Forum Interview With Immortal Technique [2009]

Today is the first year anniversary of the forum! So what better way to mark this day than an exclusive interview with Immortal Technique!

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First off, thank you Immortal Technique for finding the time to do this interview. The following selected questions have been submitted by members of the ImmortalTechnique.Co.Uk Forum. You don’t have to answer all of them.

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Forum: What is your opinion on what Obama is trying to do as President such as the Public Option, closing Guantanamo Bay and him receiving the Nobel Peace Prize award?

I.T.: That's 3 questions in one, don't cheat.

Public Option shouldn't have been a debate, what are insurance companies really afraid of, having the government that is "so incompetent" according to the right wing here as a competitor. I welcome bad competition. Closing Guantanamo was something that I knew was going to be a stretch, it's not impossible, it's just not going to be as easy as he thought it was going to be. As for the Nobel Peace prize, I answered that in the Russia Today interview.

Forum: Obama has declared H1N1 flu a national emergency. The director of Homeland Security says the vaccines are 100% safe, what do you think about this? And are you going to get the H1N1 flu shot yourself?

I.T.: First of all the dept. of Homeland security is not a beacon of truth.

Secondly I think that there are some things that are very questionable about the vaccine but I don't know about world wide panic and mayhem over something like that. If it's anything like what the most alarmist positions are determining it is, was going to occur then it would have taken effect already. If it is of a disingenuous nature, then it is just a practice run for something else.

Forum: The charts of history show the power of the bankers went up almost exactly the same path as the oil production. When oil is gone how do you believe the powers we have now will try to implement a monopoly or control over society?

I.T.: Any other form of energy, or vital resources will become the beacon of investment and expenditure, water, breathable air...etc.

Forum: I find it trouble figuring out what University course to take, and where it's going to lead me because I don't want it to be a job that you sell your soul for. You took political science at college and I wonder, if you hadn't got into the underground Hip Hop business, what Job would you of taken on? Would this job still be able to involve revolutionary acts like the building of the Orphanage in Afghanistan?

I.T.: I never finished school so I can't really answer that, my opportunity to "fit into" the system would be present now obviously with the amount of knowledge I have amassed about history but I would rather fully devote myself to whatever org. I work with on my own accord and not under the restraints of doing it through another entity. Not that I wouldn't work with a government or an NGO with government ties on a specific project it's just something that undertaking would make me very cautious and wary of the real intentions. But I don't like to prejudge people so it would really depend on the individuals who approached me. I'm not closed minded about helping others. You can have any job and still be willing to sacrifice it when the time comes, if there is something unethical about what you are doing the difficulty becomes when you have a family to support then you have something to blame it on and you find a way of getting around personal responsibility in your moral structure by touting another responsibility.

Forum: What are you trying to reach through your music? Clearly not just getting money, so what do you hope to change or achieve through that kind of music and what do you hope to change in your listener’s mindset?

I.T.: I wanted to show people that being independent is possible and that we do not need to rely on a giant corporate structure to ensure success. It just depends on what we look at success as and what our parameters are for sacrifice. This example and the free thinking and open minded strength of creativity and the love of the culture over the love of money makes an example that is hard to ignore.

Forum: What would you say to those that slowly turn pessimistic about the cause and feel it’s too late for change? Conform to the system? If so, how much?

I.T.: At some point we all conform to things in life, conforming is not a bad thing if it is within the bounds of our values and morals. You have to conform to your age sometimes, obviously if your living your life as a grown man like you did as a child you will find no progress. But it is your mind state and the cause that you serve that guides your direction in life. If you have lost your direction, conforming, to a job, or a style of dress will not provide you will a purpose or with direction. It just masks the greatest failure within yourself to stop believing in yourself.

Forum: What does your family think of your music and opinions?

I.T.: They are supportive. It creates interesting debates.

Forum: What is your favorite book and who is your favorite writer?

I.T.: Too many to name. For both.

Forum: If you ever plunge into writer's-block, how do you bring yourself out of it?

I.T.: Rarely. When I don't write it's because I am busy not because I'm crying over a blank sheet of people...ahaha

Forum: Your T-shirts and other clothing items are desired by alot of fans, have you considered making more designs and selling them?

I.T.: Working on that now.

Forum: When are you going to do a tour with a female artist?

I.T.: I've already been on tour with them at Rock The Bells, but if you mean when am I going to just go on tour with someone like Jean Grae etc. I don't know. Me and Jean actually talked about that back in the day I think it'd be kinda crazy.

Forum: Do you have any plans for more performances in England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland anytime soon?

I.T.: I love being out there actually. The crowds in London and Norwich are some of the most enthusiastic people that I have ever met, sometimes a little overboard but they remind me of what it was like when I was a little kid in the 90's and I went to my first Hip Hop shows.

Forum: Tech, you've made several references in your lyrics and in interviews concerning Northern Ireland, but what is your overall view and opinion on the conflict there and the people's armed struggle for a united socialist Ireland?

I.T.: I have always been interested in the history of the Revolutionary Movements that challenge Authority. The Troubles as they are called present such an example. Of a people that search for liberty from occupation and are the victims of a paramilitary force that is the silent hand of an imperialist government. I say this with all due respect for people on BOTH sides that have been killed in this horrible violence. I know that I have a bias in this case, not only because I am Peruvian and we are closely linked in our Revolutionary ideals with Northern Ireland. But we also share the same history of corruption within the confines of our own Revolution and the misguidance of the youth. The economic reality of fighting has done something to that movement as well as the one in Latin America and we are working hard to get back on track. However the facts remain, that it was the UVF that carried out terroristic attacks against innocent people first. That with the full knowledge and aid from the British government, these actions continued well after the initial strike in 1966. I know that the situation is more complicated than it appears on the outside but I don't think it's possible to make the argument that the British government practiced the deliberate and systematic circumvention of the democratic process (redistricting and moving people there) in order to keep Northern Ireland as a possession.

I also think that is a mistake to characterize it as a movement to create a Socialist state there, before we actually talk about what Socialism is. It puts the stereotypical imagery of some Soviet Bloc and Maoist youth Militia's in peoples minds. I'm sure that there are parts of the Socialist structure that the more Revolutionary elements of Irish society embrace with the understanding that they are what is needed to rebuild the infrastructure before the economy is integrated. Someone could make a counter argument with a background in economics but the mold and plan you are following has no basis in that region. Try again.

When I was on tour in Europe in 2008 I did a show in Belfast, it was the smallest show I did, the little club/pub couldn't hold more than 200 people. But the energy was just a strong or stronger than anywhere else, the children and relatives of the freedom fighters were in the house as well as just normal Hip Hop lovers. But it was a night I will always remember. I actually told the promoters that unless I got that show along with Dublin that I wouldn't go to the UK. I have always wanted to return. I will someday.

Forum: What is the current situation with “The Middle Passage” and “Revolutionary, Volume 3”? Can we expect a single to drop any time soon?

I.T.: I have a few songs I am finishing right now, I just finished a string of collaborations and I'm done doing those right no until the next album is ready to go.

Forum: The fans/supporters and general peeps are so attracted to the story-like tracks, Dance With The Devil, You Never Know, etc, are there any plans for another amazing message-filled story? Any hints?

I.T.: I have one or two...

Forum: We are approaching the end of the year now, you have had another very busy year touring, writing music, etc, overall, how has 2009 been for you?

I.T.: A blessing, it saw the completion of the orphanage in Afghanistan, the European tour was a success.

Forum: Alright, thank you for taking the time out to do this interview! Any final words?

I.T.: Thank you being supporters, thank you for being soldiers, thank you for being teachers, thank you for listening.

awesome shit serously...

hell yeah man, been waitin a long time for this.

Tech gave me the answer i was hopin for about public option too,

dope interview

happy anniversary haha

~ Shellshock (of Goldminded Records)
http://www.youtube.com/FiswaT

He answered my question beautifully.

Good shit man

Nice shit, sounds good. I wish he toured with JeanGreasy.

"Doctors destroy health, Lawyers destroy justice, Governments destroy freedom, the major media destroy information, and religion destroys spirituality" - M.E.

Great interview, i really cant wait for his next album.

That was a great interview, got mad respect for him. And gotta love the outro.

Thank you being supporters, thank you for being soldiers, thank you for being teachers, thank you for listening.

Metaphysics | Spiritual Awakening

I'm sure we will have another forum interview with Tech or other rebel army members some other time!

Very Good Shit !!!

and he answered my question too haha