As a boy from Minnesota, El Guante has made himself a myriad of careers ranging from a poet/emcee to a hip-hop rapper. He competed in the National Poetry Slam in 2006 and 2007 and teaches poetry and hip-hop workshops to youth. In addition, he has facilitated a few classes here at the University of Wisconsin dealing with social justice and activism.

Writing and rapping now for seven years, El Guante, who released his first album to the public this March, aims to inspire and reach out to those music gurus who want something more than just a pretty melody to listen to. He uses words and music to express himself, labeling himself as ?a pretty shy, introverted, almost anti-social person.?

?Writing, recording and performing give me a platform from which I can reach out to other people, communicate with them, open up all kinds of social, cultural and political dialogues while expressing myself,? El Guante told The Badger Herald during a recent interview.

Contrary to what most bashful people would imagine doing with their lives, El Guante finds more comfort on stage in front of a large crowd rather than busting a move at a local house party.

Although the Rathskeller has seen larger crowds, this did not stop El Guante from performing last Saturday as if he were at the Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee. Including the audience in his songs made the performance more engaging; however, most of the attendees found their own way to participate. Forming circles in front of the stage, various people took turns break dancing to his influential songs. Not only did these kids dance, they taught the unfortunate who did not know how to ?break it down? to do so as well.

While many crowd members at his performances are full of younger folk, El Guante?s lyrics are meant for people of all ages. The song ?The Mommy Effect? has no music but is rather an insightful poem about mothers? compassion for their children and the effects war has on them as a result. Other song themes include greed (which is actually the title of one of his many songs), love and religion. The aforementioned ?Greed? tells three different stories, all explaining how people are greedy not just with money but also by wasting their potential to do greater things; meanwhile the beat in this song is danceable, similar to Eminem?s ?Lose Yourself.?

Along the same lines, ?Black Clouds on Neptune? articulates the problems of religion in society. This song is particularly interesting because it is a series of four songs rolled into one, each broken up by a clamorous church bell.

El Guante?s primary focus is not entirely on the melodies and overall quality of music in his songs. Instead, he cares more about the lyrics and message he is getting across to his listeners.

?A lot of hip-hop artists bludgeon you with their talent ? they have hot beats, airtight flows and solid stage shows, and they hit you over the head with all that until you love them,? El Guante said. ?And I support all that, but my goal is to be more like a knife than a blunt object. My goal is to stab the listener in the heart with some content that

really means something.?

For those who are wondering, El Guante means ?the glove? in Spanish, an interesting choice of name for any performer. But the rapper explained his reasoning behind this odd choice.

?It?s a long and convoluted story, full of action, heartbreak and melodrama. I can say that it was a name given to me by one of my best friends, but beyond that, I have to keep at least a little bit of mystery around me. I?ve actually started telling different stories whenever someone asks me, so there?s a couple different urban legends floating around out there. If people really want to know, they?ll have to ask me in person at a show.?

While all of his songs are appealing in their potential to influence his audience, the actual beats and musical abilities lack greatness on his new album, El Guante?s Haunted Studio Apartment.

Not to worry, though ? he has released a book as well, so, if his rapping doesn?t suit your musical preference, but you dig the lyrics, read his book Shotgun Samurai Vampire Hip Hop. His true talent is in this book, containing his poetry, song lyrics and an assortment of essays, and while El Guante?s urge to influence is respectable, it would be better received if he kept it in poetry form rather than hip-hop style.