There are those rappers that talk a lot of shit, but then don't do much of anything. Then there's the rarer, more coveted breed of rappers that do a lot, and don't feel the need to have to fabricate glamorized details of not-so-glamorous things just to sell some records. All they seem concerned with is spreading what they know to be the truth. These are the people that realize that music is a powerful catalyst for change if utilized in the proper manner, and it is in artists that fit into this description that you can find the most heartfelt, personal, and meaningful rhymes.
If you're drawing a blank on thinking of somebody who fits this mold it's OK. Lyricists like that are hard to come by these days, especially considering what the major labels and radio stations deem sufficient for mass public consumption. But rest assured that rappers with that motivation for truth, justice, and the love of hip hop are still out there doing their thing. A great example of this is found in Harlems own Immortal Technique.
Born in Peru, Immortal Technique found himself en route to a life in the United States due to civil war and political turmoil that was occurring in the country. However, making that move wouldn't prove successful in keeping the young man out of trouble. With a criminal record that was no longer squeaky clean, he would find himself serving time, which in turn became an opportunity to work on his lyrical skills, write, and (as is obviously reflected in his music) read up on his history. The result was a freshly paroled aspiring emcee, facing the trouble of trying to get back on track after being locked up.
With the same aggression that now pours out of his mouth and onto the records that the underground is consistently fiending for, Immortal Technique lyrically battled his way through New York City. Eventually his name was getting recognized, people were getting interested, and the streets were talking. His blunt, often offensive battle raps in conjunction with his intense political content that proves hard for many to digest, were an obvious deterrent to landing a major record deal. However, this is what sets Immortal technique apart from many other rappers of this day and age-- he didn't seem to care. He pushed his debut album, Revolutionary Vol. 1, throughout the streets and directly from his hands to those of the consumers.
Search around the internet for no more than ten minutes and you'll be sure to run into a comment somewhere stating love for tracks from Revolutionary Vol. 1 such as "Dance With the Devil." It was this cult following of sorts that helped propel his sophomore release, Revolutionary Vol. 2, to a high level of underground notoriety. With twisted tales of love, harsh political commentary, and guest spots including Jean Grae, C Rayz Walz, and death row inmate Mumia Abu Jamal, the second full length LP would prove successful in bringing Immortal Techniques name into the memories of an even larger amount of people.
Although his highly anticipated third album, The Middle Passage, has become an urban legend of sorts due to a lengthy delay in its release, it doesn't seem that Immortal Technique has taken any vacation days from his constant grind for progression. Along with associating his name with various charities, partaking in social and political activism in hopes of bettering the world we live in, and working with other emcees such as Akir on critically acclaimed projects, Immortal Technique has found himself traveling the world, and holding down the position of President of Viper Records. He also is the only unsigned artist to be able to claim a coveted quotable in one of the industry's most well known publications-- The Source.
You can catch the man with the "disgusting flow like third world country tap water" holdin' it down this March in various locations throughout the West Coast with some of his partners in hip hop crime including DJ GI Joe, Poison Pen, The Circle, and J Arch. This will surely help build anticipation for the release of "The 3rd World," Immortal Technique's latest mixtape which is a collaboration with DJ Green Lantern.
If you're a political junkie, somebody in dire need of a history lesson, or just simply a fan of pure, unadulterated, uncensored hip hop from an artist who wont serve you major label-imposed watered down lyrics, then these shows and upcoming projects will be something you surely do not want to miss.
