Onyx & L’uzine – Battle Royale (Album Stream)

Since the golden era there has been thousands of new cats emerging on the US scene contributing to the hip-hop culture in their own way. Some of them had only one, but impactful album, some MC’s had several releases making them legends of the time, but some, like the Queens-made group Onyx, never stopped with the grind through all these years, releasing more 10 studio albums plus some collaborative projects, like the latest one, “Battle Royale”, done with the French group L’uzine.

Even though hardcore rap as this isn’t on the front covers as it used to be, Onyx‘ legacy is huge, worldwide, and collabs like these are one of major proofs of the statement. With the Europe’s hip-hop on the rise once again with many quality acts emerging from the old continent in the past 15 years, just like L’uzine, it’s no wonder this kind of joint project went into production since France has been on the scene almost as long as the US of A did, and they proved themselved a million times by now.

This trip to the hardcore world is no exception, and both sides did their part fantastically, counting 16 tracks in total which is a rarity nowadays. Those who dig this kind of ish they’ll find a fine release as it bangs on all fronts the hardcore scene dictates. The lyrics – check. The beats – check. The attitude – check. The atmosphere – check. The vibe – check. All’s here, and it perfectly stands behind the album’s name as you won’t find nothing lower than raw energy this two groups blast through the speakers. Needless to say, the 90s vibe is present throughout the whole project, but with an extra punch from the modern post-production so there’s not a lot to complain about other than a bit more diversity. but with this sub-genre you can’t be too picky.

All in all, once again, Onyx didn’t back down and neither did the crew from Montreuil. Maybe I’m a nostalgic head, but I missed projects like this one that we had 20-30 years ago. I’m not sayin’ there’s not any today, but there’s not many and as we all know, the US and France always had a special kind of connection in music since forever, and this album does nothing but proving it. Fantastique.

TRACKLIST:
01 • Intro [prod. G High DJo]
02 • Paris is Burning [prod. Tony Toxik]
03 • Let’s Get It [prod. Stab]
04 • Napoléon [prod. Cenza]
05 • Don’t Play Narvalo [prod. DJ Rolxx]
06 • Interlude
07 • They Coming [prod. Gash]
08 • Beaucoup Bucks [prod. Permafrost]
09 • Parasites [prod. Tony Toxik]
10 • Montreuil Queens [prod. Draw Beats]
11 • Skit
12 • Nord Stream2 [prod. Gash]
13 • Beat Da Shit Out Chu [prod. DJ King Flow]
14 • Sun Tzu [prod. Effet Papillon]
15 • Outro feat. Chilly Gonzales [prod. Chilly Gonzales]
16 • On va les pendre [remix] [prod. Soul Intellect; Alcynoos]