El Gant
In this edition of INews Interviews we have invited El Gant, a name very well known in Hip-Hop and not so much to others (just like myself I must admit) to answer a couple of questions about him, his projects and hip-hop in general.
1. First of all let’s start with your name, El Gant, what’s the history behind it and what does it stands for?
El Gant is actually an acronym foe Everything Lacking Greatness Accomplishes Nothing Tangible.. Basically this is how I live my life.. Lots of people who label themselves as artists at some point decide to stop learning or evolving and stay in one place once they reached a certain level of success. A true artist never stops learning and remains humble because the world around them will never stop for them you know? So the name basically represents my drive… and works out well cause Im also pretty fond of Garcia Vegas!
2. I know that you have a degree in Communication. Was it in any way helpful or somewhat related to what you do now?
Absolutely.. When I went to college most of the people around me were either drop outs or dealing with the law in some way or another. I always maintained my head no matter what I was involved in. So when I went to college, that was the only major that applied to my passion in life, entertainment. I actually studied rhetorical communication which more or less explains how and why people communicate in different ways. So it was only logical to study it!
3. I know that you have been rhyming for about 13/14 years, but you entered the business side of it in 2001. What kept you going?
Well Ive been rhyming since I was 10.. I took a lot of time through my teenage years to develop my style and learn different elements of hip hop through experience. When I got out of college in 2001, I decided to take it seriously.. It keeps me going as a person. I’ve never woke up in the morning and thought anything else other than “I want to be an MCâ€. And more importantly, the way my music affects people and the love they give makes it all worth it. And trust me, I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface!
4. Battle MC-ing, was the 1st step to many rappers, some remain, some step it up a notch. How is that worked for you? (I know that you received some big exposure when you performed on MTV's Direct Effect.)
It's definitely been a gift and a curse. I truly feel that it has become something today that it wasn’t originally. It used to be the foundation of hip hop, where crews would meet up and test each others skills for bragging rights. Its how I earned my stripes being a white kid among mostly black kids. I think now it has little or no bearing on how good of an artist someone is. How many battle rappers go on to write great music? Not many. And that’s why I stepped away from it. The exposure was great, but then I was labeled as a battle rapper, and not an artist. I would rather be known for explosive music instead of being a comedian off the top of the head on the mic for 30 seconds.
5. What Nacierma represents to you, how and when did it started?
Nacirema is American backwards started by my brother and producer Blanc. It’s basically a mind state, us showing people the flipside of America, the real bullshit beneath the common depiction of America and our way of life, being kids from NY who have been exposed to so much while embedded in the culture. After I left my last deal, and hid out in the studio for awhile, we thought it was only right to make a movement and have labels come to us instead of us using their formula….and its dope cause it’s paying off!
6. I have learned recently from a Romanian Dj (Dj Dox) that your songs(especially El Gant single) and many more have been promoted in genre by Djs at battles and hip-hop club parties. Where do you situate the Dj in Hip-Hop ?
Im a huge fan of the DJ and think its one of the most important elements of hip hop. The DJ can make or break a record. That’s why I always show djs love first and do drops and interviews as much as possible.. No matter how ill you are DJs can end your career! I’ve also been spinning for about 10 years myself…just because I’ve always been fascinated with it… I’d be lost without my 1210s!
7. Do you consider your presence in some Romanian Hip-Hop mixtapes, trough your mind blowing instrumentals, a recognition of your skills and heart you put in your music that reached ends of the world that you wouldn’t think of?
It's funny because for awhile I didn’t even know my music was being heard in Romania, till I found out my first album was distributed there without me knowing. Its only when I started hitting myspace up a few years back that I would get emails from fans there. I think its dope and I think a lot of Romanian fans really have a deep respect and admiration of hip hop based on the questions they ask me and the feedback I get. It makes me happy to know that with no promotion…my music has affected people so far away. Im now starting to talk to some people about possible doing a tour out there and putting more of my music in stores, and giving some love back!
8. Are you happy with the way things worked out for you? Is this the path you have seen your self walking on?
%100. All the ups and downs I’ve been through have been lessons and made me what I am today.. Especially because I’m just getting started…
9. Trough out your tours where did you meet the most explosive crowd, I know every town has it’s own flavor, but still it has to be one or more places that impressed you.
My hometown in upstate NY is always fun because everyone is a friend of mine and feel proud but honestly I think the my favorite show was in a small snowboarding town called Jackson Hole in Wyoming….which is the least populated state in America.. Smaller towns like that go off the wall when you perform and give you energy that you end up giving back. I was hanging from the rafters by the end of that one!
10. Tell me about Hungry vol.1, 2. The Cover what does it represents, symbolize? I have noticed that some part of the frontal artwork for the vol.2 had been covered; Why is that?
Well the picture was found by my brother and apparently is a guy eating a leg or something which obviously shows how “Hungry†I am. The reason I covered the second one is because people were really fucked up by it. some even offended. Not that I really mind, but I wanted to get it into as many stores as possible… and I figured that would be the road of least resistance.
11. How was the “Hungry Vol. 2†received by the public. What’s the feedback on this material?
It’s great because I’ve evolved so much. Its funny the feedback I get. This album obviously has a sound that the general public is more attracted to. Basically because I’m not rhyming as fast. Some of my hardcore fans were mad at me for rhyming slower. All i’ve been doing is learning how to ride rhythms better. You can’t approach every beat the same way, it doesn’t work! So I still have my fast style, it’s just another gun in my arsenal.. But seriously people love the new shit especially when I do it live. I think a lot of the material applies to most peoples everyday lives so its easy for them to identify with it. A lot of people have gotten too drunk, or been fucked over by a girl, or questioned why they were on earth to begin with….I like reaching out to them.
12. What about “The plan beâ€. How things got started? And the obvious question (smile) why “The plan beâ€?
The Plan Be is my crew that basically consists of my brother, my boy Pius, and a few other people I’ve come up with. It definitely contains more of a live soulful element…..but its also a launching pad for talented artists I think deserve a chance to shine. The name basically means it’s a Plan to “beâ€...or exists the way we want; and lets be serious …it’s a also an alternative to Plan A!
13. How long do you see yourself doing what you love the most, and by this I mean Hip-Hop? (for real)
Seriously I couldn’t set an age…. I mean I’m in my 20s now…so I would stop when I was no longer relevant, or though I didn’t have anything left to say… It’s hard to make that prediction now, because I’ve never felt as strong or confident than this year!
14. Let’s say that you’re 12 years old again (in the year 2007) (don’t laugh, stay with me on this). Would you do this all over again? And who would be an inspiration to you in today’s hip-hop scene (3 names if there is someone).
I would definitely. I have friends that make 10 times as much as me…but haven’t had a quarter of the fun or sense of self satisfaction… If I was 12 Id be a smartass like I was then and support Black Thought of the Roots, Talib Kweli, and anything Dr Dre puts his seal of approval on…
15. I have established my mark at 15 questions, and as you can see we have reached it. Last one is not going to be a question is rather a stereotype: A couple of words for your fans in Romania and true Hip-Hop fans out there!
Yeah…I just want to say …thanks for the support you guys have given me! More importantly thanks to you…plan on seeing me live in Romania….drinking excessively with you, and passing out on your couch! Peace!
                                                                                                                                                             
By KeV [ [email protected] ]
