Immersed in the culture of Hip Hop since early childhood, Slate Stone, began expressing his love for music. Through his experience with producing, writing and performing, Slate has evolved himself into a very talented and well-balanced artist. Known for his creative wordplay and razor-sharp lyricism, Slate Stone has proven himself proficient in the world of Hip-Hop. Slate’s 10-year dedication to his craft has been his most valuable asset. A Texas native, Slate has been playing the piano and singing for his church since the young age of 9. He is also a skilled drummer and accomplished guitar player. Known as one of the best rap/hip-hop acts in the West Texas region, Slate Stone’s skills, from start to finish, are recognized through his high level of intensity and lyrical genius. In a recent interview with Study Breaks Magazine, Slate Stone was asked about his ardor for the industry, he had this to say: “I wanna show the music industry what it really takes to get recognized and respected”, Slate said. “You can’t just put a MySpace page up and expect that to make your career. You gotta sell yourself and if you’re any good, your craft will follow. You have to create a compelling impact -- it’s all about the hustle and dedication to music.” Slate Stone is currently building his Sky Skrape brand which will offer services in film/video, clothing, models, calendars, and all aspects of musical entertainment.  Slate has toured with Mike Jones, Bo Hagen, Residue (Rock Band), Ying-Yang Twins and Paul Wall, to name a few. With his influences ranging from Notorious BIG and Common, to Black Thought and Jay-Z, it’s no wonder this producer turned rapper is primed for the big-time.  #1Thou #SCarmichael

illsaye, out of Toledo, Oh

I make my music...


In 1993, years before anyone told ya’ to “get up off them goddamn diamonds”, South Jamaica, Queens, craziest Bal-Hed sons, ONYX, were already busy takin’ some of the Golden Era’s loot and running with it to new heights, stamping the term “hardcore” in its darkest terms upside hip hop’s head with their seminal, trailblazing platinum debut, Bacdafucup.

 

The iconic cover image of four bald, angry-lookin’ niggas, their legendary “MadFace” logo, a shoulder-strapped automatic and a menacing boot-tread took rap to a world that could “Slam” in an era where even looking at someone wrong at a rap show could get you gone. Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz, SonSee and the late brother Big DS didn’t break the rules: they scared them the fuck away.

 

Twenty years and several full-length underground classics later, there is still nothing so raw in live rap as getting tossed into the barrier by the smiling, sweating, maniacal fans swarming the pit, to find yourself face-to-face with the ever-Mad Faced, ever Bal-Heded ‘Dro and Sticky (and this summer, on the Rock the Bells tour, Sonsee).

 

Face to face with loud, abrasive greatness, you might just find yourself lucky enough to embrace a boot to the temple when Sticky stage-dives, or swimming with the sharks to make waves for the crowd surfers while you “Throw Ya Gunz”.

 

ONYX made boom bap gangsta, gave metal street cred, and exposed the kinship of hip hop and punk rock cultures to a wider global audience on the strength of their delivery and the look in their eye that said this was no gimmick, motherfucker – all under the guidance of their mentor and producer, the departed architect Jam Master Jay.

 

With the Snowgoons-produced Cuzo LP hot on the way and the custom-built hybrid project Black Rock in the aisles and their newly-minted international “100Mad” click growing stronger, 2013 sees ONYX bring it back-da-fuck up in your mad face. Watch out, ‘cuz they’re coming for head-blood. 


Bio by Darcy MacDonald

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