And now I will introduce to you one of the few rappers I actually listen to, Felipe Andres Coronel, stage name "Immortal Technique". Coronel was born in Lima, Peru but as a child moved to Harlem, New York where he spent most of his life. In Coronel's teenage years he got arrested several times for minor offenses while still living in Harlem. He was having to fight to survive. He graduated from Hunter College High School and enrolled into Pennsylvania State University. Shortly after getting into Pennsylvania State he got arrested for assault-related offenses against some students.
While Coronel was in prison, for a year, he taught himself about religion, philosophy, science, and political issues. Once out of prison he took several semesters of political science classes from Baruch College in New York. Also, while Coronel was in prison he would have freestyle rap battles with other inmates which continued after prison in various New York underground hip hop scenes.
I preface all this information about "Immortal Technique" to help you understand his music better. He is not another Kayne West or Jay Z, talking about the girls, money, drugs, and the ghetto life that they never really lived. Coronel lived in Harlem and had a really rough life and more than anything his incredible music has life; it is raw and real.
I told you about his education background because his music is extremely intelligent. He really goes deep into different philosophies, ideologies, and political issues that are going on in our world. His music is brilliant and it speaks on real issues plaguing our country. These issues may be controversial but he is speaking out. He is trying to make a difference in the world by rapping what he feels the people should know. He gives a voice to the poor, oppressed, and misunderstood. Which is amazing because Coronel himself not only speaks on these issues but he takes action as well.
Coronel does not sell his music through a recording company but does everything himself. He started out just selling albums on the streets of New York. He bought an orphanage in Iraq with the money from his success to help educate forgotten children there. There is so much I could say about "Immortal Technique" but then this post would go forever so I am going to recommend his albums as well as his documentary "The Revolution". I would like to warn all listeners that his music is pretty rough and raw so be ready it! :D
ANGELS AND DEMONS - IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE ( LYRICS ON SCREEN ) .wmvby PARRALTX
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Immortal Technique - The 4th Branch (Lyrics)by Raul Gavidia
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That's something Id love to do, buy an orphanage. He doesn't seem like your typical rapper!
ReplyDeleteno he definitely isn't! He is against mainstream 100% and I don't typically like rap but I highly respect Immortal Technique even if I don't agree with him on every issue though he makes some pretty compelling arguments.
ReplyDeleteI dig it. He reminds me of Lupe Fiasco (although less commercialized), who also deals with political and social issues. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteI like that you decided to blog about someone you weren't really familiar with. The fact that you chose to do this shows that you actually could've learned something new.
ReplyDeleteRap battles with inmates? Coronel sounds like such a neat guy, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that his music reflects deeper thoughts, as opposed to the more mainstream rappers who rap about such superficial things.