By Becca Martin-Marx
An eruption is happening onstage but the two women center front fixing their hair are oblivious. Their apathy is infuriating as his words hang in the air, but it is simply more fuel for the inferno that is Guante. His words torch the misogyny towards LBTG, the broken political status quo, the racial divide, sexism, rape culture, prejudice, the entitled 1% and equally important the other percentage that can close their eyes to it all in denial.
Guante is an accomplished educator who has spoken in front of the U.N, a two-time National Poetry Slam champion, and has been featured in Upworthy three times. Most recently the spoken word hip hop artist has been dedicating his passion to TrueArtSpeaks. The MN program organizes annual youth poetry slams and is centered on “critical literacy, youth leadership, and social justice through spoken word and hip hop.”
A Love Song, A Death Rattle, A Battle Cry is a 22 track force of nature. Old song, new songs, exclusive remixes and live poetry make it a comprehensive package. The contributors are like a who’s who of local talent including Kristoff Krane, Chastity Brown, deM atlaS, Lydia Liza, Claire de Lune and sometime Minnesotan Haley Bonar. As a producer you cannot beat Big Cats who is attached to a number of the tracks. Although the messages are strong, the craftsmanship and musicianship is superb. Chastity Brown’s plaintive refrain to the chilling lyrics “hold your applause, hold it forever, there so much that keeps us apart, and so little that keeps us together” makes ‘Lightning’ a thing of beauty. ‘You Say Millionaire Like It’s a Good Thing’ is stark and aggressive, referencing cannibalism as a tongue in cheek solution to the haves having too much. The poem ‘The Family Business’ is a devastatingly sharp example of how Guante can navigate a global issue into a personal narrative. Possessed of an acerbic wit he dares one to look in the mirror at their own flawed existence in ‘REACH’.
Guante is powerful, driven and socially concious-with a voice that should be heard. The attendance of a live performance is emphatically advised. He will deliver something rare and at times uncomfortable. Do your hairdo at home and show up prepared to have a thought provoking experience. One that might leave you not only better for this world, but more importantly inspired to better this world.
https://guante.bandcamp.com/album/a-love-song-a-death-rattle-a-battle-cry
http://www.guante.info/
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