The Unusual
Encyclopedia
The Unusual is the second album by Artifacts
member El Da Sensei
. It was released in 2006 on Fat Beats Records.
rap tradition of Redman and Lords of the Underground
. The group developed a fan base of hardcore hip-hoppers, being graffiti
artists and hip-hop purists. El Da Sensei latest album is a continuation of the first two Artifacts albums. According the El, the album "stands for true hip hop."
El has said that the possibility of an Artifacts
reunion are low, considering the relative success he and Tame One
have had since both going solo.
says: "He manages to present his album with intelligent proportions, and like a fine wine, he will only get better with time."
Artifacts (group)
Artifacts is a hip hop group consisting of El Da Sensei, Tame One and DJ Kaos. They hail from Newark, New Jersey and made underground music that paid homage to the four elements of hip hop...
member El Da Sensei
El Da Sensei
El Da Sensei is an American rapper from Newark, New Jersey. During the 1990s he was a member of the influential hip hop duo, Artifacts.Since then he has released several solo albums to critical acclaim.-Discography:...
. It was released in 2006 on Fat Beats Records.
Background
Tame and El's graf-rap was well-received by underground audiences and continued in the New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
rap tradition of Redman and Lords of the Underground
Lords of the Underground
The Lords of the Underground are a hip-hop trio based in Newark, New Jersey. MCs Mr. Funke and DoItAll Dupré met DJ Lord Jazz when all three were undergraduates at Shaw University....
. The group developed a fan base of hardcore hip-hoppers, being graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
artists and hip-hop purists. El Da Sensei latest album is a continuation of the first two Artifacts albums. According the El, the album "stands for true hip hop."
El has said that the possibility of an Artifacts
Artifacts (group)
Artifacts is a hip hop group consisting of El Da Sensei, Tame One and DJ Kaos. They hail from Newark, New Jersey and made underground music that paid homage to the four elements of hip hop...
reunion are low, considering the relative success he and Tame One
Tame One
Rahem Brown, better known by his stage name, Tame One, is an underground rapper from New Jersey currently signed to the label Amalgam Digital. He was part of Artifacts, a popular rap duo with El Da Sensei. Which is rumored to be getting back together. He is also known for his collaboration with...
have had since both going solo.
Reception
Reviews were very positive, considering the El's lengthy hiatus: PopMattersPopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
says: "He manages to present his album with intelligent proportions, and like a fine wine, he will only get better with time."
Tracklisting
- Crowd Pleasa (3:57) Producer IllmindIllmindIllmind is a Filipino American hip hop producer from Bloomfield, New Jersey. He participated in Beat Society, competing against well-known acts like Kanye West and Just Blaze. Illmind has created music for underground artists such as Little Brother, Boot Camp Clik, Akrobatik, Supastition, and El...
- Natural Feel Good (4:04) Producer FrequencyFrequency (producer)Frequency is an American music producer and DJ from Rockville Centre, New York.-Biography:Frequency was born in Rockville Centre, New York in 1983. While attending Oceanside High School, he began to DJ at school dances and house parties. He also began experimenting with production...
- Hold On (4:04) Producer IllmindIllmindIllmind is a Filipino American hip hop producer from Bloomfield, New Jersey. He participated in Beat Society, competing against well-known acts like Kanye West and Just Blaze. Illmind has created music for underground artists such as Little Brother, Boot Camp Clik, Akrobatik, Supastition, and El...
- Live In The Flesh (3:30) Producer - Fusion Unlimited
- Lights, Camera, Action! (4:02) Producer - J. RawlsJ. RawlsJason Rawls is an American hip hop, soul, and neo-soul producer whose work crosses over into jazz. He has worked with Dose One, Beastie Boys, Slum Village, El Da Sensei, Count Bass D, Grand Agent, 9th Wonder, J-Live, Us3, and Moka Only...
- That's How It Goes (3:32) Producer - SaukratesSaukratesKarl Amani Wailoo , better known by his stage name Saukrates , is a Canadian rapper, singer, and record producer of Guyanese descent. He is the co-founder of Capitol Hill Music, and lead singer of hip-hop/R&B group Big Black Lincoln...
- Up In Da Spot! (3:43) Producer - Money Marc
- Rock It Out! (3:11)Producer - K-DefK-DefK-Def is an American, New Jersey based, hip hop producer/DJ who has been actively involved in the music industry since the early 1990s. He has recently produced music for artists such as Ghostface Killah and Puff Daddy...
- Nuttin' To Lose (2:55) Producer - Fyre Dept Featuring OCO.C. (rapper)Omar Credle , known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper who has been involved with several renowned underground hip-hop groups and also released many solo albums.-Recording career:...
- Gunblast (3:15) Producer Jake OneJake OneJacob Dutton, better known as Jake One, is an American hip hop record producer from Seattle, Washington.-Biography:Dutton grew up in Capitol Hill and moved to the North End of Seattle when he was 15. He started making music on a Casio keyboard in 1992. He attended the University of Washington and...
- Blow Shit Up! (3:23) Producer J. RawlsJ. RawlsJason Rawls is an American hip hop, soul, and neo-soul producer whose work crosses over into jazz. He has worked with Dose One, Beastie Boys, Slum Village, El Da Sensei, Count Bass D, Grand Agent, 9th Wonder, J-Live, Us3, and Moka Only...
- What's My Name? (4:07) Producer DJ Revolution
- No Matter (4:15) Producer 3rd Rell Rap [Featuring] Sean PriceSean PriceSean Price is an American rapper and member of the hip hop supergroups Boot Camp Clik and Random Axe. He came to fame as one-half of the duo Heltah Skeltah, performing under the name Ruckus, or in short Ruck, along with partner Rock. He also is featured in the video game NBA 2K11 as a playable...
- The Unusual (2:06) Producer Fusion Unlimited