IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE

immortal-technique

By: Tim "Big T" Mannion

Felipe Andres, better known by his stage name Immortal Technique, released his new mixtape The Martyr last week.

Coming off the 2008 release of his album The 3rd World on Viper Records, Technique is back with 16 tracks available for free download.

It’s clear that Immortal Technique fans have been yearning for more from the Harlem, NY rapper for the past three years since his last release. Technique reported that nearly 20,000 fans downloaded The Martyr within the span of less than an hour of its release, temporarily shutting down MediaFire. While this newest mixtape is completely free, Technique doesn’t skimp on the guest spots, joining forces with notable artists such as Dead Prez, Vinnie Paz, Brother Ali and Chuck D, among others.

The album starts off with an interlude demanding the listener to “burn this for every motherfucker you know”. After the short message, Technique jumps right into the title track, picking up where The 3rd World left off. “The Martyr” showcases Technique coming hard in his usual politically heavy style. Flowing over a seamless beat, Immortal Technique reminds his listeners that “Pawns only move a square in the game that they’re used in / And realize it’s too late, like the shootin’ of Huey Newton / Or Patrice Lumumba and Salvador Allende / Slaughtered by the power hungry branches of their own gente.”

Following the title track is “Angels & Demons”, where Technique is joined by political rap duo Dead Prez. Taking an unlikely sample of “Dream On” from Aerosmith, this song uses a more toned down approach, but is still chock full of political references to war, death and destruction, which seems to be a favorite topic of Techniques. Next up is one of my favorite tracks off The Martyr, “Rich Mans World (1%), where Technique rhymes from the perspective of the wealthiest one percent of America’s population. Immortal Technique – who has been deeply involved in the Occupy Wall Street Movement – takes a comical sample from ABBA’s “Money Money Money” on this track. In typical Technique fashion he makes his listeners think with his cynical and smart rhetoric – “You got grills in your mouth, I ain’t mad at ya / I own every goldmine in South Africa / Thanks, baby, you made me a billion / Plus I own a building for each one of my children’s children, that’s the shit / Snort coke in the whip, Miss USA suckin’ my dick / Fuck the law cause real jail is for suckas / I go to country club prison, you dumb motherfuckers!”

Other standout tracks include “Toast to the Dead”, featuring a beat produced by the late J Dilla. This track reminds me a lot of Technique’s material from Revolutionary Vol. 2, as the lyrics focus on struggle and spirit. “Goonies Never Die” starts off with a sample from the classic film, and what follows is an onslaught of intense and on point lyrics from Technique, Swave Sevah and Diabolic. The track “Natural Beauty” features Mela Mechinko and is Technique’s toast to the real, naturally beautiful women of the world. In the day and age of misogynist rap songs, it’s refreshing to hear a song like this from a dude who can be as raw as Immortal Technique.

On “Civil War”, Chuck D, Brother Ali and Killer Mike join Technique and every single person on the track kills it. Instead of delving into the details, I think you should just give it a listen yourself. “Ultimas Palabras” is similar to another Technique track “The Poverty of Philosophy” where he ditches the beats and flows for nothing but spoken word. This track is Technique’s attempt to raise his listeners’ awareness about the corrupt elite in politics and business. Give it a listen if you’re looking for a solid history lesson. The final track on the album is “Sign of The Times”, featuring Cetan Wanbli, Lockjaw Nakai and Cornel West. Apparently Technique claimed this is his favorite track off the album, and I can see why. The lyrics are delivered in the classic, hardcore Technique style, the beats are solid and the production is stellar. All in all, this track was a great way to end a solid mixtape.

Immortal Technique is currently on 28-date tour in support of The Martyr. Unfortunately his tour won’t be stopping Chicago, but be sure to download and support this new mixtape!