A congregation waits anxiously for the voice of Immortal Technique. It seems the growing reputation of America’s Felipe Andres Coronel has not diminished his underground hip hop status – it’s just that more and more people are intrigued by his music.
The rapper and urban activist is famous for his raw lyrical skills and opinionated songs about the government and power struggles in society. Immortal Technique tells truths about political conspiracies and current affairs, questioning and exposing the system. He tells stories of criminal society from the eyes of the criminal and discusses the facts of universal issues that affect us all.
Technique is accompanied by MCs Poison Pen and Swave Sevah. DJ Static busts out classic hip hop backing tracks throughout the show. Without hesitation we are immersed in the latest material. The set opens with title track from last year’s album ‘The Martyr’, followed by ‘Angels & Demons’ and ‘Toast To The Dead’. Technique talks to the crowd, grabbing phones and filming himself close up.
The fans appreciate Technique’s humble acceptance of fame; keeping the vibe personal and interactive is a fundamental part of the show. During ‘Golpe De Estado’ from Technique’s 2008 album, ‘The 3rd World’, we glimpse the message behind the words without fully understanding them, but we are united.
He performs songs from each of his LPs, including the crowd-pleasing ‘Peruvian Cocaine’ and ‘Obnoxious’ from the second album ‘Revolutionary Vol 2’. In the later part of the set, to the crowd’s delight, Technique tells the explicit tale of a man who gang rapes an old woman, on one occasion realises the victim is his own mother and jumps off the building. ‘Dance With The Devil’ is one of tonight’s memorable moments that, along with a massive chant for ‘Free Palestine’, stand out as highlights.
Immortal Technique is a ferocious off-the-cuff lyricist. His work is controversial and thought provoking, but it’s the live show that reveals his true skills. His days of freestyle rap battles, time in prison and life in crime are visible and reflected upon during the show.
Despite this chequered past, he’s a pretty good role model, encouraging young people to question the faults in society. Immortal Technique is not a fake persona that Senior Coronel presents on stage: the guy contributed the proceeds of his last album to the building of an orphanage in Afghanistan. This is a passionate artist who acts according to his beliefs and genuinely cares about the issues he sings about. Immortal Technique is the real deal.
Concorde2, Sunday 21st October 2012
Words by John Mclean
