Alexander Gentil’s Raw Planet Takes Flight
Born in Colombia and based in New York, Alexander Gentil is a DJ, producer, and sound designer who is here to stay!
By 6AM
November 8, 2024 at 12:00 AM PT
Hailing from the vibrant coastal city of Barranquilla, Colombia, and now based in the heart of New York City, Alexander Gentil is a multifaceted artist making significant strides in the music industry. A talented DJ, producer, and sound engineer, Gentil is renowned for his innovative and experimental approach to music production. His work has been recognized by industry heavyweights, including a remix featured on Scumdolly's double-vinyl release and a track included in Franco Cinelli's curated house compilation for DJ Mag Latinoamérica. Beyond his solo work, Gentil has also launched Errant Recordings, a New York-based label dedicated to pushing the boundaries of music through diversity, experimentation, and cutting-edge technology.
Today Alexander sits down with 6AM to talk creating Errrant Recordings, cultural inspiration, and his future projects!
Hi Alexander! Thanks so much for talking to 6AM how are you doing?
I’m doing great here in Queens, NYC! I’m especially excited because I just introduced my new project, Raw Planet, to the world.
You just released "Raw Planet" on your own imprint Errant Recordings, Can you break down what "Raw Planet" means to you and the journey you want listeners to experience? Is there a particular track that captures that vision best?
Raw Planet is a celebration of life’s chaotic beauty. Our everyday lives are hectic, full of highs, lows, and adrenaline—we’re pure energy, always shifting direction. I want listeners to dive into Raw Planet with that in mind. It’s an immersive audio-visual experience that invites freedom of expression and movement. There isn’t one track that defines it; rather, each track collectively captures the journey and message.
Get 'Raw Planet' Here
This album includes everything from retro party vibes to deep, introspective tracks. What inspired this eclectic mix, and do you see yourself exploring similar sonic contrasts in future projects?
While creating the album, each track naturally complemented the others, flowing together as I wrote in different places around NYC. My main inspiration came from daily life, I’d pull ideas from my vault of recordings and rework melodies, beats, and leads over concepts I felt had potential. It was like solving a puzzle, and I loved that process. For future projects, I want to keep pushing both the sound diversity and my workflow, always exploring new sounds and approaches.
What made you decide to create your own label and why did you choose to have “Raw Planet” released on your label Errant Recordings?
I decided to create my own label because it allows me to express myself freely. I’m not bound by norms or rules, so I can truly write the music that comes from within.
Your Colombian roots and life in New York seem like they’ve added some vibrant layers to your music. How have Barranquilla’s culture and the pulse of NYC each influenced the sounds and themes on "Raw Planet"? Are there any tracks where you feel those influences are especially powerful?
Barranquilla’s culture has deeply influenced me with its vibrant rhythms, while the pulse of New York and its rich house music scene have also shaped my sound. These influences are especially powerful in the track “Born Again,” which I created with Mireya Ramos, a Latin Grammy winning Afro-Latina artist here in NYC.
You had a listening party for Raw Planet in NYC on Oct. 27th. How was this event different from a standard dance music event? What experience were you hoping for the attendees to have and what was the feedback you received?
Our listening party at Nublu 151 was about introducing my friends and community to this new concept. Unlike a typical dance music event, this was a platform for artists, media, visual creators, and fashion enthusiasts to connect, discuss, brainstorm, and share ideas. It served as an introduction to what Raw Planet aims to provide. I was grateful to see both old and new friends come together. Overall, everyone left feeling content and vibrant, which made the experience even more special.
Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us. Is there anything else you would like to add?
I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has listened to the album so far and to all who have supported the idea and concept. This is only the beginning!