Sensational, legendary MC & producer
Weird Rap is fundraising in support of legendary experimental producer/MC, Sensational.
In 1997 Sensational's debut album, Loaded With Power, established him as a fearlessly unique one-man powerhouse, with strange, dusty, off-kilter beats complimented by infectious raspy-voiced raps and fittingly rough-hewn, stream of consciousness lyrics, evoking a deeply stoned, grimy, and dark atmosphere. Nobody before or since has recreated his defiantly lo-fi, dissonant, and ground-breaking yet somehow classic approach to hip hip.
Sensational first came into the NYC music scene under the name Torture, playing an integral role in the Jungle Brothers' album Crazy Wisdom Masters, which was shelved for being too bizarre. It was deeper in the underground, with boutique label Wordsound, that Sensational found acceptance along with similarly out-of-the-box artists such as Prince Paul, MC Paul Barman, Scotty Hard, and Hawd Gankstuh Rappuhs MC's Wid Ghatz. His debut album, Loaded With Power, while too off-beat and atonal for most, made a splash among more adventurous listeners, propelling him to work with a large array of international producers, being embraced by such distinguished music purveyors as Bill Laswell and Mike Patton.
Weird Rap is a label, podcast, and general media presence celebrating the most daring and unusual rap artists, internationally, past and present, seeking out the most inventive hip hop to be found. Considering Weird Rap's far-reaching palate, it's rare that we'd find an artist dating as far back as Sensational to still sound so refreshingly experimental and one-of-a-kind. We herald him as one of rap's greatest innovators, along with Rammellzee, Divine Styler, Kool Keith, The RZA, and others.
As evidenced by the full-length documentary, The Rise & Fall & Rise of Sensational (which can be viewed free at youtube.com/weirdrap), Sensational is a true artist, and not a businessman. Uncompromising in his iconoclastic approach to music, following his heart before finances, and living in the moment, his domestic situation has suffered, leaving him homeless at times.
Due to the ups-and-downs of relationships, human nature, and the unpredictable circumstances of being an independent artist, this treasure of a musician and kindhearted man is currently living out of his car, so Weird Rap is calling for donations to help him out, via this GoFundMe campaign (100% of profits going to Sensational) or direct to the man himself via [email redacted] at .
Any temporary or long-term housing possibilities in the NYC area might also be appreciated. Please contact the email above with info.
In addition or alternatively, you can support Sensational by purchasing music from his vast catalog at sensational1.bandcamp.com.
Finally, we also ask that you help spread the word. <3
Weird Rap
weirdrap.com
