As they prepare to release Badafucup II, some people think that Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz and Sonny Ceasar of Onyx have bad attitudes.

The question isn’t whether they have bad attitudes, but whether they have the moxie to re-enter the hip-hop arena after an over two years away as a group.

During their 2-year absence the members of Onyx have been busy. Starr has over ten movie credits on his resume including a supporting role in the box office hit “Save The Last Dance” as well as a three years recurring role on the TV show “Moesha”. Starr also was praised for his 2001 album “Firestarr”. In addition to those considerable accomplishments he's also appearing in HBO’s new hit drama series “The Wire” and has several other movie deals in development. Starr has also started his own record label with his other Onyx members called OPM "Other People's Money".

In 2001, Sticky Fingaz released his solo album “[Black Trash] The Autobiography of Kirk Jones” Fingaz has a recurring role on the acclaimed TV series “The Shield” and will appear in a bevy of films that are scheduled for release this year.

SIXSHOT: What up Fredro, Fingaz...how are y’all brothas?
FREDRO: On top of my game, man...holding it down.
FINGAZ: I'm tight...what up with you?
SIXSHOT: I'm working hard and not making enough paper.
FREDRO: (laughs) I'm feeling that.

SIXSHOT: Tell me about BACDAFUCUP II
FINGAZ: We’re bringing it back to the streets, a lot of things that’s on the radio nowadays is candy-coated. I’ll be listening to radio and I want to hear the hard shit, but it don’t exist no more. We mixed it up to where music is at today and where I feel music is going today. It’s both. It’s not like we’re getting ahead of people. It’s like we’re right there with them.

SIXSHOT: Why so long a hiatus...I know each of you have worked on individual projects and have ventured into film and other things....why has it taken so long for the fans to hear from the original baldheads?
FREDRO: We've been handlin' our business. Making moves and making money.
FINGAZ: For sure. Putting in much work to forward this thing that we do. We been at this for ten years. Fam, hitting the studio, getting our deals and paper together, learning about other venues within Hip-hop. That's the whole purpose of creating "Other People's Money". We progressing and always moving forward (as he reaches over giving Starr some "two finga" dap in his best "Peeples" impression). Snap, Snap..Niggah what!

SIXSHOT: Onyx basically started hardcore hip-hop w/Bacdafucup Pt I. What's different on this new album? What can the hip-hop heads who were in grade school when "SLAM" stomped onto the scene expect from you now?
FREDRO: We coming to just fuck the game up (laughing)! We’re bringing it how we were bringing it 10 years ago. It’s a full circle.
FINGAZ: This new album is a continuation. Like there was no pause. We comin' in and knocking 'em out the box from the gate and takin' no prisoners.

SIXSHOT: The music industry and Hip-hop has been in a slump since 2000. Look at the Grammy's and all the other awards shows treatment of "true" Hip-hop. How has the time come for you to hit 'em over the head again?
FREDRO: I don't think Hip-hop was in a slump. I think the industry has just gotten fat on Hip-hop and it's slowed down. But, ain't no slump. I love this shit. If I wasn't getting paid I would still be in it. Hip-hop ain't the industry. It's us (taps his chest)...us..fam…you know.
FINGAZ: In hip-hop, it's about what you do. Puttin' in that work. Whether they’re giving awards or you got problems with your label...we had our label problems...but, we handled our business and kept stomping. We're here to leave that mark. Why just black up them eyes, I wanna break an arm as well. If you’re gonna hit somebody, then you might as well hit ‘em a hundred times. If not, keep your hands in your pockets.

SIXSHOT: Who do you have working the boards and doing production for Bacdafucup II?
FINGAZ: Havoc and X-1 on the “Hold Up,”
FREDRO: We kept the album pretty much in house, we could have ran out an tried to get a Neptune track or something. But, I'm picky. So, we kept the circle tighter than a dime on the production. But, you know we did have Mike City, Scott Storch and the DR Period hook up some boards.

SIXSHOT: With people in the industry like Chuck D encouraging brothas to get their hustle on in regards to bootlegging and holding a gun to the heads of the major labels, where does Onyx stand in regards to the distribution of your music online?
FREDRO: I'm all for a motherfucka makin' his paper, just don't be putting his hands in my pockets. We out to move forward, as long as you ain't pissin' in my pond it's all gravy and love.

SIXSHOT: Tell me about Other People's Money?
FINGAZ: Me and Fredro started it, OPM is our label. That was the one thing we said we would control once we were able...now we get paid for our studio time.
FREDRO: I got the name from Russell Simmons after we signed to Def Jam. He said to me "In business, ALWAYS use other people's money." I have always remembered that and that's the purpose of the name. We are about to start some mad shit.
FINGAZ: On my side I'm starting a company called M5. It stands for music,
movies, modeling, money, marketing, and we gonna take over the business in these five categories, you know what I mean? I also created the world's first hip-hop trivia board game. It's like, you know, we’re just trying to be innovative. We’re writing scripts, putting movies out. Not just acting in 'em, being behind them, trying to take it to the next level 'cause, you know, you only live once."

SIXSHOT: During your Hiatus, there has been many a young cat that has pooped onto the Hip-hop screen...dirty south and the Midwest have made their marks...who were you guys listening to before you went back into the studio?
FINGAZ: Everybody, man. Always banging somebody.
FREDRO: We basically listening to that underground sound and looking for that new flava. I listen for that hype off world shit.

SIXSHOT: What's coming up for Onyx? Solo projects?
FREDRO: Oh we got mad happenings going on. Movies, TV, and we're coming with an Onyx Metal album.
FINGAZ: Yeah, we're talking with Limp Bizkit, Lincoln Park. We're getting ready to set this shit off again, man!
FREDRO: We are promoting the album and setting up the upcoming tour and that will probably happen around August or September, but you gonna see the baldies everywhere, baby!

SIXSHOT: Well, I appreciate the time, fellas. Be safe and I'll see you on tour.
FREDRO: Good lookin out, fam. We out.
FINGAZ: Peace...get that BACDAFUCUP PT II!