"The new album proves expansively witty, El Guante keeping his snarled sense of humor even when harping on the finer points of art and hip hop..." --The Onion AV Club 3/5/08
(at Hip Hop Against Homophobia; photo by Jon Behm)
ACCOLADES:
~2009 National Poetry Slam CHAMPION (St. Paul team)
~2009 St. Paul Grand Poetry Slam Champion
~2008 Minneapolis Grand Poetry Slam Champion
~2006 Madison Grand Poetry Slam Champion
~2008 URB Magazine "Next 1000"
~One of City Pages' "Artists of the Year" for 2008
~City Pages' "Best Slam Poet" for 2009
~2008 Independent Music Awards Finalist/Nominee for Best Hip Hop Album (El Guante's Haunted Studio Apartment) and Best Hip Hop Song (One of These Mornings)
~People's Choice for "Best Slam Poet" and the "Artist/Activist" Award at the 2009 Urban Griots Awards
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
~Soundset 2009 w/ Atmosphere, the Pharcyde, MF DOOM, Brother Ali and Freeway
~Ripple Effect 2008 (Anti-RNC concert) w/ Spearhead, dead prez, Anti-Flag and Rage Against the Machine
~Homegrown Hip Hop Festival 2007 w/ Brother Ali and Rhymefest
~Homegrown Hip Hop Festival 2008 w/ Kid Sister and Doomtree
~Forward Music Festival 2008 w/ Neko Case and Killdozer
~2008 Iraq Veterans Against the War National Conference
~Manifestation '09 w/ Sage Francis and B.Dolan
~2009 B-Side Jazz Festival w/ Mr. Lif and Dessa
~various other shows w/ Talib Kweli, Zion I, P.O.S., Immortal Technique, PM Dawn, One.Be.Lo, Mac Lethal, DJ Vadim, Percee P and many others.
AS A WRITER AND ACTIVIST:
I’ve facilitated university-level courses dealing with racism, sexism, homophobia and identity in general, helped organize countless social justice-oriented conferences and events, written for and edited a number of publications and helped raise money for progressive organizations through benefit shows, compilation CDs and more. Recently, I spearheaded/curated the "Hip Hop Against Homophobia" series, which has been very successful. I’m currently most involved in performing arts workshops and programs for youth—I’ve worked in dozens of elementary, middle and high schools across the Midwest, doing both one-time guest lectures or longer residencies. I also freelance, and can currently be found at CultureBully.com and my own blog, “Why Is Guante So Angry?. I’ve been published at DaveyD.com, Isthmus, The Liberator, Women in RedZine and many other publications.
BOOKING INFO: For all bookings, collaborations, adding songs to compilations, getting me to lead workshops, all that kind of stuff, hit up the management: info@truruts.com | 612-288-9491 | TRU RUTS MYSPACE
Just wanted to stop by and let you know I’m excited to announce the release of my debut album: skindeep “Reflection of me” be sure and check out my blog hit the link support the cause. Profile includes 2 unreleased tracks thanks pc and be blessed. skindeep
Mark this on your calendar. This Friday September 11th @ The Blue Nile. 2-4-1's anything from 8-10pm, and Drink specials all night and special performance by Budah Tye. Come and support the movement. Live Reggaeton and Hip-Hop. Free t-shirt giveaways from Stack Duckets
STRONGHOLD RECORDINGS & KRS-ONE are accepting submissions 4 the upcoming MN Temple Of Hiphop project. Artists get 1 song w/ KRS, this track will be included on the album, & artists will also be featured on the documentary.
Come one come all!! this friday saturday an sunday!! Cotteleer Days a festival of live hip hop an rock bands, camping, beer pong battles, tippy cup championship, an much much more!! including the one an only known 100+ foot down hill slip an slide!!! Celebrate the life of a ledgend! Cotteleer Days!! this weekend in St. Croix falls, WI, a hop skip an a jump from the minnesnowta boarder, located off hwy 8 behind Boss Equipment... This is a yearly event that will continue growing each year, please join the beginings of a monumental celebration an show up at the most wild party the midwest will ever know!!! 20$ for the weekend of camping an all inside events included!! for more details visit Cotteleer Days on my top friends list an view the video form las years event!! hope to see you an many more!!