Immortal Technique facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Immortal Technique
Immortal Technique performing in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Felipe Andres Coronel
Born	(1978-02-19) February 19, 1978 (age 47) Lima, Peru
Origin	Harlem, New York, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop East Coast hip hop underground hip hop political hip hop hardcore hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper activist
Years active	2000–present
Labels	Viper Nature Sounds Fontana Babygrande (last two for distribution/reissue only)
Associated acts	Akir, Diabolic, Lowkey, Chino XL, DJ Green Lantern, La Coka Nostra, Jean Grae, Rockin' Squat, Mos Def, Dead Prez, Ras Kass, KRS-One, Chuck D, Pumpkinhead, Ill Bill, Sabac Red, Pharoahe Monch, Vernon Reid, Marcel Cartier

Felipe Andres Coronel (born February 19, 1978), known as Immortal Technique, is an American rapper and activist. He uses his music to talk about important topics. These topics include politics, fairness, and how governments work. He wants to make a positive difference in the world.

Immortal Technique likes to control his own music. He believes artists should earn more from their work. He has sold many copies of his albums. This shows how popular his independent music is.

Early Life and Challenges

Felipe Coronel was born in Lima, Peru. His family moved to Harlem, New York in 1980. They left Peru because of a civil war there. As a teenager, Felipe faced some challenges. He later said his behavior was "selfish and childish." He went to Hunter College High School in New York. His classmates included famous people like Lin-Manuel Miranda.

After high school, he went to Pennsylvania State University. He was involved in an argument with other students. This led to him being in jail for a year. After his release, he studied political science in college. He also started to focus on his rapping skills. He began selling his music on the streets. He also competed in rap battles. He became known as a strong "Battle MC."

Musical Journey

First Albums: Revolutionary Vol. 1 and Revolutionary Vol. 2

In 2001, Immortal Technique released his first album. It was called Revolutionary Vol. 1. He did this without a record label. He used money he won from rap battles. This album included a popular song, "Dance With The Devil."

In 2002, The Source magazine noticed him. They featured him in their "Unsigned Hype" section. This highlights artists without a record deal. In 2003, he got a "Hip Hop Quotable" from The Source. This was for his song "Industrial Revolution." He is the only unsigned rapper to get this honor. He released his second album, Revolutionary Vol. 2, in 2003. Later, his first album was re-released. This helped more people hear his music.

New Music: The 3rd World and The Martyr

Immortal Technique performing in March 2006

From 2005 to 2007, Immortal Technique worked on new albums. These were The Middle Passage and The 3rd World. The 3rd World came out in 2008. Critics liked the album. They said it had strong messages and good lyrics.

He also appeared on movie and video game soundtracks. He toured a lot during this time. In 2011, he released The Martyr. This was a free album with new and old songs. In 2020, he shared that he was writing a book. He also said he was making a new album. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused some delays.

Working with Other Artists

Immortal Technique (left) at the Roskilde Festival, 2006

In 2005, he released a song called "Bin Laden." It featured Mos Def and DJ Green Lantern. A remix of the song included Chuck D and KRS-One. In 2006, he released "Impeach the President." This song featured Dead Prez and Saigon. In 2009, he worked with French rapper Rockin' Squat. Their song, "Democratie Fasciste (Article 4)," talked about unfairness. It had lyrics in English, French, and Spanish.

He also worked with UK artist Lowkey. Their song, "Voices of the Voiceless," came out in 2009. These collaborations show how his music connects with people worldwide.

Activism and Helping Others

Immortal Technique performing in March 2010

Immortal Technique is also known for his activism. He visits prisons to talk to young people. He works with groups that help immigrants. He also raises money for children's hospitals in other countries. He even created a writing program for high school students.

In 2008, he started "The Green Light Project." He partnered with Omeid International, a human rights group. He used money from his album The 3rd World to help. He traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan. There, he helped build an orphanage called the Amin Institute. This project was built without big company funding.

Other Projects

Films and Documentaries

Immortal Technique has appeared in several films. He was in Ice-T's documentary, Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap.

The (R)evolution of Immortal Technique

A documentary about Immortal Technique came out in 2011. It showed his journey and activism. The film was released on DVD in 2012.

This Revolution

He also appeared in a film called This Revolution. This movie was filmed during the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York. It showed the protests happening around the event.

Immortal Technique now controls Viper Records. He has also made deals to distribute his music.

Music Albums

Studio Albums

Compilation Albums

Singles

Images for kids

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  Immortal Technique performing in 2010

See also

In Spanish: Immortal Technique para niños