Originally from Hartford, CT, Daniel (real name Steven Daniel) was a singer-songwriter based out of California and had previously been known for his role as Lionel “El-Train” Johnson on the NBC show “City Guys” between 1997-2001. His only single “I Luv U” was one of many lesser rare CDs that I found during my crate digging days in and around my area and was the lead single from the above album “Hiphopcrisy” which was released in 2001. A mixture of gospel, neo soul and hip hop sounds, the project was stylized as a “gospel influenced hip hop album” though Daniel did not wish to be classified as a “gospel artist” and by the time his second album “Life, Love & Liberation” rolled around in 2005, he was then channeling Maxwell and D’Angelo to great effect. Both albums were available to purchase digitally from the artist's website where he identified himself as a conscious soul artist with an "outright colorfully creative musical soul." Though not as rare as some of the other things I found, his music will definitely uplift your soul in these uncertain, dark times.
Hiphopcrisy (Five By Seven Entertainment, 2001)
Raw Intro 1:01
Show Me 3:28
MayDay 4:27
Everthing I Need 1:19
I Luv U 5:15
Temporary 5:15
Skitz 1:14
Thug 1:32
Hiphopcrisy 3:13
2 Late 5:31
MayDay (Remix) 3:44
Show Me 3:28
MayDay 4:27
Everthing I Need 1:19
I Luv U 5:15
Temporary 5:15
Skitz 1:14
Thug 1:32
Hiphopcrisy 3:13
2 Late 5:31
MayDay (Remix) 3:44
Life, Love & Liberation (Five By Seven Entertainment, 2005)
A Greeting From Daniel 0:55
Don't Label Me 5:16
Real Music 4:25
U Can't Stop Me 5:43
Without U 4:08
Your Love 4:45
I Luv U 2 2:18
K. I. S. S. Me 3:43
Hurts Sometimes 4:57
P.O.M.M. 1:05
Just An Interlude 1:10
Dance If U Wanna 4:27
Life 2:34
America 4:52
Change 1:41
Freedom 4:33
Alright 2:55
No More 9:12
Don't Label Me 5:16
Real Music 4:25
U Can't Stop Me 5:43
Without U 4:08
Your Love 4:45
I Luv U 2 2:18
K. I. S. S. Me 3:43
Hurts Sometimes 4:57
P.O.M.M. 1:05
Just An Interlude 1:10
Dance If U Wanna 4:27
Life 2:34
America 4:52
Change 1:41
Freedom 4:33
Alright 2:55
No More 9:12