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   Just when you thought it was safe to stop checking for independent hip-hop, a lone voice from the ghetto cries out, demanding you to listen. That voice is none other than Immortal Technique, who doubles as a member of NYC’s Stronghold camp (alongside C-Rayz Walz, Poison Pen, etc), and perhaps the most popular name bubbling underground at the moment. This millennial super-emcee packs the power to inspire of Zach De La Rocha, the anger of Canibus, the vocab of KRS-ONE, all wrapped up with the almost laid back, calmness found in the voice of Nas, making him one of the most interesting emcees currently (strong)holding a mic.

    Fresh out of prison, Immortal Technique released Revolutionary Vol. One, in late 2001, shortly after the September 11th attacks. While this volume didn’t touch upon the tragedy or its aftermath, this disc helped introduce Technique to the rap world, slowly creating a buzz for this young, hungry, and outspoken emcee. The prison bid gave him plenty of time and subject matter to write, which is evidenced on the vivid “Dance With The Devil”, where Technique weaves a seven minute narrative breaking down the fate of one Billy Jacobs, a disturbing tale which may or may not be true. And while this may be Volume One’s best track, much of the rest of the disc shows off Technique’s skill, yet his producers struggle to keep up with his lyrical prowess (“Dominant Species”), forcing him to borrow beats from Tragedy Khadafi (“Creation & Destruction”) or Cool C (“Top of the Food Chain (Remix)”). Technique’s flow on Volume One is strong like the crew he is from, however is sometimes sounds monotonous or forced when attempting to make big words and entire sentences rhyme (“The Prophecy”). However, some of the LP’s most memorable moments lie the priceless interludes, where Technique openly speaks his mind about what gets on his nerves. His voice and delivery are so on point that you don’t mind listening to him go on about the true difference between a simple vegetarian and an actual revolutionary for two minutes.

     However, it’s this type of confidence that translates to his actual emceeing on Volume Two, easily placing him among the underground elite and beyond, even catching some attention in The Source with a hip-hop quotable for “Industrial Revolution”. On Volume Two, Technique has improved in virtually every area - beats, rhymes, delivery, vocal inflections, content, and overall song structure. This album deals much more with post 9-11 America, attacking the media and the government virtually every chance it gets, making poignant observations and sometimes outlandish accusations sure to spark some heated debates, which is exactly his intent. Conceptually, he delivers one of the best posse cut s in recent memory with “Peruvian Cocaine”, which bookends with samples from Scarface and New Jack City, as each Technique, C-Rayz Walz, Pumpkinhead, Tonedeff, Poison Pen, Diabolic And Lou Cipher play a character somehow involved in the drug game, whether it be the dealer or the president himself. This form of anti-government sentiment is sure to get the secret service all uppity, as he continues on the eerie “4th Branch Of The Government”, which exposes the media as simply a corrupt conglomerate and puppet for the White House, or furthermore on the angry “The Cause Of Death”, as Technique breaks down his dismay with the United States’ current situations involving the war on terror, in a five minute narrative that would make Chuck D proud.

     While the cover sports a gun-wielding Tony Montana-esque Immortal Technique inside the White House, surrounded by the bullet-ridden bodies of Bush, Chaney, Rummy, and even Bin Laden, the album isn’t completely an attack on capitalism. Technique does delve into other subject matter, sometimes taking a more lighthearted approach than you are used to hearing him. Case in point is “Freedom Of Speech”, which packs a fun, “Hard Knock Life”-esque Broadway sample, as Technique breaks down why he will never sign with a major, or again on “Obnoxious”, another fun joint that manages to test the limits of the average non-hip-hop fan’s patience, as Tech spits shock value lyrics just itching to offend.      

      While this behavior might seem to contradict the otherwise righteous revolutionary ideals that he carries, it’s obvious certain things he says are meant to simply grab your attention so that you will listen for the songs’ true significance. Technique’s voice is loud and his message is clear, almost leaving an underlying message that if say, Talib Kweli, couldn’t get your attention with his non-abrasive political rhymes, than Technique definitely would get your attention with his similar agenda by beating you over the head with a microphone, then strangling you with the cord. 

    While one industry big wig was overheard saying he wouldn’t sign him because “he doesn’t know how to have fun”, Technique seems to be happier as an independent contractor anyway. He is an embodiment of what the underground is all about; having the freedom to say what he wants and make the music he desires, no strings attached.

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