Wake The City (Guante + See More Perspective): "Shotgun Soliloquy"

Wake The City is a blossoming collaborative project between Tru Ruts emcees Guante and See More Perspective. This song comes from See More Perspective's Boombox Emporium. It will be exciting to hear more from the duo soon.

Wake The City: "Shotgun Soliloquy"

Guante & Big Cats!: "The Hero"

Last week, I posted "One of These Mornings (Remix)" from the excellent debut studio collaboration from Guante & Big Cats!, the Start a Fire EP. Now, Tru Ruts generously gave me the go ahead to post one more teaser from that EP, "The Hero." The track features Guante demonstrating his polished storytelling abilities over a heavily chopped piano loop from Big Cats!. You can expect more of the same chemistry on the rest of the EP, which you can pick up at the Start A Fire EP Release Party on Saturday, May 9 at The Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis.

Guante & Big Cats!: "The Hero" (Re-uploaded the link with Mediafire because Zshare was giving me trouble)

Guante & Big Cats!: "One Of These Mornings (Remix)"

Local rapper El Guante has created quite a buzz due to his incredible live shows together with producer Big Cats!. The two have finally hooked up to put down some studio material, in the form of their Start A Fire EP. I received a digital press copy of the EP just the other day, and I must say it more than meets my expectations. The EP may be available for a short time for digital download, pending approval from the Tru Ruts crew. In the meantime, though, here is a teaser from the EP, which Culture Bully posted earlier today. I'll be following this up with one additional leak erly next week, so keep checking back.

Additionally, Culture Bully and Tru Ruts are co-hosting the Start A Fire EP release party. Hit this link for more information.

Lastly, El Guante submitted a stellar Big Cats! produced track for the Midwest Broadcast mixtape. But I'm not gonna let you get yours hand on that. Yet.

Guante & Big Cats!: "One Of These Mornings (Remix)"

El Guante: Pioneer Press Feature + Video

The Pioneer Press recently published a nice article about El Guante and posted a video profile as well. Check the article here.

Hip-Hop Against Homophobia: Preview

With some insight from El Guante, here's a video preview of the upcoming Hip-Hop Against Homophobia concert. BIG shout to all those participating in this event for taking such a progressive stance that is not commonly shared across rap music.

El Guante: A Capella + "Ink" (Live Video)

Thanks to those at Above The Fold, there is some footage of the El Guante/Big Cats show that I regrettably missed on the 2nd. El Guante spits an ill a capella verse, and then transitions into his song, "Ink." If you don't have his mixtape, Conscious Is Not Enough, or his album, El Guante's Haunted Studio Apartment, then you are seriously missing out on some real hip-hop. I provided a download for "Ink" below the video.



El Guante: "Ink"

Concert Announcement: Big Quarters at 7th Street Entry

This will be a good show, guaranteed. Not only are Big Quarters taking the stage, but Kristoff Krane, Hyder Ali, Carnage, and the homie El Guante will be rocking the mic as well. I'm unfortunately going to be in Northern Minnesota until early on December 31, so I can't make it. Still, I give this show a strong cosign, and encourage you to attend. And if anyone wants to shoot some footage and send it over to me, please feel more than welcome to do so!