The Unusual

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = The Unusual | type = studio | artist = El Da Sensei | cover = The Unusual.jpg | alt = | released = {{Start date|2006|2|28}} | recorded = | studio = {{hlist|Pete's Crib (New Jersey)|Big Trouble In Little China Studios (Bloomfield, NJ)|Safe House Studios (New Jersey)|It Is What It Is Studios (Weehawken, NJ)|K-Hill Studios (Durham, NC)|Madd Bass Studio (East Orange, NJ)}} | genre = Hip hop | length = {{Duration|m=50|s=3}} | label = Fat Beats | producer = {{hlist|3rd Rell|DJ Revolution|Frequency|Fusion Unlimited|Fyre Dept.|Illmind|Jake One|J. Rawls|K-Def|Money Mark|Saukrates}} | prev_title = Relax, Relate, Release | prev_year = 2003 | next_title = Unheard Of | next_year = 2008 | misc = }} {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllHipHop | rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adaso |first=Henry |date= |title=AllHipHop Reviews: The Unusual |url=http://www.allhiphop.com/reviews/ |access-date=March 26, 2006 |website=AllHipHop |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060326194226/http://www.allhiphop.com/reviews/ |archive-date=2006-03-26 |via=Wayback Machine}}</ref> | rev2 = Cokemachineglow | rev2score = 72/100%<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purdom |first=Clayton |date= |title=El Da Sensei: The Unusual (Fat Beats; 2006) {{!}} Record Reviews @ Cokemachineglow.com |url=http://www.cokemachineglow.com/record_review/689/eldasensei-theunusual-2006 |access-date=May 13, 2012 |website=Cokemachineglow |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513121541/http://www.cokemachineglow.com/record_review/689/eldasensei-theunusual-2006 |archive-date=2012-05-13 |via=Wayback Machine}}</ref> | rev3 = ''HipHopDX'' | rev3score = 3.5/5<ref name="HHDX">{{Cite web |last=Cornish |first=Melanie |date=February 28, 2006 |title=El Da Sensei - The Unusual |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.611/title.el-da-sensei-the-unusual |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> | rev4 = ''PopMatters'' | rev4score = 7/10<ref name="PM">{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=June 28, 2006 |title=El Da Sensei: The Unusual, PopMatters |url=https://www.popmatters.com/el-da-sensei-the-unusual-2495680190.html |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=PopMatters |language=en-US}}</ref> | rev5 = RapReviews | rev5score = 7/10<ref name="RR">{{Cite web |last=Jacoby |first=Sam |date=February 21, 2006 |title=El Da Sensei :: The Unusual – RapReviews |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/2006/02/el-da-sensei-the-unusual/ |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=www.rapreviews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> }} '''''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== 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.<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p45085|pure_url=yes}} allmusic ((( Artifacts > Biography )))]</ref> The group developed a fan base of hardcore hip-hoppers, being graffiti artists and hip-hop purists.<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p472248|pure_url=yes}} allmusic ((( El Da Sensei > Biography )))]</ref> El Da Sensei latest album is a continuation of the first two Artifacts albums. According to El, the album "stands for true hip hop."<ref>[http://215hiphop.com/interviews/exclusive-interview-with-el-da-sensei 215HIPHOP.COM ~ Philly Hip Hop » Exclusive Interview with El Da Sensei]</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.thaformula.com/el_da_sensei_-_be_original!!!.htm World's Best Source For That Ol' Boom Bap]</ref>

==Critical reception== ''The Unusual'' was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowie |first=Del F. |date=March 1, 2006 |title=El Da Sensei {{!}} The Unusual |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/el_da_sensei-unusual |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=Exclaim! |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Herman |first=Max |date=April 1, 2006 |title=El Da Sensei The Unusual |url=https://xlr8r.com/reviews/the-unusual/ |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=XLR8R |language=en-US}}</ref> 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".<ref name="PM" />

==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_writing = | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = Crown Pleasa | writer1 = | extra1 = Illmind | length1 = 3:57 | title2 = Natural Feel Good | writer2 = | extra2 = Frequency | length2 = 4:04 | title3 = Hold On | writer3 = | extra3 = Illmind | length3 = 4:04 | title4 = Live in the Flesh | writer4 = | extra4 = Fusion Unlimited | length4 = 3:30 | title5 = Lights, Camera, Action! | writer5 = | extra5 = J. Rawls | length5 = 4:02 | title6 = That's How It Goes | writer6 = | extra6 = Saukrates | length6 = 3:32 | title7 = Up in Da Spot! | writer7 = | extra7 = Money Mark | length7 = 3:43 | title8 = Rock It Out! | writer8 = | extra8 = K-Def | length8 = 3:11 | title9 = Nuttin' to Lose | note9 = featuring O.C. | writer9 = | extra9 = Fyre Dept. | length9 = 2:55 | title10 = Gunblast | writer10 = | extra10 = Jake One | length10 = 3:14 | title11 = Blow Shit Up! | note11 = Army Edition | writer11 = | extra11 = J. Rawls | length11 = 3:23 | title12 = What's My Name? | writer12 = | extra12 = DJ Revolution | length12 = 4:07 | title13 = No Matter | note13 = featuring Sean Price | writer13 = | extra13 = 3rd Rell | length13 = 4:15 | title14 = The Unusual | writer14 = | extra14 = Fusion Unlimited | length14 = 2:06 | total_length = 50:03 }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Discogs master|69895|El Da Sensei – The Unusual}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Unusual, The}} Category:2006 albums Category:El Da Sensei albums Category:Fat Beats Records albums Category:Albums produced by K-Def Category:Albums produced by Illmind Category:Albums produced by Jake One Category:Albums produced by J. Rawls Category:Albums produced by Saukrates Category:Albums produced by Frequency (record producer)