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The Unusual

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Unusual
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 28, 2006 (2006-02-28)
Studio
GenreHip hop
Length50:03
LabelFat Beats
Producer
El Da Sensei chronology
Relax, Relate, Release
(2003)
The Unusual
(2006)
Unheard Of
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllHipHop[1]
Cokemachineglow72/100%[2]
HipHopDX3.5/5[3]
PopMatters7/10[4]
RapReviews7/10[5]

The Unusual is the second solo studio album by American rapper El Da Sensei. It was released on February 28, 2006 via Fat Beats Records. Recording sessions took place at Pete's Crib, Big Trouble In Little China Studios, Safe House Studios, It Is What It Is Studios and Madd Bass Studio in New Jersey, and K-Hill Studios in Durham. Production was handled by Fusion Unlimited, Illmind, J. Rawls, 3rd Rell, DJ Revolution, Frequency, Fyre Dept., Jake One, K-Def, Money Mark and Saukrates. It features guest appearances from O.C. and Sean Price.

Background

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Tame and El's graf-rap was well received by underground audiences and continued in the New Jersey rap tradition of Redman and Lords of the Underground.[6] The group developed a fan base of hardcore hip-hoppers, being graffiti artists and hip-hop purists.[7] El Da Sensei latest album is a continuation of the first two Artifacts albums. According to El, the album "stands for true hip hop."[8]

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.[9]

Critical reception

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The Unusual was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics,[10][11] considering the El Da Sensei's lengthy hiatus. Steven J. Horowitz of PopMatters resumed that the rapper "manages to present his album with intelligent proportions, and like a fine wine, he will only get better with time".[4]

Track listing

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No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Crown Pleasa"Illmind3:57
2."Natural Feel Good"Frequency4:04
3."Hold On"Illmind4:04
4."Live in the Flesh"Fusion Unlimited3:30
5."Lights, Camera, Action!"J. Rawls4:02
6."That's How It Goes"Saukrates3:32
7."Up in Da Spot!"Money Mark3:43
8."Rock It Out!"K-Def3:11
9."Nuttin' to Lose" (featuring O.C.)Fyre Dept.2:55
10."Gunblast"Jake One3:14
11."Blow Shit Up!" (Army Edition)J. Rawls3:23
12."What's My Name?"DJ Revolution4:07
13."No Matter" (featuring Sean Price)3rd Rell4:15
14."The Unusual"Fusion Unlimited2:06
Total length:50:03

References

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  1. ^ Adaso, Henry. "AllHipHop Reviews: The Unusual". AllHipHop. Archived from the original on 2006-03-26. Retrieved March 26, 2006 – via Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ Purdom, Clayton. "El Da Sensei: The Unusual (Fat Beats; 2006) | Record Reviews @ Cokemachineglow.com". Cokemachineglow. Archived from the original on 2012-05-13. Retrieved May 13, 2012 – via Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ Cornish, Melanie (February 28, 2006). "El Da Sensei - The Unusual". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Horowitz, Steven J. (June 28, 2006). "El Da Sensei: The Unusual, PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  5. ^ Jacoby, Sam (February 21, 2006). "El Da Sensei :: The Unusual – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  6. ^ allmusic ((( Artifacts > Biography )))
  7. ^ allmusic ((( El Da Sensei > Biography )))
  8. ^ 215HIPHOP.COM ~ Philly Hip Hop » Exclusive Interview with El Da Sensei
  9. ^ World's Best Source For That Ol' Boom Bap
  10. ^ Cowie, Del F. (March 1, 2006). "El Da Sensei | The Unusual". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  11. ^ Herman, Max (April 1, 2006). "El Da Sensei The Unusual". XLR8R. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
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