Grayskul Explained

Grayskul
Origin:Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Years Active:2003–present
Label:Rhymesayers Entertainment, Fake Four Inc.
Current Members:JFK Ninjaface
Onry Ozzborn
Past Members:Rob Castro

Grayskul is an American hip hop duo based in Seattle, Washington, consisting of rappers Onry Ozzborn and JFK Ninjaface.[1] Since its formation in 2003, the group has released ten solo albums.[2] The duo often collaborate with artists from the Pacific Northwest hip hop collective Oldominion.[3]

History

In 2003, Onry Ozzborn and JFK, both members of the Pacific Northwest hip hop collective Oldominion, teamed up with bassist Rob Castro to form Grayskul. They recorded about 55 songs in 8 months at ATB Studios; these would eventually become the albums Creature, Thee Adventures! and Deadlivers.[4] After opening for Eyedea & Abilities, their music was brought to the attention of Rhymesayers Entertainment.[5]

Grayskul's label debut, Deadlivers, was released in 2005.[6] It featured guest appearances such as Canibus, Mr. Lif and Abstract Rude. The album also featured the song "Secret Wars", which featured the Oldominion emcees that had been in the group at the time.[7]

In 2007, Grayskul released their second album on Rhymesayers Entertainment, Bloody Radio,[8] this time with Onry Ozzborn going by the name Count Draven and JFK going by the name Count Magnus.[9] While this album excluded Rob Castro,[10] Cage, Slug and Aesop Rock provided guest verses.[11]

In 2009, Grayskul in collaboration with producer Maker released Graymaker on Taxidermy Records.[12] In an interview with Seattle Weekly, Onry Ozzborn said: "Of the albums we've done in the past, we've never had a whole project that's straight-ahead hip-hop ... People always say our stuff is dark, weird, bugged-out, but I think this one will catch people by surprise. [Maker's] beats in general made us write different. He uses more breakbeats, slower BPMs, so you'll be able to hear that."[13]

In 2013, Grayskul released Zenith on Fake Four Inc.[14]

Style and influences

Members of Grayskul cited Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein as an important influence.[15]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Guest appearances

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rhymesayers Entertainment :: Grayskul. www.rhymesayers.com. en. 2017-02-15. 2017-01-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20170131082807/http://www.rhymesayers.com/grayskul. dead.
  2. Web site: grayskul – A SEATTLE HIP-HOP BLOG. 206up.com. 31 December 2013 . en. 2017-02-15.
  3. News: Spreading the Grayskul word to the world. 2007-11-16. The Seattle Times. 2017-02-15. en-US.
  4. Web site: Catching Up With Grayskul. Super Happy Wax. 2008-08-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20080828072547/http://www.superhappywax.com/grayskul.php. 2008-08-28. dead.
  5. Web site: Grayskul. Fake Four Inc..
  6. Web site: Charles. Mudede. Grayskul's 'Deadlivers' is Dark Matter for Dark Days. The Stranger. February 17, 2005.
  7. Web site: Daryl. Stoneage. Grayskul Deadlivers. Exclaim!. May 2005.
  8. Web site: Ben. Patashnik. Album Review: Grayskul - Bloody Radio. Drowned in Sound. September 27, 2007. August 8, 2014. August 10, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140810131912/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/11275/reviews/2431228-. dead.
  9. Web site: Tom. Scanlon. Spreading the Grayskul word to the world. Seattle Times. November 16, 2007.
  10. Web site: Jose. Gonzalez. Grayskul. Phoenix New Times. April 16, 2009.
  11. Web site: Nick. Marx. Grayskul - Bloody Radio. Tiny Mix Tapes. October 24, 2007.
  12. Web site: Zach. Cole. Grayskul & Maker - Graymaker. Potholes in My Blog. November 22, 2009. August 8, 2014. August 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140809085323/http://potholesinmyblog.com/album-review-grayskul-maker-graymaker-2009/. dead.
  13. Web site: Jonathan. Cunningham. Grayskul Gives Way to Blue - JFK and Onry finally add color to their typically dark palette.. Seattle Weekly. October 7, 2009.
  14. Web site: Chul. Gugich. Album Review: Grayskul - Zenith. Beats Per Minute. October 9, 2013.
  15. Web site: Charles. Mudede. We Got Next - Grayskul Are the Future of Northwest Hiphop. The Stranger. December 4, 2003.

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