It’s music to get angry, or perhaps be angry, to while you drive or commute. Tech is well-read, intelligent, and worth listening to. Sometimes you have to google something he talks about just so you can know more. You want to have a computer nearby while listening to Technique’s 3rd World. Until the jury come in and move for the prosecutionĪnd them brothers act like a born-again Huey Newtonįorgot about the bullshit music they was producin He even takes aim at rappers who jump onto “conscious” songs once every couple of years on Lick Shots: “Only in Cali will we riot, not rally, so live and die.” Talking is easy. He’s urging revolution and striking back at the system. He’s very quotable, but you really can’t quote him without either getting arrested or funny looks. I’m not even getting into Technique’s in your face rhymes. Lick Shots, with Crooked I and Chino XL, is one of those tracks that’s just three dudes going in, Reverse Pimpology is the second coming of Industry Rule 4080 (record company people are shady), and Payback features Diabolic and a much-missed Ras Kass getting back on his political grind. It was too harsh, too real, and too dark.ģrd World is more palatable, though he isn’t afraid to put the boot in. It’s not as harsh as Technique’s Dance with the Devil (don’t click that), which I listened to once and then promised to never, ever listen to again, despite its quality. It definitely isn’t one to play when your girlfriend comes over for the weekend. It isn’t a record you put on to chill with your friends and play video games. And yes, his skill has gotten better, too. His criticisms are more focused and direct. There’s less misogyny and homophobia than there was seven years ago. One thing Technique has over other rebel rap-types is that you can see his growth as an artist and a thinker as you follow his career. It’s still hipster and college student high on new philosphy-friendly, but there’s actual meat to it, too. The 3rd World is a mix of old tracks and new, and is a delightfully coherent taste of rebel rap. Immortal Technique is probably just as extreme, if not more, but he’s actually got some smarts behind his eyes. Two, the video is one of the worst-conceived pieces of trash in years. If you actually listen to Hell Yeah and watch its terrible video (in concept and execution), you’re going to realize a couple things. The problem with dead prez is that they’re kind of stupid.