Last night I was lucky enough to see Immortal Technique for the second time this year. He came to Seattle with underground artists Mike Crenshaw, Hasan Salaam, and Da Circle. There were about 200 kids lined up waiting to either pick up tickets or buy tickets. I had mine sent to my house so I was able to skip the line and head right through the doors. Now let me tell you, there is nothing like standing front row at an Immortal Technique show but I noticed so many more things going on then just music.
As we were waiting for the show to start, I noticed the cipher starting in the middle of the crowd. It started out as a few black males just rapping and having a good time, but as it progressed it turned in to something different. It turned in to one of the only places in this world where I have seen racial and gender equality in its truest form. Slowly other people started joining, people of all races and religions could be found in the cipher, simply spitting lyrics for the love of the culture. That’s when it hit me: Hip hop may be one of the only places where everyone is equal, where religion and race doesn’t matter anymore. This is something that Immortal Technique would later talk about in between songs.
As Technique took the stage the crowd went insane. You see, Technique is some what of an underground legend, he is not just a hip hop act, in fact he is not an “act” at all, he is the leader of a movement. His music is filled with messages that the people can really relate to, he connects with his fans like nothing I have ever seen. At times you can find yourself completely awestruct at what he says, somewhat of a revelation of the mind. He leaves no topic untouched and he does so with a passion that has never been seen before in hip hop. His show got me thinking as to why I despise mainstream media and hip hop so much.
During the show Technique said “Just because you from the hood doesn’t make you hard, if you from the hood the only thing that means is that your parents were poor.” To me, this statement basically sums up the status of mainstream hip hop right now. The majority of mainstream artists are pushing this ideal that being from the hood makes you a thug, or that flying a red or blue rag means you’re gang banging, bullshit. Artists talk about staying true to the hood, or staying true to their colors, but the reality is that it is all just a gimmick to get your money.
Do you think Lil Wayne is raising his kids in the projects? Do you think The Game is standing on the corner in Compton gang banging? Hell no. These guys know that and yet they are encouraging the type of ignorance that Technique has been trying to dispel for years. Lil Wayne is not selling you music, he is selling you shrink wrapped crack-cocaine. He knows exactly what the kids want to hear and that’s exactly what he delivers. Lil Wayne can “soowoop” all he wants to on songs but he didn’t start flying a red rag until last year. I recently read that one of the major side effects of drinking “sizzurp” is water retention, thus causing the user to gain weight. Lil Wayne has constantly pushed the image of his use of syrup, yet the dude probably weights about 160 pounds, that means that there is no way he is using the amount of drugs he claims to be. He has mastered the use of rhetoric, he is promoting the use of drugs, yet he is smart enough to not use them himself!
I refuse to support mainstream hip hop, aside from a very few select acts and you shouldn't either. You didn’t support President Bush’s lies did you? So why in the hell do you support Lil Wayne’s lies? If you enjoy being ignorant then please continue to listen to mainstream hip hop, but if you’re tired of being lied to then look into Immortal Technique, look into Mike Crenshaw, look into Hasan Salaam. Get informed about what is going on in your government and help spread the message about what artists like Technique are doing. Exercise your purchasing power and refuse to buy mainstream hip hop! We can make a difference but it is going to take a group effort. Free Mumia! Viva La Revolucion! Long live Hip Hop and Immortal Technique!
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