Onyx Shut 'Em Down CD

Onyx: Fredro, Sticky Fingaz, Sonee Seeza.
Additional personnel includes: DMX, Lost Boyz.
Shut 'Em Down is officially the follow-up to All We Got Iz Us, but since that second album was largely forgotten, the record might as well have been a follow-up to Bacdafucup, the debut that briefly made Onyx a hip-hop sensation. Onyx haven't changed that much since then; their hardcore rhythms still hit hard, their lyrics are still profane and they still shout their lyrics as often as they rap. In short, they still make the oversized, near-parodic hardcore rap that made "Slam" a smash hit. Unfortunately, there isn't anything on Shut 'Em Down nearly as good as "Slam." There's nothing that's flat-out bad, on the other hand, but there's no denying that the horrorcore schtick wears a bit thin. At first, it sounds good to have Onyx back, but it soon becomes clear that they need to develop a new sonic direction, otherwise they will have shut themselves down. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Once again, it's the return of the madface, the three angriest MCs in hip-hop, Onyx. With their third album, they prove that despite starring roles in TV sitcoms and films, Onyx the rap group is here to stay. SHUT 'EM DOWN plays on the same topics as the last two albums, adding yet another volume to the horror rap collection.
Sonee Seeza, Fredro, and Sticky Fingaz exchange excited verses on almost every cut. On "Shut 'Em Down" which features DMX, the rappers close the case on phony MCs that dare to test their skills. "Onyx Vs. Wu-Tang" is a hype posse cut which includes verses from members of the Wu, and gives the two cliques a chance to coexist on the same track. Throughout, the production is hardcore straight-up, no chaser.Vibe (4/98, p.154) - "...This time their beats are slightly more delicate, but Onyx are anything but soft."
The Source (4/98, p.164) - 3.5 Mics (out of 5) - "...the bald-headed wonders....serves as an appealing reminder of why this Q-borough crew blew up in the first place."
Rap Pages (5/98, p.116) - 5 (out of 5) - "...whether you're looking to create an atmosphere of dark social conscience containing just the right notes to channel your anger or simply add to your anger or simply add to your Onyx collection, SHUT EM DOWN...is a welcome ode of fury and insight..."