Genres: Rap/Hip HopImmortal Technique was born Filipe Andres Coronel in the capital city of Peru – Lima. In 1980 he immigrated to New York City along with his family. But he had a troubled teenage life as he was often getting in trouble with law. Adjusting in the tough streets of Harlem was not easy.
Immortal Technique – Political Rap Revolutionary
“Being in prison made me feel powerless, like a slave. Especially when they threw me in the hole. I fought a few times, and I read a lot and worked out a lot, but being in prison definitely hurts your pride as a man. Living in a cage and being a slave does that to people whether you know it or not, being aware of that is the first step to overcoming it” – Immortal Technique
The Early Years
Immortal Technique was born Filipe Andres Coronel in the capital city of Peru – Lima. In 1980 he immigrated to New York City along with his family. But he had a troubled teenage life as he was often getting in trouble with law. Adjusting in the tough streets of Harlem was not easy. He was even arrested for petty crimes. He enrolled into Pennsylvania State University and was immediately in trouble as he was arrested and jailed for 1 year. While in jail he started writing his rhymes. Frustrated about being in jail, racism and political view points would be the central theme of his rhymes.
The Ferocious MC
After being released on parole he continued his studies and started also rapping on the streets. His reputation as a MC grew when he won many freestyle rap battles in NYC. He made his mark on the underground scene in NYC rap scene and recorded an entire album called “Revolutionary Vol.1” in 2001. The album featured songs about his incarceration and about being in prison. The album contained a song “Dance with the Devil”, which would become an underground music. His released his second album called “Revolutionary Vol.2” in 2003. Finally signing to a record label in 2005 Babygrande Records re-released the two previous albums.
Breaking into the Social Consciousness
His reputation as ferocious MC and rapper by now had gained major recognition outside of NYC. He recorded a song called “Bin Laden Song” in 2005. His political views and complete disinterest in making commercial music was hailed as the new avatar of the rap rebel movement.
In 2008 he released the album titled “3rd World Album” which would peak at No99 on the US Album charts. He received fantastic reviews from most of the US press for this album the recurring theme of politics, poverty, religion and racism is basis of his songwriting.
Immortal Technique, traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan to build an orphanage, he did it with a minimum of media presence. A true underground rap leader inspired by everyone from Che Guevara and Malcolm X to Tupac Shakur and even former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya!
Did You Know: Immortal Technique was in prison for a year on assault charges, he took political science classes when he was on parole
Did You Know: During the 2004 Republican National Convention he appeared in a documentary while protesting about the convention; in 2006 he even wrote a song called Impeach the President” as a protest about the policies of the President George Bush
Did You Know: Immortal Techniques first album was sold on the streets of New York by the artist himself as he did not have any record label backing.