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.
Revolutionary
Immortal Technique Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You too (locked and loading sir)
Remember break that window when that cop comes in
And blow that motherfuckers head off, (Got him)
Yeah load it up again cause these motherfuckers
Are gonna come back for us. (Were ready)
We gotta be prepared in this day and age, we gotta
Be prepared for whatever comes the fuck at us. (Word up)
You cannot second guess yourself in these days and times
There gonna throw whatever they can at you and you gotta
Be prepared for it, you gotta be prepared for anything
(If liberty or dead, there's freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody!)
[Chorus]
No matter what the fuck life throws at me
I continue to make it threw indefinitely
Immortal technique defeats the odds repetitively
Until there ain't shit ahead of me competitively
Surviving the tough times is imperative to me
Looking at the whole world revolutionary
(They don't want to hear you old uncle tom handkerchief
Hand talking about, uh thee life, no)
Technique will force you into strategical retreat
Because I dominate guerrilla warfare in the streets
There ain't no way to picture me without a victory speech
When I reach higher positions
Without the recognition of pissed on competition
Cause I conquered there ambitions
In a systematic form like a religionist tradition
My mission is to take you, lyrically break you
Lyrically assassinate you
Lyrically incinerate your body and recreate you
To destroy the power that mentally incarcerates you
Cause even though I rip it better I could not forsake you
Your my people with the same oppressors so how could I hate you
The revolution of the mind that bring lee generates you
But when you come original people impersonate you, start to hate you
Cause the conflict is building within the ultimate sin
Is to be ashamed of your skin
My rhymes are like Jamaican over proof I make the room spin
Intoxicated flow I bleed vodka and brandy
Don't make me choke you down like Jon-Benet Ramsey
Something demands of me to rip this fucking shit uncannily
God commanded me to be a technological disease
And psychologically do battle with the best emcee's
Upper case CT and Technique
Cause I'm the capital of revolutionary nation that's infallible
Aztec like the Hannibal
Rip your heart out of your chest and feed it to the cannibal's
Your just a fucking animal but I'm the Neo Sapien
Cause my original civilization was based upon creation
You know theirs no escaping even though your heart is racing
I'll put your best disciple on academic probation
Fuck the litigation, fuck the best rapper nominations
And fuck the president I voted for assassinations
I'm saying fuck the federal bullshit investigations
Fuck the cover up of ghetto radiation extermination
Using my people for experimentation
And if doesn't play hip hop then fuck your radio station
[Chorus]
(Revolutions overturn systems, revolutions destroy systems!)
Yo what the fuck happen to reality spitting rhyme slayers
These days everybody trying to be a thug or a player
Where did all the real motherfuckers go in the game
Bring back the break dancers and graffiti writers with fame
I remember hip hop before the mic cunt clapping
Cause I used to drink forties with more flavor then these rappers
Lyrical ego trips doesn't make fortification
Your not dope enough, spit self glorification
So don't jerk me around cause my name ain't masturbation
Life is hard it'll leave you scarred cause I been threw shit
If you consider rap a job I suggest that you quit
Don't you understand the audience will listen and dance
In the club, crib or car or whatever they get the chance
To be emancipated start debating justice in the cipher
Why do you think project rooms look like the cells in Riker's
I'm explaining the significance or the reason behind it
There preparing your children for the prison environment
When you don't amount to shit prison becomes retirement
But I refuse to be took in to central booking in chains
Cause sleeping on the floor in cages starts to fuck with your brain
The system ain't reformatory, it's only purgatory
Close to hell but I rebel as begin to sparkle out
And tell my people how we fell into the trap that we live in
Because they locked us up in ghetto's and began to rape my women
So I leave the system Unforgiven like East Wood
Cause I was bless with lyrical strength to do whatever I could
You should of seen it coming long ago when you were very young
My word is through the father, holy spirit and his fucking son
Cause when I grab the mic device in front of Christ and start to rip it
I'll make Jesus turn around and say "yo pop this nigga flipped it"
So talk about whatever and be what you want to be
But don't mistake the way I break the faith for simple blasphemy
Cause through the highest frequencies in the NYC
I'm crushing 97.1 percent of MC's
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Immortal Technique's song "Revolutionary" speak to the need for preparation in a time of political turmoil and revolution. The first verse contains the image of loading up weapons, ready to defend oneself against potential oppressors. The chorus speaks to the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, as the only way to truly defeat the odds is to continue moving forward. The second verse touches on the theme of being a revolutionary, a person who fights for change and is willing to stand up against injustice. Immortal Technique describes himself as a dominant force in this guerrilla warfare, with an unwavering commitment to his mission, and the ability to lyrically defeat his competition. He also critiques the commercialization of hip-hop, admonishing those who prioritize their egos and self-glorification over their commitment to social justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo load the fuck up (locked and loading)
Prepare your weapons, get ready for action
You too (locked and loading sir)
Everyone should be prepared for battle
Remember break that window when that cop comes in
In a dangerous situation, create an opportunity for escape
And blow that motherfuckers head off, (Got him)
Take violent action to neutralize the threat
Yeah load it up again cause these motherfuckers
Reload your weapons because the enemy will return
Are gonna come back for us. (Were ready)
They will seek revenge, but we are prepared to defend ourselves
We gotta be prepared in this day and age, we gotta
In the current unpredictable times, we need to be ready
Be prepared for whatever comes the fuck at us. (Word up)
Expect and handle any challenges that come our way
Cause we are living revolutionary. (Definitely)
We are actively resisting oppressive systems
You cannot second guess yourself in these days and times
Don't doubt yourself during difficult moments
There gonna throw whatever they can at you and you gotta
They will use any means to attack you, so be prepared
Be prepared for it, you gotta be prepared for anything
Always stay ready for any situation
If liberty or dead, there's freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody!
Everyone deserves freedom, not just a select few
No matter what the fuck life throws at me
Regardless of the challenges I face in life
I continue to make it threw indefinitely
I persist and survive indefinitely
Immortal technique defeats the odds repetitively
Despite the odds, I consistently overcome
Until there ain't shit ahead of me competitively
I strive to be unrivaled in my achievements
Surviving the tough times is imperative to me
It is crucial for me to survive difficult moments
Looking at the whole world revolutionary
Viewing the entire world through a revolutionary lens
They don't want to hear you old uncle tom handkerchief
They don't want to hear your submissive and acquiescent views
Hand talking about, uh thee life, no
Speaking about a life without oppression and inequality
Technique will force you into strategical retreat
My skills and tactics will make you withdraw from the battle
Because I dominate guerrilla warfare in the streets
I excel in unconventional warfare in urban environments
There ain't no way to picture me without a victory speech
I always come out victorious
When I reach higher positions
As I climb up in society
Without the recognition of pissed on competition
Others may feel bitter when they are overshadowed by my success
Cause I conquered there ambitions
I surpassed their goals and aspirations
In a systematic form like a religionist tradition
In a structured manner, like a religious ritual
My mission is to take you, lyrically break you
My objective is to defeat you with my powerful lyrics
Lyrically assassinate you
Destroy you with my sharp and cutting words
Lyrically incinerate your body and recreate you
Burn away your old self and rebuild you with my words
To destroy the power that mentally incarcerates you
To dismantle the oppressive mental chains that hold you down
Cause even though I rip it better I could not forsake you
Even though I outperform you, I won't abandon you
Your my people with the same oppressors so how could I hate you
We share the same oppressors, so I can't hate you
The revolution of the mind that bring lee generates you
The revolutionary mindset that brings forth your identity
But when you come original people impersonate you, start to hate you
When you are authentic, others may try to imitate and resent you
Cause the conflict is building within the ultimate sin
The internal struggle builds up, leading to the worst sin
Is to be ashamed of your skin
To feel ashamed of your own race or identity
My rhymes are like Jamaican over proof I make the room spin
My rhymes are potent and intoxicating, causing a stir
Intoxicated flow I bleed vodka and brandy
My flow is intoxicating like a mix of vodka and brandy
Don't make me choke you down like Jon-Benet Ramsey
Don't make me overpower and defeat you like Jon-Benet Ramsey's killer
Something demands of me to rip this fucking shit uncannily
An internal force compels me to skillfully tear apart this situation
God commanded me to be a technological disease
God has tasked me to be a force of disruption and change
And psychologically do battle with the best emcee's
Engage in a mental and lyrical battle against the top rappers
Upper case CT and Technique
Upper case CT represents the revolution, combined with Technique
Cause I'm the capital of revolutionary nation that's infallible
I am the leader of a flawless nation of revolutionaries
Aztec like the Hannibal
Strong and fearless like the Aztecs and Hannibal
Rip your heart out of your chest and feed it to the cannibal's
I will metaphorically rip your heart out and destroy you
Your just a fucking animal but I'm the Neo Sapien
You are merely an insignificant animal, while I am the evolved human
Cause my original civilization was based upon creation
My roots are from a civilization founded on creativity
You know theirs no escaping even though your heart is racing
There is no way to escape, despite your fear
I'll put your best disciple on academic probation
I will challenge and mentor your most loyal follower
Fuck the litigation, fuck the best rapper nominations
Disregard legal battles and awards for best rapper
And fuck the president I voted for assassinations
Disregard and oppose the president I voted for, support assassinations
I'm saying fuck the federal bullshit investigations
I reject and oppose investigations by the federal government
Fuck the cover up of ghetto radiation extermination
Reject the concealment of radiation killings in the ghettos
Using my people for experimentation
Exploiting my community for scientific experiments
And if doesn't play hip hop then fuck your radio station
If a radio station doesn't play hip hop, it doesn't deserve support
Yo what the fuck happen to reality spitting rhyme slayers
What happened to honest and genuine lyricists in the rap game?
These days everybody trying to be a thug or a player
Recently, everyone is attempting to portray themselves as tough or player
Where did all the real motherfuckers go in the game
What happened to the authentic individuals in the rap industry?
Bring back the break dancers and graffiti writers with fame
Let's revive the popularity of break dancers and renowned graffiti artists
I remember hip hop before the mic cunt clapping
I recall a time when hip hop was more genuine and less about attention
Cause I used to drink forties with more flavor than these rappers
I reminisce about the days when the taste of malt liquor was better than these rappers
Lyrical ego trips doesn't make fortification
Boasting about one's lyrical skills doesn't provide any real strength
Your not dope enough, spit self glorification
You don't have enough talent, stop promoting yourself excessively
So don't jerk me around cause my name ain't masturbation
Don't deceive or manipulate me, I won't fall for it
Life is hard it'll leave you scarred cause I been threw shit
Life is challenging, it can leave emotional wounds as I have experienced it
If you consider rap a job I suggest that you quit
If you view rap as just a profession, I advise you to quit
Don't you understand the audience will listen and dance
Realize that the audience wants to listen to meaningful lyrics and dance
In the club, crib or car or whatever they get the chance
In various settings, whenever they have the opportunity
To be emancipated start debating justice in the cipher
To experience liberation, engage in discussions about justice in rap circles
Why do you think project rooms look like the cells in Riker's
Notice the similarities between housing projects and prison cells in Rikers Island
I'm explaining the significance or the reason behind it
I am clarifying and revealing the importance and cause of this connection
There preparing your children for the prison environment
They are conditioning your children for the prison system
When you don't amount to shit prison becomes retirement
If you don't achieve anything, prison becomes a permanent home
But I refuse to be took in to central booking in chains
I won't allow myself to be arrested and brought to jail in handcuffs
Cause sleeping on the floor in cages starts to fuck with your brain
Living in confined and uncomfortable conditions affects your mental well-being
The system ain't reformatory, it's only purgatory
The system doesn't rehabilitate, it's just a temporary punishment
Close to hell but I rebel as begin to sparkle out
Although close to hell, I resist and continue to shine outwardly
And tell my people how we fell into the trap that we live in
Inform my community about the circumstances that have ensnared us
Because they locked us up in ghetto's and began to rape my women
They imprisoned us in poverty-stricken neighborhoods and committed sexual assault against our women
So I leave the system Unforgiven like East Wood
I refuse to forgive the system and remain resentful like Clint Eastwood's character
Cause I was bless with lyrical strength to do whatever I could
I was bestowed with the ability to use my lyrics for any purpose
You should of seen it coming long ago when you were very young
You should have anticipated these problems when you were much younger
My word is through the father, holy spirit and his fucking son
I speak with authority from a religious perspective
Cause when I grab the mic device in front of Christ and start to rip it
When I take the microphone in the presence of Christ and deliver my performance
I'll make Jesus turn around and say 'yo pop this nigga flipped it'
I'll impress Jesus to the point where he acknowledges my skills
So talk about whatever and be what you want to be
Speak about any topic and be who you aspire to be
But don't mistake the way I break the faith for simple blasphemy
However, don't confuse my challenge to the system with mere blasphemy
Cause through the highest frequencies in the NYC
Through the powerful sounds of NYC's music scene
I'm crushing 97.1 percent of MC's
I am overwhelming and defeating the majority of MCs
Revolutions overturn systems, revolutions destroy systems!
Revolutions dismantle and overthrow oppressive systems
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HANSEL CREECH, JOHN MILLER (AKA COOTIE STARK), ROBERT L JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind