AL GATOR

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Al Gator Da Free Agent
Groomed and nurtured on the usage of similes and metaphors, Hip-Hop has drastically strayed away from the art of Mic control. The days where it was the MC that held your attention have all but been eradicated. Lyrics have been substituted for hot beats and outlandish dances. But there is a glimmer of light at the end of a long tunnel; one that has seen very little illumination this century and the individual holding the torch is Atlanta’s own, Al Gator.
Alden ‘Al Gator’ Portress was raised on the infamous streets of College Park, which have birthed some of Atlanta’s most distinguished Hip-Hop brethren. Initially he started working in music production and shortly after taking that path, Gator joined a collective called Playaz Circle, which now is more commonly known to the masses as DTP. This affiliation enabled him to sharpen his writing skills and dedicate time to studying the art of emceeing and comprehend exactly what being a true lyricist entailed.
A moment of self realization came about only a year later, when Alden successfully surpassed even his own expectations as he tackled the areas deemed mandatory for those who chose to educate and entertain through beat and rhyme. The producing which had encouraged his presence in the music world was to take a back seat while he stepped up to the Mic. His charismatic flow and ability to amuse and educate any listener with his extensive vocabulary and distinctive wordplay has been compared by many to the icons that have come before him, which makes him nothing less than a legend in the making.
Just by his witty and enigmatic flow, Al Gator has acquired the attention of not only the streets, but A-List producers, world renowned DJs, and executives from an extensive list of labels. And after recognizing his lyrical presence, heavy hitting producers such as The Alchemist, JR Rotem, Focus (Aftermath Ent.), Anthony Dent, Jazzy Pha, Nitti, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Mr. DJ from Organized Noise, Bei Maejor and Rick Rock have acknowledged that this College Park Master of Ceremonies has what it takes to direct and dominate the products they purvey.
But his ability to control a beat and maintain the watchful eye of producers and execs alike didn’t stop there. Al Gator has encouraged attention from innumerable media outlets throughout the world such as The Source and Right On! Magazine’s ‘Unsigned Talent’ to watch in 2005, Ozone’s Magazine ‘Patiently Waiting’ artist in 2006 and the infamous AllHipHop.com ‘Breeding Ground’ column. With all this attention directed his way, Gator is more than able to demonstrate how ‘southern’ Hip-Hop is about to take on a totally different meaning while the Mic is in his hand.
Gator has created a buzz by feeding the streets what has been called a ‘classic’ mixtape, which moved over 10,000. The tape Da Free Agent Vol. 1 was nothing but an appetizer of what he has in store for the fan base he is constantly accumulating. His anticipated sophomore mixtapes with DJ Scream Heavy In Da Streets: Un-Reasonable Doubt and Dow Jones Block Bizness -CP 2 CPT are like his first endeavor, expected to be masterpieces. Because of the impact made with Da Free Agent Vol.1, Gator was able to call on a couple of friends to join him on these mixtapes.
When it is an AG project you are listening to, you should always expect the unexpected. Look forward to appearances by artists such as Too Short, Focus (Aftermath Ent./A.Fam Records)and numerous other influential hip-hop artists on these tapes as well as the presence of Kool G Rap. When you have an icon like G Rap saying this about you, "my man Al Gator, the new problem from the south with fully automatic wordplay," it is obviously apparent that this fully qualified MC is about to walk with his head held high into the industry.
And after receiving overwhelming feedback from his material, Gator has been approached by A&R executives from Def Jam, Columbia Records, Star Trak Entertainment, SoSo Def Recordings, TVT Records, Blackbaby Ent., Universal, Atlantic and Roc-A-Fella Records. When asked how he felt about the response he has received, Gator humbly says, “I’m very gracious to be receiving all the support that I’m getting from everyone.”
Gator explains that his ultimate goal is to be mentioned as one of the top 5 Greatest MCs of all time. For the average MC this may be an unattainable goal, but for Gator all he needs is a microphone and a crowd to make his dreams a reality. His Mic control is undeniable, his presence unrivaled and his determination unquestionable and as some of the greatest MCs that ever touched a Mic have past away while others have retired, there is a sure place in the spotlight for Al Gator.
Hip-Hop is about survival of the fittest and Al Gator is definitely ready, willing and able to take the rap game on his back. The question is are we ready for him? He isn’t snapping and he isn’t shoulder leaning, Al Gator is reminding us all about what attributes a real MC should exude. And with a respect for those that have come before and encouraged the longevity of Hip-Hop, Al Gator is the epitome of an MC.
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