A Chat with El Gant (29.10.25)
El Gant, the project of Josh Gent, is a New York rapper who has been in the game for over 20 years. He has collaborated with legendary producer DJ Premier. We chat with El Gant about his new album, Gantatello, the state of hip-hop, his favourite albums and more.
OSR: You’ve been quoted as saying that Gantatello is your best work to date. Are there any particular reasons why you’re so happy with it?
El Gant: I’m always growing as an artist, I like to think, and on this album I feel like I’ve hit my sweet spot. I think after coming out of the other side through years of trials and tribulations, as well as being a student of the game, I was more prepared than ever to make the album I really wanted to make.
OSR: Starting out, did you feel that you had to work harder to make it as a white rapper in what was predominantly a black genre?
El Gant: Yes and no. I feel like since when I started, when there weren’t many white rappers, being white automatically got people’s attention. After that novelty wore off, I had to definitely work hard because white rappers started to get a bad stigma, with a lot of them having a lack of authenticity. Fortunately, my skills spoke for themselves.
OSR: What do you think about the current state of hip-hop? Who are some of your favourite emcees, and are there any you try to replicate?
El Gant: I think people complain about it a lot, but there are so many talented artists out there. I think when rappers in my genre stop comparing themselves to the mainstream current artists and realize that what we do is a different genre, they can focus better on building what we do. Some of my favorite MCs are legends. Black Thought, Scarface, Kool G Rap, etc. I don’t try to replicate, but I definitely draw inspiration from them!
OSR: There is a track on the album called ‘Ricky Steamboat’ and you name-drop other wrestling legends like Shawn Michaels, Diesel & Jake Roberts on other tracks. I take it you were a big fan growing up?
El Gant: Huge! I just loved the whole show of it growing up. The characters, the whole idea of staying in character outside of the ring (kayfabe). Also, how hard these guys worked for a little bit of notoriety, and the crazy stories behind so many of their lives. Super interesting, and I still pay homage to it.
OSR: I love the track ‘Beware’! The guitar sample is very 80s rock. I take it you enjoy a lot of different music outside of hip-hop?
El Gant: I’m a huge rock fan. Metal, punk, classic rock, new wave, you name it. I think having an eclectic palate leaves you open to being a more well-rounded artist, but 75% of what I listen to on a daily basis is outside the realm of hip-hop.
OSR: What does Martello Sousa bring to the table as a producer? I think he must’ve learnt some of his sampling techniques from DJ Premier! It’s a very similar style.
El Gant: When I was introduced to him, I was blown away. He is just such a natural talent. A lot of times, it’s hard to draw the line with him as far as what’s sampled and what he is playing live, and I was just really drawn to his rhythms and how his brain operated. Some people are just born with it, and he is one of them.
OSR: How did you come to work with DJ Premier on your 2022 track ‘Leave Me Alone’? Had you known each other for a while? The track has that sinister, captivating kind of beat he is renowned for. What are your favourite productions by Preemo?
El Gant: Preemo and I have been good friends for over a decade. We were introduced when I was with Ras Kass, when he was a guest on his show, and we just hit it off as friends. He’s another person who has a super eclectic palate in music, so I think we first bonded over that and then just having a similar sense of humor. So when he said he had an instrumental or two for me, of course I jumped at the chance!
With Preemo, as one might think, even with our friendship and all of the joking around we do, once you step in that studio with him, he is no nonsense. That’s why he is the legend he is. I still think ‘til this day ‘Moment of Truth’ is one of my favorite tracks from him. I also love all the work he did on the Group Home album, but seriously, there’s nothing he does that I don’t like.
OSR: How was your recent 8-date tour of France? Are you keen to do some shows in the UK?
El Gant: Great tour! Fans were super receptive, and it’s the first time I got to perform some of the new tracks live. Planning a tour in the rest of Europe this spring, so it was a good test run!
OSR: If you had to choose, what is your strongest track to date and why?
El Gant: I love the new album so much, but to this day, I think a track I did in 2003 called ‘So Simple’ is still my strongest. My brother (J Blanc) produced it, and it’s just such a personal tribute to hip-hop, and I feel great every time I hear or perform it.
OSR: What are your top five hip-hop albums of all time?
El Gant: Don’t do this to me!!! In no particular order:
1. Mobb Deep – The Infamous
2. Raekwon – Only Built for Cuban Links
3. Outkast – ATLiens
4. The Roots – Do You Want More
5. Scarface – The Diary
Thanks to El Gant for talking to The Other Side Reviews. Learn more about him on his Instagram, Facebook and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Steaming Kettle PR.
