ONYX Rates The Bars. Sticky Fingaz & Fredro Starr Slam A Few Peers (Video)
The group ONYX is known for its no-nonsense persona. Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr have built 25-plus-year careers off of confrontational music and attitudes to match. The crosstown Queens and Brooklyn cousins are the perfect guests for Rate The Bars. Whether you agree with them or not, these MCs aren’t afraid to slam their peers—even if they have no idea who it is that they are rating.
That’s what makes this episode interesting. Like many RTB guests, ONYX shows itself plenty of love. Fredro’s bars from Wu-Tang Clan collabo “The Worst,” Sticky’s “Throw Ya Gunz” rhymes, and Sonny Seeza’s “Shut ‘Em Down” selection all pull in mutual 5’s. However, the rappers discovered by Jam Master Jay dole out some interesting ratings to some peers, especially from NYC.
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Mr. Cheeks’ solo hit “Lights, Camera, Action!” may get it the worst. ONYX is not feeling the LB Fam selection, with Fredro handing the Lost Boyz front-man a 2, and Sticky halving that rating to a 1. Sticky says that the seductive rhymes won’t work. “[In] this generation, it might work. But as far as Rate The Bars, there’s really no bars there,” says Fredro. “It’s probably some sh*t I can’t relate to.” The duo is also hard on Pharoahe Monch’s “Rapid Eye Movement.” Sticky stumbles over a few words while reading the selection, acknowledging his slips. However, he rates the Organized Konfusion co-founder’s rhymes with a 2.5. Fredro is a bit kinder, going with a 3. Sticky admits that he has a real problem with the battle-spirited lyrics referencing grabbing rapper Ma$e by the thighs, a part of the body that he personally feels should always be off limits.
Although the two artists make several mentions about the new generation of rappers being softer in the chatter, they are kind. O.T. Genasis’ “Everybody Mad” grabs a 5 from Starr—who co-founded the Mad Face movement. The MC/actor also hands 4’s to Slim Jesus’ “Drill Time” and Hollow Da Don’s “Total Slaughter Battle” rhymes. Sticky is not feeling the detailed punchline from Da Don, and goes with a 3.5.
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This year, ONYX released Black Rock. That LP features R.A. The Rugged Man and Skyzoo, among others.