It’s been along while since we heard something new from the “ay-a-aye” aka The Bay Area of California. In rap it’s been famous for rap legends such as Brotha Lynch Hung, E40, 2Pac, Spice-1, Snoop Dogg, Too $hort, and JT The Bigga Figga to name a few from rap. and in Rock it’s been home to Punk Rock legends such as Green Day and Rancid. Now the bay area can add a new member to their massive breed in the land of music. Straight Out of San Francisco, California and one of the 2 newest members of RLP/Aknu Media 3.0: Daniel Jordan!

The Stranger follows Jordan’s underground debut “Greatest Anti-Hits” and marks the second RLP-releated release that so far has not sparked controversy. The album’s pretty nice as far as presentation goes. The album starts out the same way most Esham releases as of late have sounded like. “The Illuminati Wants Me Dead” is a commentary style talking about the Illuminati secrets with some of the typicial Acid rap style lyrics and beats you’ve come to know from the Reel Life camp since Boomin Word’s 90 the red tape! We get more of that live band makes out 99% of the beat on a few songs.

 

The song “I Hate Drug Dealers” sounds like a mix of Hardcore Punk laced with metal with Daniel rapping about a subject not many in rap fight against. Perscription drugs. In the style of a drug addict. This is a throwback to some of them old school “anti crack” raps from the 1980’s. This is a song you don’t wanna sleep on if you can relate to the lyrics. PERIOD! “No Friends” is a song about phony friends who only give a shit if you got any money and big things happening to you.

Another interesting thing is there’s only one collab on this entire album. The song “Sad Clown [featuring west coast legend Mac Mall]” (Which was recorded and mixed in Esham’s living room according to Jordan himself.) is that song. The song talks about the depression most artist get most of the time after so long just on the road and rocking the stage. Peice together the puzzle known as a broken heart as you would see it. The 2nd song that has that rock feel in it is called “Airplane Crash”. This song really sounds like a rock song more than a rap song. The lyrics are still hard to decipher even while writing this review. But what I can peice together so far is it sounds like anger after break up or falling out. Sounds more mosh-pit friendly than anything else.

The album closes with “Fade Away” which is a 7 minute 16 second song. The song sounds like a song you’d be better off smoking weed 2. The song has a reminiscent feel about feeling bad that the one you loved so much is no longer there and you just wish for one more chance.

All in all The Stranger will have something for everybody from the lyrical presentation down to having that feeling that you’re about to listen to one of the best rap records of the year. It also has topics that everyone can relate to in some way. This album to me is the sounds that it’s redeeming time for the camp at Reel Life following the crazy world known as “Homey The Clown”. I got a feeling we’re gonna hear alot more from Daniel Jordan. Just watch!

Track Listing:

1. The Illuminati Wants Me Dead
2. All Your Heros
3. Sometimes
4. I Hate Drug Dealers
5. The Stranger
6. No Friends
7. Own Worst Enemy
8. Paradox
9. Pride Is Stronger Than Love
10. Sad Clown
11. Last Day Alive
12. Dont Belong
13. Reason I Havent Called You
14. Airplane Crash
15. Fade Away

Favorite Tracks:

1. All Your Heroes
2. No Friends
3. Sad Clown

Length:

• 59 Minutes 53 Seconds

Record Label:

• Reel Life Productions

Release Date:

• 11/01/2011

Purchase:

• DanielJordan.BigCartel.com - $7.99 [Digital] or $12.99 [CD]

Websites:

• AcidRap.com
• @RIPDanielJordan

Reviewer:

• KM