young girl connected to the guitar, and made a real hip-hop party with Onyx.