Immortal Technique is a rapper of a dying breed. He doesnt rap about the gangster life, or his pimp style of living like most of todays up and coming rap artists. In fact his style is almost the complete opposite of this. He raps about politics, racism, religion, and daily struggle that people go through, as much of the early rap artist did (Public Enemy and Nas for example). He was born in Peru, but moved to America in order to escape a civil war in his homeland. He was arrested on an account of assault in 1996, and while in jail he studied politics and wrote some songs for his first album "Revolutionary Volume 1". He is not currently signed to any major record label, because he feels doing so would restrict his lyrics, and he will not change about what he rhymes just to be a mainstream rapper. He prides himself on speaking the truth, no matter how ruthless it may be. Some people may think he goes too far in some of his lyrics, but he persists that it is the truth and nothing more.
Revolutionary Volume 2 is Immortal Technique's 2nd album, and in this album he deals with many of todays issues, such as the governments involvement in 9/11, and the racism surrounding the Middle East.
1.Revolutionary Intro-The CD starts out with a recording of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a deathrow inmate who many believed to be innocent, who they believe was only arrested for political reasons. Mumia says on the track that this is "truth in the form of hip-hop". The intro gives you a feeling of what the album if going to be like.
(3/5)
2.Point of No Return-In this track Technique raps about the turmoil facing the world today. This track does not focus on religion or politics, but rather both. It tells about how "once you cross the line there is no coming back". He says that hes not going to go back on what he says, and hes always going to say what he believes. Good track overall.
(4.5/5)
3. Peruvian Cocaine-This song is about the drug industry in Peru, and how it is the only way for some people in the counrty to get by. It shows the side of drug dealers, drug users, and workers that are abused in the plantations. This track also features a few other rappers, whose names I do not know. The song ends on a recording of Welsey Snips in "New Jack City". Pretty good track, which also features some lesser known talents.
(3.5/5)
4.Harlem Streets-Harlem Streets is about the daily struggle of people living in the ghettos of America. It shows how drugs are the only way out for most people, and the government is doing nothing to help their own people in turmoil. This is one of the best tracks on here.
(5/5)
5.Obnoxious-This song does not have too much of a political or religious point in it like the others, but he does sneak in some verses. This is mainly about how the world feels about his rawness, and in turn how he feels about the world. This isnt one of the good tracks on here in my opinion.
(2/5)
6. The Message and the Money-This isnt a rap as much as it is him talking over a beat, much like "The Poverty of Philosophy" on Volume 1.He is talking about how rappers are being used by record labels and how the agents just do whatever they can for the most money, regardless of what the rapper wants. You have to listen to the lyrics to this one to understand it, but if you do it has a pretty good message.
(4/5)
7. Industrial Revolution- Technique raps about the rise of Industry and people selling themselves out to get a few bucks. He also raps about how having a record deal or selling millions of records doesnt mean anything unless the album has a meaning to it.
(4/5)
8. Crossing the Boundary-This firts verse of this song is about crossing the boundary of what is accepted in culture, and having your own opinion about things. He talks about how people think questioning religion is wrong, and their ingnorance in thnking so. The second verse is more of Technique calling our other rappers, who think they're "real". The 3rd verse is more of the same, just insulting other people, not just other rappers this time though. It kind of seems that the first verse and the other two have different messages and belong on seprate tracks. Still a good track though.
(3.5/5)
9. Sierra Maestra-There is no actual rapping on this track. Its just instrumentals. Not horrible though. Its a nice intermission, letting you rest before he comes back with more rapping.
(2.5/5)
10. The 4th Branch-This is mainly about how the media is the 4th Branch of the government. The government uses the media to tell you everything and lie to you. It also deals with the ignorance of some religious groups, such as making Jesus out to be white, and calling all Muslims terrorists. Probably my favorits track on the whole CD.
(5/5)
11. Internally Bleeding- Internally Bleeding deals with all the problems facing Immortal Technique inside. It shows how he fights within himslef to find what the meaning of everything is. He doesnt know how to deal with his problems and as he searches for answers, it only opens up more questions.
(4/5)
12. Homeland And Hip Hop- This is another track where it is someone talking over a beat, but this time it is Mumia Abu Jamal. He talks about how homeland security is nothing but a word, and how hip-hop was born from a generation who felt that they were forsaken and betrayed.
(3.5/5)
13. The Cause Of Death-This track deals mainly with the suspicions of America being directly involved with 9/11. He says that if we were in the "terrorist's" place, we would have done the same thing. He gives reasons to his theory, such as how there would be no war with Iraq without 9/11, and how in the end, the war is going to make the big buisnesses more money. This song really makes you think about things.
(5/5)
14. Freedom Of Speech-As it was previously stated, Tech does not sign with labels because he wants to be free to speak his mind. "Freedom of Speech" basically tells how he is free to do whatever he wishes without the restricions of being signed to a label.
(3.5/5)
15. Leaving The Past- Probably my favorite Tech song overall. The soft beat and guitar in the back set a calm setting, which is different from most of his angry tracks. He raps about walking away from your mistakes and not looking back on them, and being able to leave your addictions or problems. He also uses some references to people being ignorant of others beliefs. Great song!
(5/5)
16. Truth's Razors-Very short track where Technique discusses how love is more important than sex.
(3/5)
17. You Never Know-This is a story of Techniques love for a girl who, unknown to him, has HIV. He falls in love with her, but when she finds out he loves her she leaves. Years later he returns to see her gone, and reads a letter left by her detailing all the reasons why she could not get close. This track is real emotional and the ending is unexpected.
(5/5)
18. One (Remix)-The CD finishes off with "One (Remix)" which features fellow rapper Akir. This song sort of involves all the messages displayed throughout the track. Poverty in the streets, war, love, political dominance. I feel this was a good way to end a great CD.
(4.5/5)
Everything considered this is probably a top 5 CD for me. Some of Technique's lyrics may be offensive, and they may be a little to raw for most people, but if you give the CD a chance and listen with an open mind, you can love the CD as much as I do. Although he discusses some touchy issues like religion and the government, he still manages to make a good point, while being as raw as possible. I do feel that some lyrics are a little too heavy and vulgar at times, and he does have a bit of an ego, but other than that this is a great CD.
Reccomended Downloads:
Point of No Return
Harlem Streets
4th Branch
Leaving the Past
Cause of Death
You Never Know
