Grayskul

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]

Grayskul
Onry Ozzborn (left) and JFK Ninjaface (right)
Background information
OriginSeattle, Washington, U.S.
Genres
Years active2003–present
LabelsRhymesayers Entertainment, Fake Four Inc.
MembersJFK Ninjaface
Onry Ozzborn
Past membersRob Castro

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
  • Creature (2004)
  • Thee Adventures! (2004)
  • Deadlivers (2005)
  • Wand and the Gun (2005)
  • Name in Vain (2006)
  • Blood Sweat and Fears (2006)
  • Facefeeder (2007) (with Xperience)
  • Bloody Radio (2007)
  • Graymaker (2009) (with Maker)
  • Zenith (2013)

Singles
  • "Prom Quiz" (2005)
  • "Scarecrow" (2007)
  • "Mod Volatile" b/w "At the Time" (2009)

Guest appearances
  • Boom Bap Project - "War of the Roses" from Reprogram (2005)
  • Fakts One - "Set the Mood" from Long Range (2008)
  • The Insects - "Fear" from Gone (2009)
  • Sleep - "Hesitation Wounds" from Hesitation Wounds (2009)
  • IAME - "Tight" from I Am My Enemy (2009)
  • Sapient - "Cold How We Keep It" from Famine Friends (2009)
  • The Kid Espi and The Wright Family - "Am Flag" from Here and Happy (2010)

References
  1. "Rhymesayers Entertainment :: Grayskul". www.rhymesayers.com. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  2. "grayskul – A SEATTLE HIP-HOP BLOG". 206up.com. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  3. "Spreading the Grayskul word to the world". The Seattle Times. 2007-11-16. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  4. "Catching Up With Grayskul". Super Happy Wax. Archived from the original on 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
  5. "Grayskul". Fake Four Inc.
  6. Mudede, Charles (February 17, 2005). "Grayskul's 'Deadlivers' is Dark Matter for Dark Days". The Stranger.
  7. Stoneage, Daryl (May 2005). "Grayskul Deadlivers". Exclaim!.
  8. Patashnik, Ben (September 27, 2007). "Album Review: Grayskul - Bloody Radio". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  9. Scanlon, Tom (November 16, 2007). "Spreading the Grayskul word to the world". Seattle Times.
  10. Gonzalez, Jose (April 16, 2009). "Grayskul". Phoenix New Times.
  11. Marx, Nick (October 24, 2007). "Grayskul - Bloody Radio". Tiny Mix Tapes.
  12. Cole, Zach (November 22, 2009). "Grayskul & Maker - Graymaker". Potholes in My Blog.
  13. Cunningham, Jonathan (October 7, 2009). "Grayskul Gives Way to Blue - JFK and Onry finally add color to their typically dark palette". Seattle Weekly.
  14. Gugich, Chul (October 9, 2013). "Album Review: Grayskul - Zenith". Beats Per Minute.
  15. Mudede, Charles (December 4, 2003). "We Got Next - Grayskul Are the Future of Northwest Hiphop". The Stranger.
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