Famed battle rapper and urban activist Immortal Technique speaks on the differences in battle rap today, thanks to the exposure gained from the Internet. He also explains why young artists should open their eyes to the details of the business aspect of battle rapping, so they don’t get taken advantage of when they start out.

Famed rapper and urban activist Immortal Technique shares his thoughts on people’s fascination with the secret society, The Illuminati, but he says people should be more scared of corporations. He also speaks about how certain decisions made in the government are controlling our lives on a deeper level than we actually see. “Remove your clothes!” heh.

Famed rapper and urban activist Immortal Technique opens up about his time in prison and what led to the life changing event. He also speaks about having a bad temper growing up while living in a “different NY,” and how his mind has changed since then.

Immortal Technique continued his in depth interview with Battle Rap journalist Michael Hughes, at the VladTV headquarters, this time speaking on the presence of gang affiliation existing in Battle Rap. Technique addressed the presence of street gangs being involved in Battle Rap, but instead of focusing on the negative associations that most people might address, he talked about the positive influence that Battle Rap has on thwarting gang violence.

There have been many events where members of various gangs have stood face-to-face spitting disrespectful lyrics about the one another’s set that they claim, without any immediate or post-battle violence occurring. Immortal Technique feels as though Battle Rap does a far better job uniting people of different backgrounds and gang associations than the actual United States government does.

For Akir, words aren’t just words—they’re credos, rallying cries; a way of life. His name, for example, is an acronym for “Always Keep It Real” has zero to do with tired rap clichés, or a small-minded view of what rap is and can be. Akir’s trademark raspy flow, his intricate nonstop rhyme patterns and his ear for soulful, dramatic beats (many of them self-produced) aren’t some gangster fantasy and if there is one thing that comes across in Akir’s music—its real life.

2013 finds Akir bringing the spotlight back to music with his new forthcoming LP The Plan; which will be released on 9-24-0213 via Viper Records and again, words aren’t just words and his album title is not just an album title. “The Plan is just that” Akir states, “my map for a musical journey on the way to becoming better.”

The Plan is produced in majority by Akir and his beat-making parternership with Ty Steez (The Sound) along with Omen with features from his “Rebel Army” brothers Immortal Technique, Poison Pen & Swave Sevah and is a major-step forward for the lyricist and producer.

The Plan promises to make 2013 a huge year for Akir as he says “this album has another level of music presence, taking my pre-existing formula to a larger audience. My first-project, Street Edition, was for the streets, but now I am aiming for the world”!

Upcoming Akir Tour Dates (with Immortal Technique & Brother Ali):
9-28-2013 – Rock The Bells DC.
9-29-2013- Philadelphia, PA
10-1-2013 – Boston, MA
10-2-2013- New haven, CT
10-3-2013- Northampton, MA
10-4-2013- South Burlington, VT
10-5-2013- Rock The Bells NYC

Famed rapper and urban activist Immortal Technique explains what we can learn from the George Zimmerman case, explaining why the current cycle that’s playing out in urban areas can’t continue. He also shares his thoughts on Zimmerman trying to tap into his hispanic heritage at the beginning of the case, but not really repping his background.

Famed rapper and urban activist Immortal Technique shares his thoughts on the Trayvon Martin case, explaining that people will quickly forget about the impact of the case due to all the distraction in the media. He also speaks about racial profiling, and how things might be different if Trayvon was the same age as George Zimmerman.

Rapper and famed urban activist Immortal Technique explains how he feels about the marches in support of Trayvon Martin, revealing that he thinks they should continue, so they can make a change.

Famed hip hop artist and urban activist Immortal Technique shares his thoughts on the George Zimmerman trial and verdict, explaining what he meant when he said “Zimmerman is the new OJ.” Immortal Technique also reveals whether he thinks the trial will go to Civil Trial, what he thinks of Zimmerman supporters, and the conversations that should be brought out as a result of the trial.

Famed rapper and urban activist Immortal Technique explains where he stood in the 90′s when people were heavily comparing Biggie vs Tupac in the East Coast vs West Coast beef. Immortal Technique also talks about how battle rapping has evolved over the years, how social media has changed things, and why some battle rappers would rather be songwriters.

Famed rapper and urban activist Immortal Technique shares his thoughts on different races saying the n-word, telling a story about when he had to school his cellmate after he blurted out the controversial word. Immortal Technique also explains why you can’t force someone not to say the n-word, you can only educate them.

Backstage at Paid Dues Hard Knock TV caught up with Immortal Technique. In this interview Immortal talks to Nick Huff Barili about early Hip Hop memories, being locked up in prison, Monsanto lobbying Obama, interactions with fans on twitter and the work he is doing with The Green Light Project. Oh yeah and his new album Middle Passage is coming!

“That’s a disgrace. It should be a human rights abuse,” said Technique when asked about the Act. “It should be banned. They really want to control the food industry in general. And I think what’s disgusting about them is that — Listen, we know Monsanto and their parent companies have given the Obama administration money.” Immortal Tech on the Monsanto Protection Act.

Immortal Technique further spoke on the Obama administration and revealed that the people should not be so easily swayed due to what President Obama symbolizes.

“I understand and I know the type of commitment that certain individuals have to the Obama administration. They think that under a Republican administration they would have never gotten any acknowledgement on gay rights,” Technique explained. “I know that there are people that are 40, 50, 60, and they black and they grew up in a completely different America. They couldn’t even picture a black president… We live in a slightly different America in a lot of places, but I know that people support him because he symbolizes that for them. But I remind people that the only reason he signed that Monsanto shit is not out of the kindness of his heart, but because they lobbied him and gave him money…And that takes away from the credibility of this country and that’s damaging to America.”

Backstage at Paid Dues we caught up with two leaders of the independent movement Immortal Technique and Tech N9ne. In this interview the two Techs talk about what it means to be independent, how technology has helped the movement and how we need to improve Black and Brown relations in LA.

At Paid Dues 2013, Immortal Technique talks about working with DJ Premier, Green Lantern, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad on his highly anticipated album “Middle Passage,” hanging out with Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth, and being the authority on hip-hop.

Immortal Technique joins the Blap On The Radio Crew and speaks on his creative process and how he has remained humble.