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{{Short description|American musician (born 1983)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist {{Infobox musical artist
|Name = Danny! | name = Danny!
| image = Danny Drake Atlanta Concert.jpg
|Img =
| caption =
|Img_capt =
| birth_name = Daniel Keith Swain<ref name="Jeffries" />
|Background = solo_singer
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|08|18}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/daniel-swain-mn0001399055 |title=Daniel Swain |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref>
|Born = ] ] (age 24)
| birth_place = ], U.S.
|Origin = ], ] {{flagicon|USA}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
|Genre = ]
* Rapper<ref name="Jeffries" />
|Occupation = ], ]
* record producer<ref name="Jeffries" />
|Years_active = ] - present
* singer
|Label = 1911 Music/Badenov Records <small>(2004 - 2006)</small> <br>] <small>(2007 - )</small>
* composer
|URL = <br>
* voice actor
}} }}
| years_active = 2004–present
| genre = {{flatlist|
* ]<ref name="Jeffries" />
* ]<ref name="Jeffries" />
}}
| label = ], ]
| website = {{URL|dannyswain.com}}
}}
'''Daniel Keith Swain''' (born August 18, 1983), known mononymously as '''Danny!''', is an American rapper, record producer, singer, and composer.<ref name="Jeffries">{{cite web | first = David | last = Jeffries | title = Danny!: Biography | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p766332/biography|pure_url=yes}} | website = ] | date = March 11, 2013 | access-date = February 11, 2014}}</ref>


Swain rose to prominence after his debut performance on '']'',<ref>{{cite news|first=Emmy |last=Blotnick |title=Danny! Performs 'Evil' |url=http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2012/09/danny-performs-evil/ |publisher=] |date=September 21, 2012 |accessdate=September 21, 2012|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127194748/http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2012/09/danny-performs-evil/ |archivedate=November 27, 2012 }}</ref> where he premiered his song "Evil". After joining ], Danny! released his album '']'',<ref name="Jeffries" /><ref name="Billboard">{{cite news |last=Ramirez |first=Erika |date=January 13, 2011 |title=Exclusive: ?uestlove Announces Okayplayer Records Re-Launch, New Albums By Danny!, Young Guru |publisher=] |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/exclusive-uestlove-announces-okayplayer-1007822952.story |accessdate=January 17, 2011 |archive-date=August 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816211821/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/exclusive-uestlove-announces-okayplayer-1007822952.story |url-status=dead }}</ref> cited by ] as one of the best hip-hop releases of the year.<ref>{{cite news | first = AMG | last = Staff | title = AllMusic's Favorite Hip-Hop/Rap Albums of 2012 | url = http://blog.allmusic.com/2012/12/20/allmusics-favorite-hip-hoprap-albums-of-2012/ | publisher = ] | date = December 20, 2012 | accessdate = December 22, 2012}}</ref> In 2013, ] magazine listed Swain among other rising artists in its "Leaders of the New School" piece, calling Swain one of a handful of "innovators".<ref name="Ebony2">{{cite magazine |last=Carter |first=Kelley |date=January 2, 2013 |title=Leaders Of The New School |url=http://www.ebony.com/entertainment-culture/leaders-of-the-new-school-752 |magazine=] |access-date=March 1, 2013}}</ref>
'''Danny!''', also known as '''D. Swain''' (born Daniel Keith Swain, ], ] in ]), is an ] ] ] and ] from ], a current student at the ] and, most recently, a ] for ] Records. Garnering praise -- and fielding minor criticism -- for being an atypical ] relying heavily on sampled tracks, Danny released four self-produced studio albums, two ] and even a ] compilation prior to his signing with Def Jux. Danny is most notable for his critically-acclaimed ] album '']'', which is widely considered his best work to date. ''Charm'' would eventually go on to be listed in seven different categories on the 49th Annual ] Award ]<ref>{{cite news | first = Randy | last = Roper | title = Danny! is Baaallliiinnn’ | url = http://www.writersblockmedia.net/2006/10/25/danny-is-baaallliiinnn/ | publisher = ''Writer's Block Media'' | date = 2006-10-25 | accessdate = 2006-10-25}}</ref>, helping Danny to become ]'s most heralded ] artist to date.


Swain has composed ] that has since been placed in numerous motion pictures and television programs, most notably ]'s animated series '']'' for which Swain was awarded an ] plaque for his contributions to an episode that won in the ] category at the ] in 2017.<ref name="Emmys">{{cite news | title = Bob's Burgers: Awards & Nominations | url = https://www.emmys.com/shows/bobs-burgers | publisher = ] | date = January 12, 2018 | access-date = January 12, 2018}}</ref>
== Biography ==
=== Early Career (1999 - 2001) ===
Danny was born in the early ] to military parents who were both stationed in the ] at the time. During his childhood he developed a deep love for music; in his early teens he became transfixed by ], influenced by seminal group ] and other (primarily New York-based) rap collectives such as ] and ]. Danny began producing at an early age, but by age 16 he had developed a style all his own courtesy of the keyboards and sequencers his mother would buy for him. Following his initial reluctance to rap, Danny began to pen his own lyrics and eventually recorded makeshift songs first on his boombox (via cassette tape), then later on his personal computer. Early Danny songs mimicked rapper ]'s multi-syllabic shock lyrics; Danny has openly admitted to copying Eminem's flow early on.
]'' (2004), Danny's debut album, received fierce criticism for its derivative title, it succeeded in establishing Danny as a unique talent and served as a refreshing departure from the South's ] movement of the time.]]


=== College Life (2001 - 2003) === == Early life ==
Swain, the only son of military parents,<ref name="Jackson">{{cite news | first = Deborah | last = Jackson | title = Military People: Danny Swain | url = http://www.militaryhub.com/military-people.cfm?id=29 | publisher = Military Hub | date = March 11, 2009 | access-date = March 21, 2009 | archive-date = July 14, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714094906/http://www.militaryhub.com/military-people.cfm?id=29 | url-status = dead }}</ref> was born in ] and moved to ], as a teenager. He attended ] and began pursuing music as a hobby during his second year.<ref name="Jeffries" /> Swain started penning his own lyrics and recorded songs as a showcase for his production.<ref name="Prefix">{{cite news | first = Julio | last = Anto | title = Danny! Discusses New Album ''Payback'', Co-signs From Jay-Z And Blank, And The Evolution Of DIY In Hip-Hop | url = http://www.prefixmag.com/features/danny/danny-discusses-new-album-payback-co-signs-from-ja/72229/ | publisher = Prefix Magazine | date = December 4, 2012 | access-date = December 11, 2012}}</ref>
In 2001 Danny matriculated at ], a liberal arts college 50 miles from his hometown of Columbia, and enrolled in the college's fledgling program. While at Claflin Danny began to stray from the keyboard-crafted beats he was known for and started experimenting with sampling. Influenced greatly by fellow rapper and producer RZA, Danny used a sampler to loop up soul records and started creating songs that he felt had more structure to them. The success of Ghostface Killah's ''Supreme Clientele'' and Jay-Z's ''The Blueprint'' further validated the relevance of such a style of production for Danny and inspired him to work on an album of his own; Danny has stated that hearing a demo version of ]'s "What We Do (Is Wrong)" for the very first time was the definitive point in which he decided to incorporate samples into his production.


== Career ==
A campus-wide forced Danny to leave Claflin University in November 2003, just as he was putting the finishing touches on his debut album, then titled ''The Danny Swain LP''. Though no proof or evidence was ever presented, Danny was accused of orchestrating a scheme in which 300+ students' grades had been altered in exchange for ], and was expelled from the university.
=== 2004–2006: Early beginnings, ''Charm'' and instrumental albums ===
{{Main|The College Kicked-Out|F.O.O.D. (album)|Charm (Danny! album)}}


After spending nearly a year networking with local artists, Swain released his debut mixtape '']''.<ref name="Jeffries" /><ref name="Discography">{{cite news | first = Daniel | last = Swain | title = Danny!: Discography | url = http://www.dannyswain.com/music/discography/ | publisher = DannySwain.com | date = January 2, 2018 | access-date = January 4, 2018}}</ref> The record received mixed to unfavorable reviews—an up-and-coming ] was among ''Kicked-Out''{{'}}s critics, panning the mixtape on air while working as a local radio station personality—which Swain would allude to in much of his later work.
=== Post-Claflin (2003 - 2006) ===
After spending nearly a year rebuilding his reputation and networking with local rappers back home, Danny released his debut album, now renamed '']'', in late ]. Much to his chagrin, the CD's otherwise feel-good vibe would become overshadowed not by Danny's dubious past, but by those who panned the effort as a carbon-copy of ]'s own debut album, '']''. Critics felt Danny's style of production at the time, which heavily utilized pitch-altered vocal samples, was far too similar to West's. MC's in the Columbia area ridiculed Danny and refused to continue to work with him, which Danny would allude to in much of his later work.


Danny was later accepted to the ] and relocated to ] accordingly; it was here that he began to work on his second project, '']'' Visibly bothered by the reception to his debut album, the ]-influenced MC spent much of ''F.O.O.D.'' verbally attacking his detractors; otherwise decent songs on the LP were overlooked by the out-of-place, retaliatory tracks. Nevertheless, Danny began to develop a moderate following -- albeit primarily on the ] -- and fans began to know him for his rich production, usage of satire and, at times, humor that ranged from quirky to self-deprecating. Shortly after ''Kicked-Out''{{'}}s release Swain was accepted to the ] and accordingly relocated to ].<ref name="Jeffries" /> It was here that he began to work on his second project, '']''<ref name="Discography" /> The following year Swain officially released his third mixtape '']'',<ref name="Discography" /> which was notable for featuring an underlying theme of ] in its narrative of a musician who wants success in music to take him away from his day-to-day routine.
] website ] has been attributed as being very instrumental in the early successes of Danny's career. The producer/rapper -- who has never had a manager nor, up until recently, a record deal -- has chronicled nearly every one of his achievements in his MySpace-hosted blog.]]


During this time Swain compiled an instrumental album, '']'', in an effort to promote his production; within two years the sequels '']'' and '']'' would also be released.<ref name="Discography" />
=== Breakthrough (2006 - 2007) ===
{{Quote box
In March ] Danny officially released his third and allegedly final LP '']'', a concept album in which he has credited ]' ''City of Angels'' as his inspiration. The album was notable for featuring an underlying theme of ], narrating the story of a musician who wants to achieve success through music and be reprieved of the day-to-day routine in his hometown. The protagonist, which is believed to be Danny himself, dreams that he actually becomes famous and wealthy, only to realize towards the album's closing that perhaps fame wasn't meant for everybody, particularly him. The album ends with the musician awakening from his dream, only to be approached by a label executive shortly afterwards. Lauded by a variety of music aficionados and online magazines, ''Charm'' went on to become Danny's biggest success to date and, ironically, help make the entire premise of the album come true in real life.
| quote = It's all people telling you to do this and that… when you do what they say and it still doesn't work in your favor, it's like, 'well, I was fine the way I was'. You just got to keep moving. There's no guarantee for anything.
| source = <br />Swain, on instinct and perseverance<br />('']'', 2014)<ref name="GQ" />
|align=left
|width=280px
|bgcolor=#c2dce8
|quoted=true
|salign=center
}}


=== 2007–2011: MTV, ''And I Love H.E.R.'' and Interscope era ===
The first of two nomination ballots for the ] was uploaded onto the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (]) website in October 2006 and selected tracks from ''Charm'' were listed in various categories and fields, making Danny the first hip-hop artist from South Carolina to achieve such a feat. None of his selected songs, however, made it from the short list to the second nomination ballot, which is comprised of artists and songwriters who receive the top five votes in a category (and are from then on classified as "] nominees"). Nonetheless, Danny chronicled his album's recognition by the Recording Academy on his in a four-part ] series.
{{See also|Danny Is Dead|And I Love H.E.R.: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack|Where Is Danny?}}
After ''Charm'', Swain received his first big break when ] played a role in securing him a recording contract with ], an independent music label, at the time helmed by ] of ] fame.<ref>{{cite news | first = Tim | last = Welte | title = Danny Swain Wins mtvU Contest | url = http://www.tv.com/news/danny-swain-wins-mtvu-def-jux-contest-8375/ | publisher = ] | date = January 27, 2007 | access-date = February 2, 2007 | archive-date = January 18, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160118023708/http://www.tv.com/news/danny-swain-wins-mtvu-def-jux-contest-8375/ | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="Stoehr">{{cite news | first = John | last = Stoehr | title = Local Student Wins MTV Award | url = http://savannahnow.com/accent/2007-01-24/local-student-wins-mtv-award | newspaper = ] | date = January 28, 2007 | access-date = September 11, 2007}}</ref> The record deal allowed Swain to release an album through the label, promoting it with a ] and accompanying music video slated for an exclusive premiere on ]. Though the label's involvement would not amount to a released album—only the single "]", which charted on the ]<ref>{{cite news |first=Jacinta |last=Howard |title=Don't Sleep On Danny! |url=http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/don_t_sleep_on_danny_/Content?oid=793782 |publisher=] |date=April 28, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504015526/http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/don_t_sleep_on_danny_/Content?oid=793782 |archive-date=May 4, 2009 }}</ref>—the deal did establish an ongoing relationship between Swain and MTV, which began using his music extensively in various programs.


Swain self-released his debut album, the faux-soundtrack '']''<ref name="Discography" /> The album was cited at the time by publications such as ],<ref>{{cite news | first = Joshua | last = Love | title = Danny!: And I Love H.E.R. (Album Review) | url = https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12082-and-i-love-her-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/ | publisher = ] | date = October 18, 2008 | access-date = November 11, 2008}}</ref> '']''<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Jeff |last=Weiss |title=The 10 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of The Half-Year |url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/the-10-best-hip-hop-albums-of-the-half-year-2404431 |magazine=] |date=August 1, 2008 |access-date=August 17, 2008}}</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite news | first = Allan | last = Raible | title = The 50 Best Albums of 2008: Nos. 25 to 1 | url = https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Music/story?id=6556115 | publisher = ] | date = January 2, 2009 | access-date = January 11, 2009}}</ref> as one of the best releases of the year. ''And I Love H.E.R.'' was also notable for introducing another musical direction for Swain, who was experimenting with ], ] and ]/] to produce a sort of "lounge-hop" hybrid.
Shortly before the Grammy announcement was made, Danny quietly released an instrumental album, '']'', abroad. A sequel, '']'', was also released overseas in April of the following year. Both albums, which Danny has jokingly referred to as "sensationalized beat tapes", are extremely rare; only a small number of copies exist stateside and are thus highly sought after in the ].


Following ''And I Love H.E.R.''{{'}}s success, Swain completed the '']'' album.<ref name="Discography" /> Interscope Records, through its short-lived digital distribution program,<ref>{{cite news | first = Nicholas | last = Loss-Eaton | title = Discovering New Music Artists in the Digital Age: Interscope Digital Distribution Reaches Beyond DIY | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/discovering-new-music-artists-in-the-digital-age-interscope-digital-distribution-reaches-beyond-diy-69756242.html | publisher = ] | date = November 12, 2010 | access-date = February 7, 2012}}</ref> distributed a revamped version of the album on iTunes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Danny! – 'Where Is Danny' |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/where-is-danny/id440244598 |publisher=] |date=May 17, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528194152/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/where-is-danny/id440244598 |archive-date=May 28, 2011 }}</ref>
=== Present (2007 - ) ===
Despite his success, Danny had long insisted that ''Charm'' will indeed be his final album as a solo artist. Citing such reasons as a desire to finish his ], an oversaturated market and a fickle audience, he had mentioned in various interviews that he had no plans to ever release another LP commercially. However, in January of 2007 Danny finally received his big break when he was declared the winner of the contest sponsored by ] and ] Records<ref>{{cite news | first = Jim | last = Welte | title = Danny Swain wins mtvU/Def Jux contest | url = http://www.mp3.com/news/stories/8375.html | publisher = '']'' | date = 2007-01-26 | accessdate = 2007-02-01}}</ref>. The record deal that resulted from the win forced him out of "retirement" to record an ] for the Def Jux label and release a ] -- to be accompanied by a ] slated for an exclusive premiere on MTVu -- with fellow Jukie ].


=== 2012–present: Breakthrough, music licensing and ''The Book of Daniel'' ===
]'' (2006) resulted in unanimous acclaim, inclusion on the ] pre-nomination ballot and, eventually, a recording contract with ] Records by proxy. Above, a celebratory banner was designed by Def Jux in honor of their newest artist.]]
{{See also|Payback (album)|The Book of Daniel (album)}}
In an interesting twist, however, the unpredictable Danny announced plans of a self-released EP, '']'', to serve as a prequel for his as-yet-untitled Definitive Jux debut EP. Initially, news of the project was met with confusion; though fans were undoubtedly eager for another studio album from Danny, most people erroneously believed that the EP was in lieu of some sort of defection from Definitive Jux. Danny quickly refuted the rumor; reaffirming his addition to , he revealed his decision to release an independent project had stemmed solely from overwhelming pressure from fans for new material. Since contract negotiations with Def Jux had yet to be finalized at the time<ref>{{cite news | first = Janeé | last = Bolden | title = On Deck: South Carolina Rapper/Producer Danny! | url = http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/11717 | publisher = ''SOHH.com'' | date = 2007-05-29 | accessdate = 2007-06-15}}</ref>, Danny was not yet legally bound by the label and was therefore free to give fans one final album as an unsigned artist. As such, ''Danny Is Dead'' was released in July ] via his own Badenov Records/1911 Music vanity label to positive reviews. Anticipation was further fueled when its first single, "Check It Out", was featured exclusively both on ]'s website as part of their year-long campaign, and in ]'s "Forkcast"<ref>{{cite news | first = Nate | last = Patrin | title = New Music: Danny!'s 'Check it Out' | url = http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/44595-danny-check-it-out-mp3stream | publisher = '']'' | date = 2007-08-02 | accessdate = 2007-08-04}}</ref>.
After the release of his third studio LP '']'',<ref name="Discography" /> the title track of Swain's ] was featured in a commercial for ] wireless speakers. Swain signed on as a composer for ]'s internal Hype Music label<ref>{{cite news | first = Jeffrey | last = Jones | title = Hype Music: Roster | url = http://www.mtv.com/artists/collections/hype-music/896380/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205012941/http://www.mtv.com/artists/collections/hype-music/896380/ |archive-date=December 5, 2013 | publisher = MTV | date = September 10, 2013 | access-date = April 10, 2013}}</ref> (later absorbed into ]'s ] production music library) and slowly transitioned into a producer role, landing instrumental placements with various ] television programming as well as commercials for ], ], and ] for '']'' and its soundtrack, ''The Bob's Burgers Music Album''.


In 2014, Swain started working on a new album, initially titled ''Deliverance'', but later changed to '']'' after ].<ref name="GQ">{{cite magazine | first = Phili | last = Stelios | url = https://www.gq.com/story/the-gqa-danny-swain |title =The GQ+A: Danny Swain On Getting Shown Questlove Love, Major Label Breakups, and His Plan for 2014 | magazine = ] | date = March 5, 2014 | access-date = March 5, 2014}}</ref> During the album's development Swain appeared in ''Sesame Street''{{'}}s "Party Bus" video, which featured an original remix of "]" composed by Swain. He also began working as a voiceover artist, narrating a season of ''Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL'' in 2016 for ESPN. The following year Swain was awarded an Emmy plaque from the ] for his musical contributions to the ''Bob's Burgers'' episode "Bob Actually" (], 2017<ref name="Emmys" />), composing music for three scenes.<ref>{{cite web | title = Internet Movie Database: Danny Swain | website = ] | url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8780492/ | date = December 6, 2017 | access-date = December 11, 2017}}</ref>
Danny recently caved in to frequent requests from fans regarding the re-release of his albums prior to ''Charm'' and pressed up a small number of copies of his first two titles, ''The College Kicked-Out'' and ''F.O.O.D.'', for resale through ]. He also revealed plans to offer his once-scarce catalogue, including ''Dream, Fulfilled'' and its predecessor, for sale through digital outlets such as ], ] and ]. Meanwhile, a "best of" compilation titled ] was released not even a month after ''Danny Is Dead'' appeared in stores. The tracks selected for the greatest hits disc were selected by fans via a private e-mail sent to recipients on Danny's mailing list.


In 2015, a tracklist for ''The Book of Daniel'' was revealed at Swain's website. The album debut was announced for February 29, 2016,<ref name="Independent">{{cite news | first = Heather | last = Saul | title = Kanye West Says Bill Cosby Is Innocent | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kanye-publicist-responds-about-twitter-rant-with-release-dates-for-the-life-of-pablo-and-danny-the-book-of-daniel-a6864651.html | newspaper = ] | date = February 10, 2016 | access-date = December 1, 2017}}</ref> but it was not released. Another scheduled date, October 31, 2018,<ref name=Halloween2018>{{cite web|author=Danny Swain |url=http://www.dannyswain.com/music/discography/danny-the-book-of-daniel/ |title=Danny! – The Book Of Daniel |website=Dannyswain.com |date=January 15, 2019 |access-date=April 16, 2020}}</ref> passed without the album release.
To date, the recently-signed Danny remains reclusive, making sporadic appearances while promoting ''Danny Is Dead'' and continuing to receive features in various hip hop-related publications and websites as an artist on the rise.


Despite a halt in studio releases, Swain continues to contribute to ''Bob's Burgers'' while composing ] and ] under various aliases for Extreme Music.
== Composition ==
=== Beats ===
Danny's style of production encompasses the feel of the ], ] and ] records that he is influenced by. Employing a technique known as "chopping up" loops, Danny has experimented with borrowing from obscure records from the ] to the early ]. The influence that ] has had on him is reflected in several of his tracks, as his choruses are sometimes scratched up in the same manner that DJ Premier is known for with his non-Gang Starr collaborations. "The Lesson" from ''F.O.O.D.'' is one of the first known usages of this method.


== Discography ==
Over the course of the past three years Danny's production style has evolved from sped-up, "chopped" soul samples typical of most of his contemporaries to more ambient, jazz-infused offerings that seem to be a ] of ] and ]. Recently, he has been experimenting with sampling songs from out-of-print foreign film ]s, specifically from France, Italy and Japan, as well as sound library records from England.
{{Main|Danny! discography}}
] application ] (formerly -- and often affectionately -- known as Fruity Loops). The popular sequencing program is notorious for also being utilized by fellow Carolinian producer ].]]


=== Rhymes === === Studio albums ===
* '']''
Danny's lyrics -- many of which are self-referential -- primarily focus on social issues such as ], ] and ]. An avid storyteller, Danny's rhymes are also known for their graphic albeit poignant portrayal of things that are usually based on actual events in his life. For example, "Where Were You" from ''Charm'' is a story about an ex-lover involved in an ] with someone else's wife; when the woman mysteriously ceases contact with the scorned narrator he jumps to the conclusion that she has returned to her abusive husband despite promises of running away with him. The song's conclusion, however, reveals that the wife had actually been killed in a gruesome automobile accident by her jealous husband, who used his ] to run her off the road en route to escape to her lover.
* '']''
* '']''
* '']''


=== Instrumental albums ===
Other songs also explore a variety of topics not typically found in contemporary hip-hop. "Cafe Surreal", one of ''Charm'' 's stand-out tracks, compares a haven for creative, free-minded artists to a ] that exists only in one's imagination. Later, in ''Danny Is Dead'''s "Rhyme Writer Crime Fighter", Danny humorously depicts himself as a self-appointed ] who brings justice to criminals only when he's ''not'' making music (lack of ] notwithstanding).
* '']''
* '']''
* '']''


=== Production credits ===
Often Danny will ridicule naysayers in his lyrics and belittle others who he feels betrayed him in the beginning of his career, which can be heard in much of his later work.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Artist
! Song(s)
! Album
! Year
|-
| ] || "Exotic", "The Nana Song" || '']'' || 2010
|-
| Danny Brown || "Counterfeit", "Hey!"* || ''Detroit State of Mind 4'' || 2010
|-
| ] || "The Game On Lock", "Illusions of G" || ''Illusions of Grandeur 2'' || 2012
|-
| ] || "Never Never Freestyle" || '']'' || 2012
|-
| ] || "Scroll Call (Danny Swain Remix)" || '']'' || 2014
|}


=== Film and television placements/credits ===
=== Style ===
{| class="wikitable"
Though Danny would later achieve major success as a producer and rapper in his own right, much of his early career was plagued with accusations from critics who claimed his style mirrored that of the already-established ]. Most people referred not only to the similar production techniques at the time of Danny's initial emergence, but to cadences and flow as well. On the other hand, others have argued that Danny and Kanye are similar ''only'' in that they both chose not to go the ] route, unlike most of their contemporaries, but that the comparisons end there and the two sound absolutely nothing alike. Some have later admitted to writing Danny off as a Kanye "wanna-be" without ever actually hearing any of his material, solely basing their criticism on the ''title'' of Danny's debut album rather than the ''music''. To his credit, Danny has publicly mentioned that the ] superstar is as much of an influence as any other hip-hop producer/rapper (], ], ], et. al) that he grew up listening to and has admiration for.
|-
!align="left"|Song(s)
!align="left"|Where Featured
!align="left"|Network
!align="left"|Year
|-
|"Intermission (interlude)"
|'']''
|]
|2008
|-
|"Cafe Surreal"
|'']'' promotional bumper
|]
|2009
|-
|"Ebony Flower"
|'']''
|]
|2009
|-
|"Check It Out"
|'']''
|]
|2011
|-
|"The Groove"
|''Dina's Party''
|]
|2011
|-
|"The Groove"
|''Love Lust''
|]
|2011
|-
|"The Groove"
|'']''
|]
|2011
|-
|"Cafe Surreal", "The Groove"
|''] Signature Series: Supernatural''
|]
|2012
|-
|"Cafe Surreal"
|''The Association''
|]
|2012
|-
|"Crasy Sound"
|''Elbow Room''
|]
|2012
|-
|"Evil"
|live performance on '']''
|]
|2012
|-
|"God Bless The Child"
|'']''
|]
|2012
|-
|"Loser"
|'']: Extended Episodes''
|]
|2012
|-
|"Misery"
|''] Presents: XDurance Series'' (with Rob Adelberg)
|YouTube
|2012
|-
|"Pineapple Gumdrop"
|''] 1st Look''
|]
|2012
|-
|"Still Standing"
|''Life After: ]''
|]
|2012
|-
|"Where Is Danny", "I Ain't The Walrus"
|] television advert
|cable
|2012
|-
|"Cafe Surreal"
|'']: Best Of'' promotional clip during ]
|]
|2013
|-
|"Malice In Blunderland"
|'']''
|]
|2013
|-
|"Man On The Moon"
|'']''
|]
|2013
|-
|"One Day It'll All Make Cents"
|'']''
|]
|2013
|-
|"Torture"
|'']''
|]
|2013
|-
|"Gibraltar (Danny!'s Pride And Vanity Remix)"
|] interview<ref>{{cite news | title = Just Blaze Interview | url = http://www.okayplayer.com/news/just-blaze-the-questions-video-interview.html | date = October 6, 2014 | access-date = July 11, 2014}}</ref>
|Okayplayer
|2014
|-
|"Check It Out"
|] anniversary sale summer promo
|cable and radio
|2014
|-
|"]"
|"]" episode of '']''
|FOX
|2014
|-
|"The Wheels On The Bus"
|"Party Bus" segment on '']''
|], ], YouTube
|2016
|-
|"Gangsta's Pair o' Dice", "Breakdance Bugaloo", "Walk Like This, No No Like This"
|"]" episode of '']''
|FOX
|2017
|}


== See also ==
Recently Danny has been compared, in a ''positive'' light, to MC's once associated with the ] camp<ref>{{cite news | first = Corey | last = Ciotti | title = Check It Out: Danny Swain | url = http://www.urb.com/promotions/next1000/profiles/319-Danny+Swain.php | publisher = '']'' | date = 2007-07-01 | accessdate = 2007-07-02}}</ref>. Seemingly more receptive to these statements than comparisons to ], the producer/rapper has proclaimed himself "A Tribe Called Quest on acid" on ''Charm'' 's "The Last Laugh". Interestingly, every album that Danny has released (excluding ''The College Kicked-Out'') includes at least one song with some sort of musical homage paid to A Tribe Called Quest. During the last lines on ''Charm'''s "Can't Wait", for example, the original beat drops for one ] and is replaced with the instrumental for Tribe's "Award Tour".
* ]

* ]
Danny incorporates an alternate style at times, but typically just sticks with the conversational, stream-of-consciousness flow he is most known for.
* ]


==Discography== == References ==
{{Reflist}}
===Albums===
''''']'''''
*Released: ], ]
*Chart positions: n/a
*U.S. Sales: n/a
*Last ]: n/a
*Singles: "I'm Movin' Out", "My Baby", "Second Time Around"
''''']'''''
*Released: ], ]
*Chart positions: n/a
*U.S. Sales: n/a
*Last ]: n/a
*Singles: "I Only Wanna Be With You", "V.I.P.", "My Whole World", "Fullaschidt"
''''']'''''
*Released: ], ]
*Chart positions: n/a
*U.S. Sales: n/a
*Last ]: n/a
*Singles: "Charm", "Strange Fruit", "Can't Wait", "Cafe Surreal"
''''']'''''
*Released: ], ]
*Chart positions: n/a
*U.S. Sales: n/a
*Last ]: n/a
*Singles: n/a
''''']'''''
*Released: ], ]
*Chart positions: n/a
*U.S. Sales: n/a
*Last ]: n/a
*Singles: n/a
''''']'''''
*Released: ], ]
*Chart positions: n/a
*U.S. Sales: n/a
*Last ]: n/a
*Singles: "Check It Out", "Fly, Pt. 2", "The World Is Yours"
''''']'''''
*Released: ], ]
*Chart positions: n/a
*U.S. Sales: n/a
*Last ]: n/a
*Singles: n/a

==References==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"><references /></div>


== External links == == External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{commons|Danny!}}
{{wikiquote|Danny!}} {{Wikiquote|Danny!}}
* * {{Official website|http://www.dannyswain.com}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p766332|label=Danny!}}
* Danny! on
* {{IMDb name|8780492}}
* Danny! on
* {{MusicBrainz artist}}
* Danny! on
* Danny! on
* Danny! on
* Danny! on
* Danny! on
* Danny! on


{{Danny!}}
== See also ==
* ]
* ]
* ]


{{Authority control}}


{{Danny!}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Danny}}
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Latest revision as of 21:34, 28 December 2024

American musician (born 1983)

Danny!
Background information
Birth nameDaniel Keith Swain
Born (1983-08-18) August 18, 1983 (age 41)
Killeen, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • record producer
  • singer
  • composer
  • voice actor
Years active2004–present
LabelsInterscope, Definitive Jux
Websitedannyswain.com
Musical artist

Daniel Keith Swain (born August 18, 1983), known mononymously as Danny!, is an American rapper, record producer, singer, and composer.

Swain rose to prominence after his debut performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where he premiered his song "Evil". After joining Okayplayer Records, Danny! released his album Payback, cited by AllMusic as one of the best hip-hop releases of the year. In 2013, Ebony magazine listed Swain among other rising artists in its "Leaders of the New School" piece, calling Swain one of a handful of "innovators".

Swain has composed background music that has since been placed in numerous motion pictures and television programs, most notably FOX's animated series Bob's Burgers for which Swain was awarded an Emmy plaque for his contributions to an episode that won in the Outstanding Animated Program category at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2017.

Early life

Swain, the only son of military parents, was born in Killeen, Texas and moved to Columbia, South Carolina, as a teenager. He attended Richland Northeast High School and began pursuing music as a hobby during his second year. Swain started penning his own lyrics and recorded songs as a showcase for his production.

Career

2004–2006: Early beginnings, Charm and instrumental albums

Main articles: The College Kicked-Out, F.O.O.D. (album), and Charm (Danny! album)

After spending nearly a year networking with local artists, Swain released his debut mixtape The College Kicked-Out. The record received mixed to unfavorable reviews—an up-and-coming Charlamagne tha God was among Kicked-Out's critics, panning the mixtape on air while working as a local radio station personality—which Swain would allude to in much of his later work.

Shortly after Kicked-Out's release Swain was accepted to the Savannah College of Art & Design and accordingly relocated to Savannah, Georgia. It was here that he began to work on his second project, F.O.O.D. The following year Swain officially released his third mixtape Charm, which was notable for featuring an underlying theme of escapism in its narrative of a musician who wants success in music to take him away from his day-to-day routine.

During this time Swain compiled an instrumental album, Dream, Interrupted, in an effort to promote his production; within two years the sequels Dream, Fulfilled and Dream, Extinguished would also be released.

It's all people telling you to do this and that… when you do what they say and it still doesn't work in your favor, it's like, 'well, I was fine the way I was'. You just got to keep moving. There's no guarantee for anything.


Swain, on instinct and perseverance
(GQ, 2014)

2007–2011: MTV, And I Love H.E.R. and Interscope era

See also: Danny Is Dead, And I Love H.E.R.: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, and Where Is Danny?

After Charm, Swain received his first big break when MTV played a role in securing him a recording contract with Definitive Jux, an independent music label, at the time helmed by El-P of Run the Jewels fame. The record deal allowed Swain to release an album through the label, promoting it with a 12" single and accompanying music video slated for an exclusive premiere on mtvU. Though the label's involvement would not amount to a released album—only the single "Just Friends", which charted on the Billboard Hot 100—the deal did establish an ongoing relationship between Swain and MTV, which began using his music extensively in various programs.

Swain self-released his debut album, the faux-soundtrack And I Love H.E.R. The album was cited at the time by publications such as Pitchfork, LA Weekly and ABC News as one of the best releases of the year. And I Love H.E.R. was also notable for introducing another musical direction for Swain, who was experimenting with hip house, downtempo and lounge/electronica to produce a sort of "lounge-hop" hybrid.

Following And I Love H.E.R.'s success, Swain completed the Where Is Danny? album. Interscope Records, through its short-lived digital distribution program, distributed a revamped version of the album on iTunes.

2012–present: Breakthrough, music licensing and The Book of Daniel

See also: Payback (album) and The Book of Daniel (album)

After the release of his third studio LP Payback, the title track of Swain's previous album was featured in a commercial for Sonos wireless speakers. Swain signed on as a composer for MTV's internal Hype Music label (later absorbed into Sony/ATV's Extreme Music production music library) and slowly transitioned into a producer role, landing instrumental placements with various Viacom television programming as well as commercials for Nordstrom, McDonald's, and incidental music for Bob's Burgers and its soundtrack, The Bob's Burgers Music Album.

In 2014, Swain started working on a new album, initially titled Deliverance, but later changed to The Book Of Daniel after the book in the Bible. During the album's development Swain appeared in Sesame Street's "Party Bus" video, which featured an original remix of "The Wheels on the Bus" composed by Swain. He also began working as a voiceover artist, narrating a season of Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL in 2016 for ESPN. The following year Swain was awarded an Emmy plaque from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for his musical contributions to the Bob's Burgers episode "Bob Actually" (Outstanding Animated Program, 2017), composing music for three scenes.

In 2015, a tracklist for The Book of Daniel was revealed at Swain's website. The album debut was announced for February 29, 2016, but it was not released. Another scheduled date, October 31, 2018, passed without the album release.

Despite a halt in studio releases, Swain continues to contribute to Bob's Burgers while composing library music and incidental cues under various aliases for Extreme Music.

Discography

Main article: Danny! discography

Studio albums

Instrumental albums

Production credits

Artist Song(s) Album Year
Danny Brown "Exotic", "The Nana Song" The Hybrid 2010
Danny Brown "Counterfeit", "Hey!"* Detroit State of Mind 4 2010
Lil B "The Game On Lock", "Illusions of G" Illusions of Grandeur 2 2012
Wale "Never Never Freestyle" Folarin 2012
Cody ChesnuTT "Scroll Call (Danny Swain Remix)" Landing on a Hundred: B-Sides & Remixes 2014

Film and television placements/credits

Song(s) Where Featured Network Year
"Intermission (interlude)" Jersey Shore After Hours MTV 2008
"Cafe Surreal" aMTV promotional bumper MTV 2009
"Ebony Flower" Wainy Days My Damn Channel 2009
"Check It Out" Disaster Date MTV 2011
"The Groove" Dina's Party HGTV 2011
"The Groove" Love Lust SundanceTV 2011
"The Groove" 2011 Comedy Awards Comedy Central 2011
"Cafe Surreal", "The Groove" Red Bull Signature Series: Supernatural NBC 2012
"Cafe Surreal" The Association ESPN 2012
"Crasy Sound" Elbow Room HGTV 2012
"Evil" live performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon NBC 2012
"God Bless The Child" Breaking Amish TLC 2012
"Loser" Breaking Amish: Extended Episodes TLC 2012
"Misery" Rockstar Presents: XDurance Series (with Rob Adelberg) YouTube 2012
"Pineapple Gumdrop" LXTV 1st Look NBC 2012
"Still Standing" Life After: Karyn White TV One 2012
"Where Is Danny", "I Ain't The Walrus" Sonos television advert cable 2012
"Cafe Surreal" Crown Royal: Best Of promotional clip during 2013 NBA Playoffs TNT 2013
"Malice In Blunderland" The Challenge: Rivals II MTV 2013
"Man On The Moon" Snooki & Jwoww MTV 2013
"One Day It'll All Make Cents" The Show with Vinny MTV 2013
"Torture" World of Jenks MTV 2013
"Gibraltar (Danny!'s Pride And Vanity Remix)" Just Blaze interview Okayplayer 2014
"Check It Out" Nordstrom anniversary sale summer promo cable and radio 2014
"Take Me To The Muddy Grass" "Work Hard or Die Trying, Girl" episode of Bob's Burgers FOX 2014
"The Wheels On The Bus" "Party Bus" segment on Sesame Street PBS, HBO, YouTube 2016
"Gangsta's Pair o' Dice", "Breakdance Bugaloo", "Walk Like This, No No Like This" "Bob Actually" episode of Bob's Burgers FOX 2017

See also

References

  1. ^ Jeffries, David (March 11, 2013). "Danny!: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  2. "Daniel Swain". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  3. Blotnick, Emmy (September 21, 2012). "Danny! Performs 'Evil'". NBC. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  4. Ramirez, Erika (January 13, 2011). "Exclusive: ?uestlove Announces Okayplayer Records Re-Launch, New Albums By Danny!, Young Guru". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 16, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  5. Staff, AMG (December 20, 2012). "AllMusic's Favorite Hip-Hop/Rap Albums of 2012". AllMusic. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  6. Carter, Kelley (January 2, 2013). "Leaders Of The New School". Ebony Magazine. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  7. ^ "Bob's Burgers: Awards & Nominations". Emmys.com. January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  8. Jackson, Deborah (March 11, 2009). "Military People: Danny Swain". Military Hub. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
  9. Anto, Julio (December 4, 2012). "Danny! Discusses New Album Payback, Co-signs From Jay-Z And Blank, And The Evolution Of DIY In Hip-Hop". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  10. ^ Swain, Daniel (January 2, 2018). "Danny!: Discography". DannySwain.com. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  11. ^ Stelios, Phili (March 5, 2014). "The GQ+A: Danny Swain On Getting Shown Questlove Love, Major Label Breakups, and His Plan for 2014". GQ. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  12. Welte, Tim (January 27, 2007). "Danny Swain Wins mtvU Contest". TV.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2007.
  13. Stoehr, John (January 28, 2007). "Local Student Wins MTV Award". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved September 11, 2007.
  14. Howard, Jacinta (April 28, 2009). "Don't Sleep On Danny!". Creative Loafing. Archived from the original on May 4, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2009.
  15. Love, Joshua (October 18, 2008). "Danny!: And I Love H.E.R. (Album Review)". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  16. Weiss, Jeff (August 1, 2008). "The 10 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of The Half-Year". LA Weekly. Retrieved August 17, 2008.
  17. Raible, Allan (January 2, 2009). "The 50 Best Albums of 2008: Nos. 25 to 1". ABC News. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
  18. Loss-Eaton, Nicholas (November 12, 2010). "Discovering New Music Artists in the Digital Age: Interscope Digital Distribution Reaches Beyond DIY". PR Newswire. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  19. "Danny! – 'Where Is Danny'". iTunes. May 17, 2011. Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  20. Jones, Jeffrey (September 10, 2013). "Hype Music: Roster". MTV. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  21. "Internet Movie Database: Danny Swain". IMDb. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  22. Saul, Heather (February 10, 2016). "Kanye West Says Bill Cosby Is Innocent". The Independent. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  23. Danny Swain (January 15, 2019). "Danny! – The Book Of Daniel". Dannyswain.com. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  24. "Just Blaze Interview". October 6, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.

External links

Danny!
Discography
Studio albums
Instrumental albums
EPs
Compilations
Categories: