Whilst not entirely neglecting rap’s traditionally favourite topics – pussy, weed and guns – Immortal Technique also perceptively commentates on issues ranging from class struggle to media deception to conspiracy theories, often spitting venom upon the government and appealing to a paradigm shift amongst the social consciousness towards intelligence, information and inquisitiveness.
The sold out Espy crowd was diverse and a reminder of the unifying power and the wide appeal of Tech’s messages. The idea of unification is, perhaps subconsciously, emphasised in his set. His onstage hypemen and rappers never once leave the stage. There is no left-side of crowd vs. right-side call and response often found in hip hop shows – the entire venue passionately shout back together. During Natural Beauty, Tech dedicates the song “to the ladies” but moments later adds, “but this is also kind of for the fellas”. Tech was raised in the harsh environment of Harlem – historically laden with segregation, neglect and class discrimination. Instead of surrendering to it, he fights against it. He performs, subtlety and perhaps unaware, just as his words demand.
As if his lyrics weren’t political enough, a number of songs featured powerful spoken word intros and outros that imparted an inspiring political or social message. At one point he didn’t even bother with beats and screamed Eyes In The Sky acapella. It was clear this wasn’t just a hip hop show; this was a hip hop sermon. Following Caught In A Hustle, Tech preached, “Let’s not divide ourselves over petty bullshit. Let’s work towards a new future that we control. If you see something wrong with this country, don’t sit there and complain about it….get the fuck out there and change it, because this is your country motherfucker, and you are the future of Australia…” These were the kind of moments that appealed to the crowd emotionally and were effective because they weren’t delivered in a token “Omg yay! Peace love and unity!” way that artists often throw into their sets to pretend to care.
Whilst his messages are intense, he partakes in hilarious light-hearted banter and twice played a song that he and his crew “composed” only two hours before the show – Men At Work’s Down Under. Obnoxious was a particularly enjoyable song and Tech’s tenacious delivery, such as on fan favourites The Point Of No Return and Peruvian Cocaine, invited the crowd to reciprocate, subsequently tearing The Espy a new backdoor.
Whilst we’ve been blessed with hip hop’s eras of G-funk, gangsta rap, West Coast and East Coast, and the so-called “golden era” of hip hop itself in the late ‘80s to early ‘90s, perhaps there is a new era of hip hop emerging – the intellect era – and one day we’ll reflect on Immortal Technique and declare that this man changed hip hop for the better.
BY NICK TARAS
LOVED: The bogan in front of me alternating between the finger and peace sign depending on the lyric.
HATED: A bit of an awkward stage.
DRANK: Stephen Forde Moonshine.
