Immortal Technique has voiced a desire to keep control over his production, and has stated in his music that record companies, not artists themselves, profit the most from mass production and marketing of music. He claimed in an interview to have sold close to 200,000 units of his three official releases.
Biography
Early life
Coronel is African-Peruvian and was born in 1978 in a military hospital in Lima. His family emigrated in 1980 to Harlem to escape the ongoing internal conflict in Peru. During his teenage years he was arrested multiple times due in part to what he has said was "selfish and childish" behavior. He attended Hunter College High School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Shortly after enrolling in Pennsylvania State University, he was arrested and charged with assault-related offenses due to his involvement in an altercation between fellow students, the charges stemming from this incident led to him being incarcerated for a year. After being paroled, he took political science classes at Baruch College in New York City for two semesters at the behest of his father, who allowed Coronel to live with him on the condition that he go to school. Honing his rapping skills in jail, and unable to find decent wage-paying employment after his release, Coronel began working on the restaurants of New York while bad mouthing MCs whenever the opportunity arose. This, coupled with his victories in numerous freestyle rap competitions of the New York underground hip hop scene such as Rocksteady Anniversary, Braggin Rites and others, led to his reputation as a ferocious Battle MC.
Revolutionary Vol.1 and Vol.2
In 2001 , Immortal Technique released his first album Revolutionary Vol. 1 without the help of a record label or distribution, instead using money earned from his rap battle triumphs. Revolutionary Vol. 1 also contained the underground classic Dance With The Devil. In November 2002, he was listed by The Source in its "Unsigned Hype" column, highlighting artists that are not signed to a record label. The following year, in September 2003, he received the coveted "Hip Hop Quotable" in The Source for a song entitled "Industrial Revolution" from his second album. Immortal Technique is the only rapper in history to have a "Hip Hop Quotable" while being unsigned. He released his second album Revolutionary Vol. 2 in 2003. In 2004, Viper Records and, in 2005, Babygrande Records re-released Immortal Technique's debut, Revolutionary Vol. 1, to make it available to a wider audience. "Point of No Return" from Revolutionary Vol 2 was used as the entrance theme for Rashad Evans during the UFC 88 Main Event between Chuck Liddell and Rashad Evans.
The 3rd World and The Middle Passage
Between 2005 and 2007 Immortal Technique began working on The Middle Passage and The 3rd World, the two albums that would serve a follow up to Revolutionary Vol. 2 and complete the series. He was also featured on several movie soundtracks and video game soundtracks, all the while touring relentlessly and becoming heavily involved in visiting prisons to speak to youth and working with immigrant rights activists and raising tens of thousands of dollars for children’s hospitals overseas. He invested his money not in items that are usually associated with fame but rather in large pieces of farmland in Latin America. He created a writing grant program for high school students as well.
Razor Death Blade Stick
Immortal Technique Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't want to fuck with me
Up in the cyph' i'll make you go the fuck
Home and rethink your life
We're on a mission tonight
Sick with the flow
Underground paper chase, flipping the dough
Immortal Technique sit's on a
That belong to little kids that
Were stolen from home
My open-air concerts are destroying the ozone
Creating tumors on the side of
Your head like cell-phones
You motherfuckers are clones
But I'm the original the prototype for the
Most psychotic individuals
Clinical studies prove that fucking with
Me can be bloody
I used to keep a straight razor
In the back of my cubby
Now i em on me to scarface you and your buddy
I can look into your soul whether
You hate me or love me
That's why i think some of the
Most beautiful people are ugly
Corrupted by money
Drowning in a bottle of bubbly
It's because of me that your
Army retreats in disgrace
Your people love you but not enough
To die in your place
I use Chinese philosophies to murder the case
The sound of one hand clapping
Is my gat in your face
Your foundation got cracks in the
Base like a dope fiend
Choking your broken dreams in a
Spy hunter smoke screen
I got no respect, raw dog stoking your queen
Jerking off while I'm laughing because
My jokes are obscene
None of your team can measure up
To the shit that i'm spitting
?scriptin' to composition
Golden shower your girl because i don't
Got a pot to piss in
Tech, Mac Lethal, El-P stay on the mission
(ha, ha, ha) so shut the fuck up and listen
Elan Sleazbaggano: "You wanna buy
Some Death Sticks?"
Obi Wan Kenobi: "You don’t want
To sell me death sticks"
Elan Sleazbaggano: "I don’t want to
Sell you death sticks"
Obi Wan Kenobi: "You want to go
Home and rethink your life"
Elan Sleazbaggano: "I want to go
Home and rethink my life"
The lyrics to "Razor Blade Deathstick" by Immortal Technique are filled with dark and aggressive imagery, displaying the artist's skill and attitude. The opening lines convey a sense of superiority and warning, suggesting that the singer is not one to be messed with. They boast about their talent in rap battles, claiming to have the ability to make opponents go home and reconsider their entire life.
The song takes a darker turn as Immortal Technique delves into societal issues. He references his underground success and the money he earns, which he juxtaposes with the harsh reality of child abduction and exploitation. The artist criticizes the impact of his own concerts on the environment, comparing the destruction caused by his fame to the detrimental effects of cell phone radiation.
Claiming to be the original and a prototype for psychopathic individuals, Immortal Technique asserts his own uniqueness and power. He uses violent imagery to reinforce this, mentioning storing a straight razor and threatening to scarface his enemies. The artist suggests that he has the ability to see through people's souls and perceives beauty in the ugly. He attributes this corruption to money and excess, drawing attention to the shallow nature of society.
The lyrics also include references to Chinese philosophies and the concept of one hand clapping, which adds depth and complexity to the song's meaning. Immortal Technique uses this philosophical ideology as a weapon against his adversaries, symbolizing the power of his words and rap skills.
Overall, "Razor Blade Deathstick" showcases Immortal Technique's aggressive and thought-provoking style, addressing societal issues while asserting his dominance as a rapper.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah P, yeah
Yeah, I'm addressing someone with the nickname 'P,' acknowledging their presence and agreeing with them
You don't want to fuck with me
You really don't want to mess with me or get into a confrontation with me
Up in the cyph' i'll make you go the fuck
If we engage in a rap battle or cypher, I'll expose your weaknesses and make you leave in defeat
Home and rethink your life
You'll be so overwhelmed by my skills that you'll want to go back home and reconsider your life choices
We're on a mission tonight
Tonight, we have a purpose or goal that we're determined to accomplish
Sick with the flow
My rap flow is extremely impressive and captivating
Underground paper chase, flipping the dough
I'm involved in an underground pursuit of money, constantly hustling and earning income
Immortal Technique sits on a
I, Immortal Technique, hold a position of power or influence
Throne of bones
My throne, symbolic of my authority, is built upon the suffering and exploitation of innocent children
That belong to little kids that
These bones were taken from young children who
Were stolen from home
were forcibly abducted from their homes
My open-air concerts are destroying the ozone
My outdoor performances have such a huge impact that they are causing environmental harm by depleting the ozone layer
Creating tumors on the side of
My music is so potent and revolutionary that it's metaphorically causing tumors to develop on
Your head like cell-phones
people's minds, similar to the harmful effects of excessive cell phone usage
You motherfuckers are clones
You all are unoriginal, copying others and lacking authenticity
But I'm the original, the prototype for the
In contrast, I am the true original, the blueprint upon which
Most psychotic individuals
the most mentally unstable and unpredictable individuals base their existence
Clinical studies prove that fucking with
Scientific research has shown that engaging or challenging
Me can be bloody
me can result in violent or bloody consequences
I used to keep a straight razor
In the past, I used to carry a sharp and dangerous razor
In the back of my cubby
hidden and easily accessible in a small compartment or storage space
Now I am on me to scarface you and your buddy
Now, I'm ready to emulate the infamous character Scarface, ready to violently confront you and your friend
I can look into your soul whether
I possess the ability to see into your inner being, regardless of whether
You hate me or love me
you have strong negative feelings towards me or have positive feelings for me
That's why I think some of the
This is why I believe some of the
Most beautiful people are ugly
most outwardly attractive individuals possess inner flaws, making them unattractive
Corrupted by money
The allure of wealth has morally compromised and tainted individuals
Drowning in a bottle of bubbly
People are attempting to numb their pain and escape their problems by consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
It's because of me that your
My actions and influence are the reason why your
Army retreats in disgrace
military forces withdraw in humiliation and shame
Your people love you but not enough
While your followers may have affection for you, they are not willing to sacrifice their own lives for you
To die in your place
They are not willing to give up their lives and fight in your stead
I use Chinese philosophies to murder the case
I employ the wisdom and tactics of Chinese philosophies to effectively dismantle and disprove arguments against me
The sound of one hand clapping
The concept of 'one hand clapping' in Buddhism, often seen as a paradox, symbolizes the impact of my presence and power in silencing opposition
Is my gat in your face
The metaphorical sound of one hand clapping is represented by the sight of my gun pointed directly at your face
Your foundation got cracks in the
The foundation or structure of your beliefs and principles is flawed, exposing
Base like a dope fiend
weaknesses similar to a drug addict's cravings and destabilized lifestyle
Choking your broken dreams in a
I am suffocating and sabotaging your shattered aspirations within a
Spy hunter smoke screen
smokescreen akin to the tactics employed in a spy thriller, making it difficult to see the truth or escape from my influence
I got no respect, raw dog stoking your queen
I have no regard for you, I disrespectfully engage in sexual activity with your partner, arousing and manipulating her desires
Jerking off while I'm laughing because
Amidst my laughter, I derive pleasure from masturbating, symbolizing the gratification I experience in your defeat and misery
My jokes are obscene
The humor I employ in my jests is morally offensive and outrageous
None of your team can measure up
Not a single member of your group can compare to
To the shit that I'm spitting
the exceptional and impactful words, ideas, and lyrics that I'm delivering
?scriptin' to composition
I am the master of writing and structuring my compositions, effortlessly crafting powerful verses
Golden shower your girl because I don't
As an act of dominance and degradation, I intentionally urinate on your girlfriend, emphasizing my lack of respect or empathy
Got a pot to piss in
I don't possess even the barest essentials or wealth
Tech, Mac Lethal, El-P stay on the mission
Immortal Technique, Mac Lethal, and El-P remain dedicated and committed to their objectives
(ha, ha, ha) so shut the fuck up and listen
(ha, ha, ha) Therefore, cease talking and listen attentively
Elan Sleazbaggano: 'You wanna buy
In a fictional dialogue, Elan Sleazbaggano offers a product, potentially drugs or illegal substances, to someone
Some Death Sticks?'
referring to Death Sticks, a fictional substance with negative consequences
Obi Wan Kenobi: 'You don’t want
Obi Wan Kenobi responds, advising against purchasing Death Sticks
To sell me death sticks'
He highlights his disinterest in buying Death Sticks
Elan Sleazbaggano: 'I don’t want to
Elan Sleazbaggano admits that he doesn't have any desire to sell Death Sticks anymore
sell you death sticks'
He no longer wants to engage in the sale of Death Sticks
Obi Wan Kenobi: 'You want to go
Obi Wan Kenobi persuades Elan to reevaluate his life choices
Home and rethink your life'
He advises Elan Sleazbaggano to return home and reconsider his decisions and direction in life
Elan Sleazbaggano: 'I want to go
Elan Sleazbaggano agrees and expresses his desire to go back to his dwelling
Home and rethink my life'
He acknowledges that revising his life choices and reflecting on his actions is necessary
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Garrison_the_Barbarian
"Golden shower your girl, 'cause I don't got a pot to piss in!" Great line. Immortal Technique is a fucking hip-hop god.
@lloyd187grange
In my opinion, he is THE GREATEST rapper right now, hes just too graphic and political to break into the mainstream, which is good, Immortal Technique> THE BEST
@Blu3b3rryGaming
Tech is too sick... What album or mixtape is this off of?
@Wutwut1n1
"EMI, Sony BMG, Interscope would never sign a rapper with the White House in his scope" damn right
@arstasvensson
so wait, whats next the middle passage or revolutionary volume 3 ?
@EmceeRelentless
Mac Lethal ripped it
@zambia96
i think there is more than one immortal technique
@armsnhashish
You have to know mathematics? Not really. Not at all actually. As for a developed hip hop ear? I dunno. His pronunciation is near perfect and it's easy for even my mother to understand what he spits. He uses a lot of metaphors, that's maybe why you would say that. And I agree that listening to a lot of rap will develop your ability to understand those through the flow. About his shit being too real for radio, well you are spot on about that!
@TrueTrife
agreed, greyprospect...very true.
@casper956illest
I remem. this shit.. #LYricalEra