El Da Sensei Returns With The Unusual

New
Album On Fat Beats Records

 

Newark,
NJ — Widely known as a former member of the legendary Hip Hop
duo The Artifacts, lyrical icon El Da Sensei is gearing up for
the release of his second solo album, The Unusual, which will be
released on February 28th on Fat Beats Records. This album brings a
new edge to the New Jersey emcee that fans know and love.

 

El Da Sensei started his
phenomenal career over a decade ago with The Artifacts,
and released his independent solo debut album entitled Relax, Relate,
Release in 2002. The Unusual will deliver
a different aspect of his versatile talent.   “I definitely didn’t
want to come like the last album, ” explains El. “I felt like Relax, Relate,
Release was a little bit personal for everybody. With this album I just
wanted to go back to basics and bring a certain kind of fire back to myself. ”

 

A creative mix of
traditional Hip Hop pairs true-school rhymes over heavy-hitting beats for The Unusual, and the exciting lineup of producers includes Jake
One, Saukrates, DJ Revolution, Illmind and Fusion. Inspired guest
vocals come from Boot Camp Clik’s Sean Price on “No Matter ” and DITC
member O.C. on   “Nothing To Lose “.

 

For more information on El Da
Sensei and to hear the official single “Crowd Pleasa” b/w “Natural Feel
Good”, go to www.tygereye.net/eldasensei

 

For interviews and press
information, contact dove@tygereye.net

 

 

Newark, New Jersey was dubbed “New Jerusalem ” for the unique Hip Hop sounds pioneered by the likes of Queen
Latifah, Redman, Naughty By Nature, Lords Of The Underground and The Artifacts.
El Da Sensei entered the scene as one half of The Artifacts with his partner
Tame One in 1994 when their debut album, Between A Rock And A Hard
Place, brought them worldwide attention. After over a decade of creating
essential Hip Hop music for his loyal fans, El Da Sensei is preparing to release
his sophomore solo album,

The Unusual, on Fat Beats Records in February
2006.

 

As a graffiti artist, B-boy,
beat boxer, and lyricist, El Da Sensei channeled his diverse talents through his
music. In his teens he battled as a dancer, and later began entering emcee
battles. He partnered with Tame One to form the group That’s Them, but later
changed the group moniker to The Artifacts. In an era when Hip Hop was a mosh
pit of over-the-top styles and flavors, The Artifacts offered fans the most
organic presentation of beats and rhymes that true-school fans could ask for.
Their debut album produced the memorable songs “Wrong Side of the Tracks “,
“Dynamite Soul ” and “C’mon Wit Da Get Down “, setting the stage for the ¬Ç√Ñ√≤Best Of
The Underground’ Tour. The Artifacts hit the road with a then relatively unknown
rapper from Chicago, Common Sense, along with Organized Konfusion and The
Beatnuts. Not long after, The Artifacts returned home to drop their second album That’s Them, which included headphone masterpieces like “Art of Facts “,
“The Interview ” and “The Ultimate “.

 

Soon after the second release,
El Da Sensei and Tame One decided upon an amicable break up. El continued his
journey towards lyrical mastery on his own, traveling the world and appearing on
numerous compilations in various countries including Japan, Norway and Germany.
He dropped the white label singles “Frontline ” and “Got That “, and spent a
little time working on his personal life. In 2002, El Da Sensei released his
first solo album entitled Relax, Relate, Release. The collection of
songs revisited El’s lust for the bare-essence of Hip Hop music, and delighted
critics who had been missing that classic sound.  He spent the following
three years touring overseas, visiting locations like Croatia and Amsterdam, and
focusing his energy on his next great endeavor.

 

Now El Da Sensei is back in the
saddle, gearing up for the February 2006 release of his second solo album,
The Unusual. The project was picked up by the world-renowned Fat Beats
Records, and will bring a new edge to the New Jersey emcee that fans know and
love. “I definitely didn’t want to come like the last album, ” explains El. “I
felt like Relax, Relate, Release was a little bit personal for
everybody. With this album I just wanted to go back to basics and bring a
certain kind of fire back to myself. ”

 

The Unusual features
guest spots from rap veterans O.C. on “Nothing To Lose ” and Bootcamp Clik’s Sean
Price on “No Matter “. Production is handled by a select group of respected beat
crafters – Illmind, Jake One, Saukrates, DJ Revolution, K-Def and J Rawls. El’s
mindset in recording The Unusual was one of growth and focus. “I wanted
to make a sound between mainstream and underground that I can go to any club and
perform, ” he says. “If you don’t think about the whole spectrum of everybody,
you’re only going to be in one count. ”

 

At this phase of his already
prolific career, El Da Sensei is proving he has not gone anywhere. He also seeks
to satisfy his core audience and keep his character fresh with today’s times.
“We merge with the mainstream to show them that artists like me still exist and
can be relevant today. I’m not afraid to challenge myself and experiment. I’m
thinking about the fans – they can expect me to let loose a little
bit. “