When “ET” was released and graciously received, the vision of Danny Onionz began to take form. That year, my musical creations echoed the truths, journeys, and personal growth I experienced. My bond with Mac Miller’s music deepened, and like many fans, I felt our journeys mirrored each other.
On August 3rd, Mac’s soon-to-be Grammy-nominated masterpiece, “Swimming,” was released. With VIP neet and greet tickets in hand, I eagerly awaiting his tour featuring J.I.D. and Thundercat, I wanted to share with Mac how his art had influenced mine.
But life had other plans. On September 7, 2018, the news of Mac’s passing hit me like a freight train. I found myself at a nearby bar, paying tribute with a drink. Yet, tears welled up, a grief I’d never felt for a celebrity’s passing. Mac’s music had been my beacon in tough times, and it felt like losing a part of myself. Mac’s enduring message through REMember Music, an independent record label created by Mac in 2012 with a name dedicated to the passing of his close friend, was to always cherish the essence of music.
2019 was a year of exploration. Driven to live fully, honor creation, and shape my narrative, I journeyed from Chicago to Australia, Amsterdam, and beyond. My Australia trip, inspired by an Eminem concert, led to encounters with music legends like Paul Rosenberg, Denaun Porter, and WESTSIDE BOOGIE. With only “ET” under my belt, I introduced myself as Danny Onionz, the artist, setting forth an unpredictable journey.
The close of 2019 brought challenges. My passport was frozen upon returning from Amsterdam, a foreboding sign of the looming pandemic. 2020 was an unsettling year; empty Chicago streets, global unity after George Floyd’s tragic death, and personal losses—including my cousin to COVID and my dad’s prolonged battle with the virus—stalled my creativity.
A year post Mac’s passing, I stumbled upon an instrumental by a Polish producer, Szur, on BeatStars. This rekindled my inspiration, and the demo for what would become “ON THE DAILY” was born and created same day it was released. Connecting with Szur via email a day later on September 7, 2019, our synergy was palpable. Songs flowed naturally, not penned down but emerging from deep within. Prioritizing honesty and growth over fame led to organic compositions. Recognizing this synergy with Szur and our shared vision, I vowed to present these songs in their finest form, as suggested by the DJ Booth article on “ET.”
Come January 2023, it was my “RTO” moment. While many equate “RTO” to the global “return to office” post-pandemic, for me it had a dual significance. In tech terms, “RTO” means “recovery time objective” – the time to bounce back post a setback. It epitomized my comeback to the music scene after a hiatus, marking my return to the hip-hop office.