Immortal Technique

Born Felipe Coronel 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 take it seriously until he was in high school. He delved into advocacy and activism, studying the lives and teachings of Black and Latino revolutionaries like Che Guevara and Malcolm X, as well as to devote himself to writing songs. After a year in prison, he was released in 1999 and 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 hardline, vituperative style. 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. Releasing multiple records since, he also supports those in need in Harlem through his 501c(3), Rebel Army Runs, and has raised funds to build an orphanage in Afghanistan. Committed to serving the underrepresented, his work spans various areas and he continues to speak out against global atrocities and those behind these acts.