Born Felipe Coronel in a military hospital in Lima, Peru, in 1978, Immortal Technique moved to Harlem with his parents when he was two years old. At age nine he started rapping, though he didn't start to take it more seriously until he was in high school. Despite the fact he was in and out of trouble throughout his teenage years, Tech was accepted at Penn State University, but before he could get through much of college, he was arrested and eventually ended up spending a year in prison. It was there that he began to study the lives and teachings of black and Latino revolutionaries like Che Guevara and Malcolm X, as well as to devote himself to writing songs. Out in 1999, on parole, he moved back to New York, where he spent his days working various jobs and his nights battling other rappers, a forum that allowed him the opportunity to show off his aggressive, vituperative style.
![]() Artist Biography by Marisa Brown
Back then, Immortal Technique was Felipe Coronel and according to Miranda, “He was a school bully. He terrorized kids, he would throw them. Born Felipe Coronel in a military hospital in Lima, Peru, in 1978, Immortal Technique moved to Harlem with his parents when he was two years old. At age nine he started rapping, though he didn't start to take it more seriously until he was in high school.
Concerned that he was being pigeonholed as a one-trick pony, Tech set about writing complete tracks, finding beats to accompany them, and eventually releasing his debut, Revolutionary, Vol. 1, in 2001 (an album that was later re-released by his own company, Viper Records, in 2004 and Babygrande in 2005). The record, plus his indefatigable work ethic, earned him local recognition and a spot as The Source's 'unsigned hype' in November 2002, and the following year he issued his second album, Revolutionary, Vol. 2. Although he promised his third release would see the light of day in 2005, it wasn't until the summer of 2007 that -- besides a few singles and mixtapes -- fans got any new material from Immortal Technique, coming in the form of the full-length The Middle Passage.
Immortal Technique, born Felipe Coronel, is a revolutionary. Originally from Peru, he immigrated to Harlem, NY and eventually ended up in prison. He left with a new focus on music. His aggressive style gained him instant notoriety as a battle rapper, and his first album was a word-of-mouth sensation. Unwilling to change his message for the mainstream, he remained completely independent. His subsequent projects have permanently found their way into the hearts and minds of truth seekers worldwide. Going behind the scenes, The (R)evolution of Immortal Technique is an exploration of one man’s global journey to fight injustice through music.
Immortal Technique was brought to the United States in the early 80’s while a civil war was breaking out in his native Peru. The US supported puppet democracy and Guerilla factions were locked in a bitter struggle which ended like most do in Latin America, with the military and economic aid of the State Dept. through channels like the CIA. Although he had escaped the belligerent poverty and social turmoil of life in the 3rd world, he was now residing in Harlem which had its own share of drama. Growing up on the streets of New York, the young man became enamored with Hip Hop culture, writing graffiti and starting to rhyme at an early age.
Although he frequently cut school and ended up being arrested time and time again for his wild behavior, the kid still managed to finish high school and got accepted to a state university. Unfortunately the survivalist and aggressive attitude that was the norm in New York City caused him to be involved in more violent altercations at school, whether it was with other brothers, false flaggers or the relentlessly racist population of an uncultured Middle America. Compiling multiple assault charges in New York State and in other states eventually caught up to the uncompromisingly hardheaded actions of one Immortal Technique. He faced several charges for Aggravated Assault in the tri-state area.
Realizing his inevitable incarceration, Technique began to prolifically write down his ideas about what he had lived and seen in the struggle back at home in relation to his visits back to his native land. He came to embrace his African roots that stemmed from his grandfather and understood the nature of racism and ignorance in its role in Latino culture, separating oppressed peoples and keeping them divided. He also began to study in depth about the Revolutionary ideas that had caused a history of uprising in the indigenous community of his Native South America. Although pressured to turn states evidence before and during his bid, he refused the DA and lawyers. He was facing a 5-10 stretch, but the hiring of a pittbull attorney helped him compile the cases without turning snitch like his co-defendants. The result was a 1-2 year sentence in the mountains, 6 hours away from the city. There Technique studied, worked out vigorously, began to document his lyrics, and create songs. Besides the creation there was destruction, and the fights were nothing compared to the verbal battles that he engaged in occasionally.
This proved to be a foreshadowing of what was to come… Paroled in 1999, Immortal Technique returned to NYC and began a campaign to claim victory to what he had discovered he had a talent for; battling. One of the rites of passage in establishing oneself in the Hip Hop community is following in the steps of those who made their name in lyrical warfare before you. Immortal Technique quickly became known throughout the underground. His brutally disrespectful style was trademark, and it was not long until he had won countless battles not just on stage and in clubs, but on the streets whenever a random cipher would pop up. From Rocksteady Anniversary, to Braggin Rites, SLAM DVD’s and hookt.com’s infamous battles, he established himself as someone who could captivate a crowd and who people looked forward to seeing. But it was then that Technique realized what every battle champion had come to terms with before him, battles was just that, battling, and not synonymous with success at making music. Turning his eye to production and touching up some of the songs he had written in prison he now focused on trying to get an album together, but major labels wanted a more pop friendly image and were uncomfortable with his hardcore street style that was complemented by his political views. In response to their lack of vision, Immortal Technique left the battle circuit and released his critically acclaimed Revolutionary Vol.1, which at first moved 3000 copies, but to date has moved more than 12,000. This earned him Unsigned Hype in the Source (11/02) and numerous articles in Elemental & Mass Appeal. Established in the underground circuit Tech began another round of dealing with record labels unwilling to see the direction of his brutally honest and cultured rhymes. He decided to continue with what had been so successful, his hand to hand out the trunk hustle. In the post 9.11 climate, as the music industry crumbled, Immortal Technique built on the truth with a hardcore brand of street politics. Being featured in XXL, The Washington Post, and having been titled with the Hip Hop quotable in The Source (10/03) for his sophomore independent release Revolutionary Vol.2 was just the beginning.. On Viper Records, where he is the Executive VP, he sold 29,000 copies of Revolutionary Vol.2 to date and has appeared on soundtracks for new movies including the new Mario Van Peebles film “BAADASSSSS”. Immortal Technique has also worked with Mumia Abu Jamal and AWOL magazine. His single “Industrial Revolution” released in conjunction with Uncle Howie Records hit #1 on CMJ and #50 on the Billboard charts. Recently back from a successful West Coast tour, Immortal Technique is now booking a European tour in the Fall of 2004 and recording his highly anticipated third album.
SHOWS AND EVENTS
Oct 17 2019
Immortal Technique
Toad's Place300 York St. New Haven, CT 06511
Oct 18 2019
Immortal Technique
Paradise Rock Club967 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA 02215
Oct 19 2019
Immortal Technique
Foxtail1601 E. Carson St. South Side Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Oct 20 2019
Immortal Technique
1151 N High St.Columbus, OH 43201
Oct 22 2019
Immortal Technique
The Grog Shop2785 Euclid Heights Blvd. Cleveland Heights, OH 44106
Oct 24 2019
Immortal Technique
1 S. SaginawPontiac, MI 48342
Oct 25 2019
Immortal Technique
3730 N. Clark St.Chicago, IL 60613
Oct 26 2019
Immortal Technique
2844 N. Oakland Ave.Milwaukee, WI 53211
Oct 27 2019
Immortal Technique
913 Cedar Ave.Minneapolis, MN 55404
Oct 29 2019
Immortal Technique
4195 Manchester Ave.St. Louis, MO 63110
Oct 31 2019
Immortal Technique
Red Rocks Amphitheatre18300 West Alameda Parkway Morrison, CO 80465
Nov 01 2019
Immortal Technique
538 Main St.Grand Junction, CO 81501
Nov 03 2019
Immortal Technique
2200 2nd Ave.Seattle, WA 98121
Nov 04 2019
Immortal Technique
1507 SE 39th Ave.Portland, OR 97214
Nov 06 2019
Immortal Technique
1743 San Pablo Ave.Oakland, CA 94612
Nov 07 2019
Immortal Technique
1011 Pacific Ave.Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Nov 08 2019
Immortal Technique
450 S. Main St.Los Angeles, CA 90024
Nov 09 2019
Immortal Technique
200 W. 2nd St.Pomona, CA 91766
Nov 10 2019
Immortal Technique
143 S. Cedros Ave.Solana Beach, CA 92075
Nov 11 2019
Immortal Technique
1308 W. University Dr.Mesa, AZ 85201
Nov 12 2019
Immortal Technique
120 Central Ave. SWAlbuquerque, NM 87102
Nov 14 2019
Immortal Technique
2410 N. Saint Mary’s St.San Antonio, TX 78212
Nov 15 2019
Immortal Technique
2015 E. Riverside Dr., Bldg 4Austin, TX 78741
Nov 16 2019
Immortal Technique
813 St. Emanuel St.Houston, TX
Nov 17 2019
Immortal Technique
10261 Technology Blvd. EDallas, TX 75220
Nov 19 2019
Immortal Technique
225 Decatur St.New Orleans, LA 70130
Nov 21 2019
Immortal Technique
518 Clematis St.West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Nov 22 2019
Immortal Technique
1812 N. 17th St.Tampa, FL 33605
Nov 23 2019
Immortal Technique
3110 Roswell Rd.Atlanta, GA 30305
Nov 24 2019
Immortal Technique
1819 Spring Garden St.Greensboro, NC 27403
Nov 26 2019
Immortal Technique
600 Nevan Rd.Virginia Beach, VA 23415
Nov 27 2019
Immortal Technique
209 4th Ave.Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Nov 29 2019
Immortal Technique
334 South St.Philadelphia, PA 19147
Nov 30 2019
Immortal Technique
1515 BroadwayNew York, NY 10036
May 16 2019
Immortal Technique
Soundwell149 W 200 S Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Jun 16 2019
Immortal Technique
Croton Point Park1A Croton Point Ave. Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
Feb 14 2019
Immortal Technique
Anarchapulco@ Princess Mundo Imperial
Dec 21 2018
Immortal Technique
Cedar Cultural center416 Cedar Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55454
Nov 16 2018
Immortal Technique
The Observatory OC3503 S. Harbor Blvd. Santa Ana, CA 92704
Sep 21 2018
Immortal Technique
Union Transfer1026 Spring Garden St. Philadelphia, PA 19123
Aug 19 2018
Immortal Technique
PumpehusetStudiestræde 52 Copenhagen 1554
Aug 17 2018
Immortal Technique
Royal ArenaRömerareal 2552 Orpund, Switzerland
Aug 20 2018
Immortal Technique
O2 Academy Islington16 Parkfield Street, Islington N1 0PS London, UK
Aug 21 2018
Immortal Technique
O2 Academy Islington16 Parkfield Street, Islington N1 0PS London, UK
Aug 24 2018
Immortal Technique
FestivalparkLetiště 38, 503 41 Hradec Králové, Czechia
Aug 25 2018
Immortal Technique
8 Leeson Street Lower![]() D02 ET97, Ireland
Sep 07 2018
Immortal Technique
940 W Weed StChicago, IL60622
Jul 27 2018
Immortal Technique
The Regent Theater448 S Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90013
Aug 07 2018
Immortal Technique
Neumos925 E Pike St. Seattle, WA 98122
Aug 08 2018
Immortal Technique
Star Theater13 NW 6th Ave Portland, OR 97209
Aug 09 2018
Immortal Technique
The Ashland Armory208 Oak St. Ashland, OR 97520
Aug 10 2018
Immortal Technique
Organic Fest7250 Mitchell Mill Rd. Wilseyville, CA 95257
Aug 11 2018
Immortal Technique
The Catalyst1011 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 ![]() Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2023
Categories |