Immortal Technique (b.1978)

Felipe Coronel, better known as Immortal Technique, is a Hip Hop MC and political activist. He is of Afro-Peruvian descent and was raised in Harlem, New York. Most of his lyrics focus on political and social issues, and are largely a mixture of social commentary on poverty, racism, geopolitics, religion and the harsh resulting realities of crime in the housing projects of New York City's slums.

Although he has been offered a deal with at least one major record label, he has never signed to any. Immortal Technique has voiced a desire to keep control over his production, and has made statements in his music that he is very aware that it is record companies, not the artists themselves, who profit the most from mass production and marketing of music.

In 2001, Immortal Technique released his first album Revolutionary Vol. 1 without the help of a record label or distribution, instead using money he had made from winning various rap battles. Around 2,500 were printed off and he managed to sell 2,400 copies.

He finally released his second album Revolutionary Vol. 2 in 2003 under Viper Records/Nature Sounds distribution on CD and double LP. In 2004, Viper Records and, in 2005, Babygrande Records have re-released Immortal Technique's debut, Revolutionary Vol. 1, to make it available to a wider audience. He is set to release his next album, The Middle Passage.

Immortal Technique - 'The Poverty of Philosphy':

Immortal Technique provides listeners of his music with his views on politics, sociology, and religion. Many of his views align closely with socialism, as can be seen in multiple songs, including "The Poverty of Philosophy" from Revolutionary Vol. 1, a reference to the book of the same name by Karl Marx.

He tackles many modern political and social issues in his songs, addressing events such as the killing of the prominent Black Panthers member Fred Hampton by the FBI, 9/11, the shooting of Amadou Diallo by the NYPD, Palestinian rights in Israel, and the CIA backed killing of revolutionary leader Che Guevara – to name but a few.

The Playahata.com: Interview

He has described himself as a "socialist guerrilla", but he refuses any party affiliation. Immortal Technique's music is inspired by historical and often political figures such as Malcolm X, Che Guevara, César Chávez, Augusto César Sandino, Marcus Garvey, and Túpac Amaru II.

VISIT HIS WEBSITES:
Official Website / MySpace

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YouTube Channel: Here