|
|
|
|
 |
| tracklisting |
| 1. Just The Intro |
| 2. On The Same Page |
| 3. A Tale Of Two Cities |
| 4. Forget Me Not feat. alone |
| 5. For The Fans |
| 6. Re:Jection feat. iCON The Mic King, Kwote Scriptures |
| 7. Turn The Volume Up |
| 8. Hip Hop Vet |
| 9. Survival feat. Auz |
| 10. American Hunger |
| 11. The C In Carolina |
| 12. In His Eyes |
| 13. Pressure Point feat. Akshun |
| 14. Showtime |
| 15. Yesterday's Redemption |
| 16. Drunk Man Boogie feat. Amen |
| 17. The Empire |
| 18. The Magnum feat. Auz, Amen, Akshun |
| Bonus |
| See What I Can |
| Ladies & Gentlemen |
|
 |
|
|
| After listening to "Yesterday's Redemption", it is very easy to come to the conclusion that Dan Johns is probably the best rapper that you have never heard of. His third release is a solid package of ill beats and pensive lyrics, tied together with a nasty flow. So turn
the volume up and take notice because Dan Johns is about to put himself on the rap radar. |
| The first telltale sign that Dan Johns is a legit emcee is that he can carry an album with his voice alone. Dan's combination of fiery bravado coupled with well-toned creativity validates his claims as a true rap contender. With a uniquely aggressive flow, one would think that Dan
would be a one-sided emcee with a chip on his shoulder. However, the emcee from South Carolina rhymes with an unusual combination of sharp tongue and sharp wit. While his flow alone is solid enough to make "Yesterday's Redemption" a success, the superb production provides beats dope enough
to move underground and mainstream rap fans alike. Rather than fill his album solely with bass like many other Southern rappers, Dan makes sure to incorporate innovative beats while still including club tracks to ensure that fans of all rap genres will be satisfied. |
| Regardless of one's musical taste, one appealing aspect of Dan Johns that all hip hop fans can appreciate is that he keeps it real. While other rappers rhyme about their flossing or shooting capabilities, Dan relies on the old school values of confidence, creativity and content.
These elements are displayed on "Re:Jection," in which Dan and guest emcees iCON the Mic King and Kwote Scriptures sardonically criticize the rap industry: "go the Nelly route / it ain't selling out / do it for the dime pieces with their
bellies out." While this song is a humorous depiction of the rap industry, Dan Danger proves that he can get his message across in other ways than just sarcasm. "On The Same Page" and "Turn The Volume Up" are uptempo tracks proclaiming his rap superiority while
"A Tale Of Two Cities" and "Survival" are creative numbers laced with jazz riffs. No matter what the vibe of the track is, Dan seems to adjust his flow to groove with the production.
However, two songs stand out above the rest on this album. The first is the outstanding title track "Yesterday's Redemption," a laid back number in which Dan bares his soul and love for hip hop behind a string quartet. While on the bonus
track "See What I Can," the blend of brooding boldness and an eerily powerful melody capture the innovative production and Dan's inner-most regrets, "If only I / could rewind it back and edit / the drama out / I'd help my momma out /
and play a bigger role in my grandfather's house/ the rite of passage / working day and night to grasp it." Dan's revealing lyrics paint such a vivid picture that the listener can almost feel his emotions. It is this vulnerability that moves Dan Johns past the plethora of average rappers into the
category of true rap candidate. |
| Overall, there are very few tracks to skip on this album. Even lesser numbers such as "Drunk Man Boogie" and "The C In Carolina" have redeeming qualities in Dan's clever lyrics. Despite these filler tracks, Dan's ability to continually keep the listener
entertained, whether it is with a club track or a soul-baring song, makes "Yesterday's Redemption" a very enjoyable album. While Dan is clearly aided by stellar production, his versatility on the mic and willingness to expose himself through his lyrics should appeal to all rap fans. In an
industry saturated with fake emcees, Dan Johns is a breath of fresh air, and it will not be long before people take notice. |
| review: penczar |
|
