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.
The Getaway
Immortal Technique Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Far from New York City on a tropical getaway
But not in Miami
'Cause these white Cuban anti-Castro's can't stand me
And that's the reason I'll never win a fixed up Latin Grammy
After this racist Latinos'll goddamn me
But my black people love me
And when I go to South America, people be tryna hug me
And even though I blew up I could never neglect them
What kind of a revolutionary action would that be?
I be categorizing practically every other MC
But never that, 'cause I'm clever with facts, sever your raps
Fake players and thugs will forever be whack
I'm still rollin' with my squadron heavily strapped
And even if I get killed I'll inevitably be back
Encyclopedia HispanicA are over digital dat
Don't ever compare me with small-minded criminal cats
I kill kids on tracks, like Dale Earnhardt
Spit in your face and leave your cheekbone with a burn mark
I was born a genius, but I learned to be street smart
My vacation just started, I'm out to the Caribbean
Swimmin' in Dominican women the color of cinnamon
You mothafuckers wish you had the lifestyle I'm livin' in
East Coast to West Coast and everything in between
This is dedicated to everybody chasing their dreams
This ghetto fabulous life really ain't what it seems
But I'ma make it, 'cause I got survival stuck in my genes
East Coast to West Coast and everything in between
This is dedicated to everybody chasing their dreams
This ghetto fabulous life really ain't what it seems
But I'ma make it, 'cause I got survival stuck in my genes
Word up (Word!) Immoral Technique
Representing Harlem
All the way out to my fam, in Inglewood
I'm out, mothafucker! (Laughs the ghetto way, nigga!)
The lyrics to Immortal Technique's "The Getaway" begin with him expressing his disdain for his current job and his desire for a better future away from the hustle and bustle of New York City, preferably on a tropical getaway. However, he notes that he would not want to go to Miami because the white Cuban anti-Castratists dislike him but his black people love him. When he visits South America, he is often greeted with warm hugs because he speaks about the reality that exists for them. Despite his success, he remains connected to his community.
Immortal Technique paints himself as a revolutionary, clever and informed about facts that he uses to dissect other artists' lyrics. He believes that fake players and thugs will always be whack and always rolls with his heavily-armed crew. He goes ahead to say that even if he gets killed, he will come back to prove his point. He is against being compared to small-minded criminal cats and takes pride in challenging everything around him.
The song expresses his determination to achieve his dreams, but he knows that the road to success in the ghetto is not easy. Words like "survival stuck in my genes," represent the guns and violence that come with living in the hood. Immortal Technique is confident that he will not only make it out but also succeed on his own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, I hate my job, so I always look to a better day
I dislike my work, so I am searching for a brighter future.
Far from New York City on a tropical getaway
I desire to escape from New York City and unwind in a tropical paradise.
But not in Miami
Although Miami is a popular destination, it is not my preference.
'Cause these white Cuban anti-Castro's can't stand me
I avoid Miami because some Cuban people dislike me for my views on Fidel Castro.
And that's the reason I'll never win a fixed up Latin Grammy
Due to unfair biases, I am unlikely to receive a Latin Grammy award.
After this racist Latinos'll goddamn me
I anticipate that certain bigoted Latinos will speak ill of me.
But my black people love me
I am grateful for the appreciation shown to me by black people.
And when I go to South America, people be tryna hug me
In South America, people express their affection by attempting to embrace me.
'Cause I talk about reality that effects them
My music discusses situations that impact their daily lives.
And even though I blew up I could never neglect them
Despite my success, I will not forget the people who helped me reach this point.
What kind of a revolutionary action would that be?
Disregarding my roots would be a betrayal of my revolutionary principles.
I be categorizing practically every other MC
I have assessed nearly all other rappers
But never that, 'cause I'm clever with facts, sever your raps
I prefer not to engage in negativity or beef because I am skilled at presenting factual arguments.
Fake players and thugs will forever be whack
Imposters and criminals will never be respectable to me.
I'm still rollin' with my squadron heavily strapped
I travel with a well-armed group of associates.
And even if I get killed I'll inevitably be back
If I were to die, I am certain that my legacy and message will remain.
Encyclopedia HispanicA are over digital dat
I have acquired an extensive knowledge of Hispanic heritage and history, available digitally.
Don't ever compare me with small-minded criminal cats
I should never be equated with narrow-minded criminals.
I kill kids on tracks, like Dale Earnhardt
On my songs, I metaphorically outperform other rappers, like Dale Earnhardt on his racing tracks.
Spit in your face and leave your cheekbone with a burn mark
My rapping style is aggressive and leaves stinging impact.
I was born a genius, but I learned to be street smart
I have innate intelligence, but I also have learned to navigate street life craftily.
My vacation just started, I'm out to the Caribbean
I am beginning my vacation and heading toward the Caribbean.
Swimmin' in Dominican women the color of cinnamon
I will be swimming in the ocean near women from the Dominican Republic whose skin tone is similar to cinnamon.
You mothafuckers wish you had the lifestyle I'm livin' in
Others would like to possess my current lifestyle.
East Coast to West Coast and everything in between
My statement is directed to all across the United States.
This is dedicated to everybody chasing their dreams
I made this song for those pursuing their passions.
This ghetto fabulous life really ain't what it seems
Living in a high-end manner in a low-income area has its drawbacks.
But I'ma make it, 'cause I got survival stuck in my genes
I will persevere because my ability to survive through adversity is natural.
Word up (Word!) Immoral Technique
Greetings, it is Immortal Technique speaking.
Representing Harlem
I am a representative of and common voice for Harlem.
All the way out to my fam, in Inglewood
I express gratitude and acknowledge those from Inglewood.
I'm out, mothafucker! (Laughs the ghetto way, nigga!)
I am departing, goodbye! (Amused in a manner easily recognized by ghetto culture!)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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