In an industry where artists trade identity for dollars and mediocrity is a mainstay on Top 10 playlists, it's refreshing to see an artist stay true to his or her craft. As tempting as it is to change one's style, most musicians could care less about acceptance, concerning themselves more with musical integrity than record sales.

South Carolina rapper/producer Danny, who recently released his second instrumental album "Dream, Fulfilled", is one out of a handful of artists that still lives by this ethos; appealing to many crowds without ever conforming to one, many consider Danny to be a breath of fresh air in a genre cluttered with uninspiring and often unintelligent music. His breakthrough 2006 album "Charm", which received a nod from the Recording Academy with selected songs being placed onto the first-tier 49th Annual Grammy ballot, is the follow-up to 2005's lauded but quickly-forgotten "F.O.O.D.". Now, with his upcoming EP "Danny Is Dead", Danny is poised to show not only his fickle hometown but the entire globe what his purpose is: making good music.

Born in the early '80s to a mother and father both enlisted in the U.S. Army, Danny began to develop a deep love for music as a child; years passed and by the age of 15 he was adept in creating keyboard- driven beats on his Yamaha with ease. 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. While enrolled at Claflin University Danny continued to experiment with music production, developing a cult following around his school in the process. Drawing warranted though unwanted comparisons to established producers of the era -- some comparisons which, to this day, have both helped and hindered the progression of his music career greatly -- he learned a variety of techniques in a short amount of time, and in 2002 felt compelled to work on a solo debut, tentatively titled "The Danny Swain LP".

As the oft-told story goes, however, the album never came to pass. During production on his self-titled project Danny was accused of changing grades for over 300+ students at his college, a charge that he vehemently denies to this day. The ambitious MC was expelled from Claflin University and forced to retreat to his hometown in November of 2003. His credibility harshly damaged and his dreams forcefully snatched from him, Danny woefully put away the pen, pad and equipment and vowed to quit music for good.

After a brief bout with depression and subsequent alcohol abuse, Danny quickly bounced back and spent much of 2004 juggling jobs, rebuilding his reputation and vigorously trying to re-launch his music career. A year after the grade controversy Danny resurfaced in the Columbia hip-hop circuit and released his first official album, "The College Kicked-Out". Though a decent project in its own right, the success of "The College Kicked-Out" was panned as a knock-off of a sound already established by fellow rapper/producer Kanye West. Local on-air personalities and fellow South Carolina artists heckled Danny tremendously for his efforts, accusing him of "biting".

Undaunted, Danny decided to pursue a degree once more and moved to rural Georgia in January 2005 to re-enroll in college at the Savannah College of Art & Design; shortly after starting classes he began work on a second LP entitled "F.O.O.D." (Finding Out Our Destination). The project was released in May of 2005 and while a solid effort, it failed to match the fresh, unafraid sound established by "The College Kicked-Out". Whereas his first album was defined by crisp production and light-hearted tunes, "F.O.O.D." was a combination of angry and at times self-deprecating lyrics over somber backdrops. Incidentally, the album received little attention, a sharp contrast to "The College Kicked-Out"'s rampant publicity.

With "Charm", however, Danny "finally got it right". The intentional double-entendre of a title serves both as an acknowledgment of how Danny wins fans over as well as an affirmation that the third time around is indeed the "charm". Narrating the dream of an aspiring musician who longs for stardom, "Charm" is a concept album in the vein of The Miracles' 1975 masterpiece "City Of Angels". Part-cautionary, part-entertaining -- and eerily prophetic -- every track leads into the next, building off of the previous song's momentum. The 21-track disc, which boasts an impressive but slim guest roster and a surprise twist ending, was praised for being an enjoyable album about the ups and downs of overnight success.

"Charm" would go on to gain the attention of music critics and fans worldwide, enabling Danny to reach a massive audience and finally escape obscurity and anonymity. Months after its release "Charm" found its way onto the initial ballot for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, helping Danny transform from an unlikely sensation to a rising star on the verge. His breakout success came at a most inappropriate time as Danny had long maintained in interviews that "Charm" was indeed his farewell album. However, after entering a contest sponsored by Definitive Jux and MTVU, Danny was selected as the grand prize winner and the recipient of an exclusive album & video deal. Now on Def Jux and forced out of "retirement", Danny has fans around the globe looking forward to what the young MC/producer will cook up next.