Immortal technique

[XLII]

i dont know if many of you in here are into underground hip hop, but if any of you are im sure you wouldve heard the words of this man...

for any that havent, its a must listen whether your into the genre or not...
the topics he raises are in depth and on point...

Born in a military hospital in South America, Immortal Technique was brought to the United States in the early 80's while a civil war was breaking out in his native Peru. The US supported puppet democracy and Guerilla factions were locked in a bitter struggle which ended like most do in Latin America, with the military and economic aid of the State Dept. through channels like the CIA. Although he had escaped the belligerent poverty and social turmoil of life in the 3rd world, he was now residing in Harlem which had its own share of drama. Growing up on the streets of New York, the young man became enamored with Hip Hop culture, writing graffiti and starting to rhyme at an early age. Although he frequently cut school and ended up being arrested time and time again for his wild behavior, the kid still managed to finish high school and got accepted to a state university. Unfortunately the survivalist and aggressive attitude that was the norm in New York City caused him to be involved in more violent altercations at school, whether it was with other brothers, false flaggers or the relentlessly racist population of an uncultured Middle America.

Compiling multiple assault charges in New York State and in other states eventually caught up to the uncompromisingly hardheaded actions of one Immortal Technique. He faced several charges for Aggravated Assault in the tri-state area. Realizing his inevitable incarceration, Technique began to prolifically write down his ideas about what he had lived and seen in the struggle back at home in relation to his visits back to his native land. He came to embrace his African roots that stemmed from his grandfather and understood the nature of racism and ignorance in its role in Latino culture, separating oppressed peoples and keeping them divided. He also began to study in depth about the Revolutionary ideas that had caused a history of uprising in the indigenous community of his Native South America. Although pressured to turn states evidence before and during his bid, he refused the DA and lawyers. He was facing a 5-10 stretch, but the hiring of a pittbull attorney helped him compile the cases without turning snitch like his co-defendants. The result was a 1-2 year sentence in the mountains, 6 hours away from the city. There Technique studied, worked out vigorously, began to document his lyrics, and create songs. Besides the creation there was destruction, and the fights were nothing compared to the verbal battles that he engaged in occasionally. This proved to be a foreshadowing of what was to come...

Paroled in 1999, Immortal Technique returned to NYC and began a campaign to claim victory to what he had discovered he had a talent for; battling. One of the rites of passage in establishing oneself in the Hip Hop community is following in the steps of those who made their name in lyrical warfare before you. Immortal Technique quickly became known throughout the underground. His brutally disrespectful style was trademark, and it was not long until he had won countless battles not just on stage and in clubs, but on the streets whenever a random cipher would pop up. From Rocksteady Anniversary, to Braggin Rites, SLAM DVD's and hookt.com's infamous battles, he established himself as someone who could captivate a crowd and who people looked forward to seeing. But it was then that Technique realized what every battle champion had come to terms with before him, battles was just that, battling, and not synonymous with success at making music. Turning his eye to production and touching up some of the songs he had written in prison he now focused on trying to get an album together, but major labels wanted a more pop friendly image and were uncomfortable with his hardcore street style that was complemented by his political views. In response to their lack of vision, Immortal Technique left the battle circuit and released his critically acclaimed Revolutionary Vol.1, which at first moved 3000 copies, but to date has moved more than 12,000. This earned him Unsigned Hype in the Source (11/02) and numerous articles in Elemental & Mass Appeal.

[XLII]

just found out theres already heaps of imort tech threads... ahwell this is what happens when ya dont take time to find out...

either way, if theres any hip hop heads up in here, who are active with any of the elements or just into it, hit us up...

peace

XLII

:ph34r:

[bayano]

link the other ones to this one!!!

[BOZG]

Use the search function you lazy bastard.

[Yazman]

Immortal Technique is fucking awesome.

[eQuaLiTy]

I been listening to tech for a while. He is fuckin ill. If u wanna hear a mad political song, get "the 4th branch" or "the cause of death", but I would reccomend buying both albums , Revolutionary Vol.1 and Revolutionary Vol.2. He is dropping "The middle passage" in july/august and then is set to drop "Revolutionary Vol.3" and a DVD in 2006.

pz out.

[BOZG]

Look for "The Silenced Revolution" as well, it's an album of unreleased stuff.

[Tupac-Amaru]

Immortal is THE SHIT!!! Never has a rapper 's words been so significant to me!

[BOZG]

His lyrics are homophobic and misogynistic at times though.

[Tupac-Amaru]

True, but he does that to create an impact...to fucking astound us (or at least that's what it does to me).

But i dont think he's realy misogynist cause in that song "No me Importa" he's rapping about repecting women and shit.

[BOZG]

I don't think constantly referring to people as "faggots" is an example of astounding anyone. His homophobia is far more blatant than his misogynism. In actuality, misogynism is probably too strong a word, but his lyrics at times do carry sexist undertones, references to "*****[es]" and I believe he uses the phrase "our women" at some point. I can't remember what other lyrics I've found distasteful but I'll post more if I remember.

Even artists who do write songs respecting women can have sexist undertones at the same time. Tupac often penned songs to women but still uses the phrase "our women".

[Raisa]

Originally posted by Tupac-[email protected] 30 2005, 07:38 PM
True, but he does that to create an impact...to fucking astound us (or at least that's what it does to me).

But i dont think he's realy misogynist cause in that song "No me Importa" he's rapping about repecting women and shit.
Hes rapping about women respecting themselves.

Why cant we hear more of this on the radio?
Because it doesnt make money...

So instead we are just told to back that ass up and let you see that thong tha thongthong thong. :(

[Tupac-Amaru]

Ehm....yes....quite. :huh: ... :D

But BOZG!!! He's not trying to be perfect, he doesnt want to be politically correct, he's not out there to seem like the "good boy" who doesnt use the word "*****" or "hoe" or "faggot". Immortal basicaly doesnt give a fuck...

He's opposed to today's consumerist and capitalist, and plutocratic society and he's showing it...and he doesnt give a fuck if he offends someone, by mentioning the word faggot. Besides, you shouldn't just look at one specific word in a song and judge him on the basis of that word...you have to look at the big picture.



--He also happens to be the best rapper.

[BOZG]

This isn't a case of being politically correct or not. Standing up for gender and sexuality equality isn't being politically correct, it's being a socialist.

I don't doubt that even if his lyrics do contain things that I disagree with, that they're not incredibly intelligent.

[Cokane]

Then why don't you make an album and we can see if yours are more intelligent.

[bunk]

You could make an album without homophobic lyrics.

[Cokane]

I wasn't talkin about the homophobic lyrics, I was talking about the 'intelligent' ones.

[bunk]

Yes but you were supporting Immortal technique.

[Cokane]

Yeah, but i wasn't defendin the homophobic lyrics

[BOZG]

Originally posted by [email protected] 31 2005, 01:47 PM
Then why don't you make an album and we can see if yours are more intelligent.
How about you re-read what I said where I state that regardless of the content and my disagreeing with some of it, that his lyrics are nonetheless incredibly intelligent. Secondly, please refrain from arguing like a child in future where criticisms are only valid when you can do better yourself.

[Tupac-Amaru]

Originally posted by [email protected] 31 2005, 04:29 PM

How about you re-read what I said where I state that regardless of the content and my disagreeing with some of it, that his lyrics are nonetheless incredibly intelligent. Secondly, please refrain from arguing like a child in future where criticisms are only valid when you can do better yourself.
HAHAHAHA :P :lol:

Nice one Bozg ;)

[Cokane]

Originally posted by [email protected] 31 2005, 04:29 PM
Secondly, please refrain from arguing like a child in future
Oh like calling someone a lazy bastard's really very mature.

[Tupac-Amaru]

Yea, but i come on! BOZG was right thow...that guy could easily have searched...he didnt need someone to do it for him...he was being a lazy bastard...and there's nothing more to it than that!

[BOZG]

Originally posted by [email protected] 31 2005, 05:21 PM
Oh like calling someone a lazy bastard's really very mature.
While you're re-reading my post, maybe you should do some investigation into humour and jokes.

[Cokane]

:mellow: or maybe not. And it must be nice having Tupac Amaru keep your bum nice and clean for ye.

[Tupac-Amaru]

OY!! Watch it mate :angry: !! Or ill smash ya bollucks in!! :lol:

[Cokane]

:mellow:



^_^

[Yazman]

What the hell is sexist in saying "our women" ?

[Redmau5]

Im not too sure what's sexist about it. We could just as easily be called speciest by saying "our animals". Some people are just too uptight about things and need to relax. Im sure if some people had their way our vocabulary would be limited as not to offend people.

[Intifada]

I like Immortal Technique and listen to a lot of his music.

His lyrics, however, do sometimes stink of homophobia and sexism.

[BOZG]

"Our women" brings forth an idea that women are a possession, a commodity that is owned by men. On its own, it is relatively meaningless but it's a part of a whole range of sexist langauge and culture. Trotsky makes some points on it in his The Revolution Betrayed.

[Cokane]

Well it only brings that idea forth if you let it, this is a line from a Tupac song where he says 'Our women'

''I wonder why we take from our women,
Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?
I think it's time to kill for our women
Time to heal our women, be real to our women''

That to me comes across as caring for a section of the female population that has it a lot harder than others. To me it does seem lke he makes them out to be 'possessions' but people who need our help.

[Saint-Just]

Originally posted by [email protected] 1 2005, 03:24 PM
What the hell is sexist in saying "our women" ?
It depends whether he was implying ownership or affection. I think that he was implying ownership of his women.

[Cokane]

OK now I doubt you've even heard the song it came from, if you did you would understand, 'our women' in caring in this song, the whole song is dedicated to women, it's called Keep Ya Head Up, and they are not 'his' women, he doesnt say 'my women'.

[Hampton]

In the Tupac song it clearly shows affection.

[Yazman]

See, this is the kind of crap that I believe just gets out of hand. Political correctness is really fucked up; I'm not going to change what I say because some dumbass out there mis-interpreted my words. People don't necessarily see women as "objects" or "posessions" because they said "our women" or "my women."

If somebody said "Hey yazman my man, what's up?" I wouldn't go off at him because OH NOES HE SAYS "my man", THAT MEANS HE IS IMPLYING OWNERSHIP!

Really, it's just a case of nitpicking. Tupac & Immortal Technique did not/do not view women as "their possessions" just because you interpret their words that way.

[Ell Carino]

Immortal Technique is the illest rapper spitting these days.

He is not homophobic or mysogonist. Who gives a shit if he says "faggot" and "*****" now and again... alot of people use them words casually. And to say that him saying "our women" is stating women are possetions is just going over the top.

If Castro said "lets free OUR people"... would you ***** about that?

[BOZG]

Originally posted by Ell [email protected] 2 2005, 02:43 PM
He is not homophobic or mysogonist. Who gives a shit if he says "faggot" and "*****" now and again... alot of people use them words casually. And to say that him saying "our women" is stating women are possetions is just going over the top.
In that case, I'll start saying the N word all the time. It's in common usage, you know.

[Tupac-Amaru]

Aiiiiit all you fools need to do is purchase your copy of Revolutionary Volume 2...cause on that little paper that comes attached to the CD case there he explains his intensions and his opinions and his explainations for all the songs ( in that album).

So if ya'll buy that album you can read and see whether or not he's sexist and homophobic!!!! Aiiiiiiiiiit?`

Aiiiit peace!

[Cokane]

BOZG sayin the 'N word' is hardly the same, were homosexuals enslaved? No they were not, so of course a non-black person saying that would cause offense to many people.

[Lardlad95]

Originally posted by [email protected] 30 2005, 08:08 PM
I don't think constantly referring to people as "faggots" is an example of astounding anyone. His homophobia is far more blatant than his misogynism. In actuality, misogynism is probably too strong a word, but his lyrics at times do carry sexist undertones, references to "*****[es]" and I believe he uses the phrase "our women" at some point. I can't remember what other lyrics I've found distasteful but I'll post more if I remember.

Even artists who do write songs respecting women can have sexist undertones at the same time. Tupac often penned songs to women but still uses the phrase "our women".
His homophobia is the only thing that I disagree with him on. I like everything else...I don't really see alot of Mysoginy...I may have missed it though.


Of course homophobia is very prevelent in male minorities because for centuries their manhood was denied. Grown men being called a boy certainly doesn't help one's sense of manhood. So anything deemed imasculine has been seen as bad. Not a justification....but an explanation

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

Originally posted by [email protected] 2 2005, 05:49 PM
Of course homophobia is very prevelent in male minorities because for centuries their manhood was denied. Grown men being called a boy certainly doesn't help one's sense of manhood. So anything deemed imasculine has been seen as bad. Not a justification....but an explanation
Agreed.
I don't condone his homophobia, but I wouldn't necessarily say that he's reactionary because after all, he is a victim. Oppressed peoples cannot commit oppression.

[Saint-Just]

Originally posted by [email protected] 2 2005, 12:22 AM
OK now I doubt you've even heard the song it came from, if you did you would understand, 'our women' in caring in this song, the whole song is dedicated to women, it's called Keep Ya Head Up, and they are not 'his' women, he doesnt say 'my women'.
I have both his albums, and in the past I listened to them frequently.

I may well be wrong though. But, given Immortal Technique's views on a number of things I don't think that it is impossible he might hold such views of women. I still think he is a good person, on balance.

[Cokane]

Originally posted by Chairman Mao+Apr 3 2005, 06:44 PM--> (Chairman Mao @ Apr 3 2005, 06:44 PM)
[email protected] 2 2005, 12:22 AM
OK now I doubt you've even heard the song it came from, if you did you would understand, 'our women' in caring in this song, the whole song is dedicated to women, it's called Keep Ya Head Up, and they are not 'his' women, he doesnt say 'my women'.
I have both his albums, and in the past I listened to them frequently.

I may well be wrong though. But, given Immortal Technique's views on a number of things I don't think that it is impossible he might hold such views of women. I still think he is a good person, on balance. [/b]
You are wrong, even though you have his both his albums, guess what? I was talking about Tupac not Immortal Technique. That was a Pac song, not a Tech song.

[BOZG]

BOZG sayin the 'N word' is hardly the same, were homosexuals enslaved? No they were not, so of course a non-black person saying that would cause offense to many people.

Cop the fuck on.

[Cokane]

Thats the most pathetic post I have seen from you, I have come to expect more from ye, tut tut. Are you seriously suggesting saying the N word is like sayin words offensive to gay people? Yes they are both wrong, but the degree of wrongness differs, perhaps it shouldn't, but that's how it is. So cop the fuck on to what? I dread to think.

[BOZG]

Why should using grossly offensive slurs to homosexuals be any different from using grossly offensive slurs to a ethnicity? And yes, I am suggesting that using racist language is the equivolent of using homosexual language.

[RABBIT - THE - CUBAN - MILITANT]

when he says things like "*****" or fagot" he mint not uses the specific meaning like most rappers do .. it s more of a generalized put down towards another , no mater their sex or sexual preferences... not to say that its alright or anything but doesn’t mean their being sexist or homophobic

[BOZG]

But that language is inherently sexist and homophobic. Just because you don't mean it in that usage is not an excuse. If you're not homophobic or sexist, don't use the language. Simple.

[Cokane]

BOZG i see where you are coming from, but homosexuals, as bad as they have been treated, have not went through what African-Americans, or Africans have. When were millions of gay men forced into slavery? Made to sit at the back of the bus? Colonised? My point is, that although both are wrong, for a white man to start saying things like the N word is still a lot more deep and offensive as it has such a background, Just because blacks say it so freely now does not make it alright. Homophobic slurs are bad, but racist ones (in reference to blacks) are worse due to the history behind that word.

[BOZG]

This isn't an argument about who has suffered the most or who has been subjected to the more humiliating treatment. Offensive slurs towards to homosexuals or women are no more acceptable than offensive slurs towards ethnic minorities. Both are insulting and degrading. In reality, the historical degradation and oppression of homosexuals, while probably less instense, has been a much longer tradition than that of Africans and African-Americans.

[eQuaLiTy]

Bottomline is, if you find a very talented, aggressive, hood bred rapper like immortal technique hes gonna be saying slurs and shit. Homosexuals have never been "accepted" in the world of hip hop although not EVERY rapper has used the word or dissed them. I am not homophobic but when he says faggot i just think of it as directed to everyone, not just gays or some shit. Gays are seen as weak and "unnatural" so they are picked on.

Nothing you can do about it, but laugh.

pz.

[T_34]

Thats cause their poofs and need hanged by the nutsack

[Dwarf Kirlston]

mad rapper...

from Dance with the devil -
so when the devil wants to dance with you, you better say never
because the dance with the devil might last you forever

[bunk]

Has anyone else got this cause of death video. It's some new lines and recycled ones from bin laden song with appropiate political pictures.