It is no secret that Typhoon Yolanda destroyed everything in Tacloban, Phillippines. One thing is certain, the devastation touched the heart of rapper/activist, Immortal Technique. The Peruvian-born and Harlem-raised rapper will be joining his fellow grassroots rap-activists Bambu de Pistola (Filipino-American) and Odessa Kane (Filipino-Mexican American) at “Relief, Rebuild & Remember: A Fundraiser Event for Typhoon Haiyan Survivors in the Philippines.” The benefit takes place Feb. 9 at WorldBeat Center in Balboa Park.
Immortal Technique's incarceration forever changed his path from violent criminal statistic to rap-humanitarian truth-seeker. In 1999, he reached parole and left prison with 17 dollars to his name. Three weeks later he dominated the rap battle circuit. Eventually he learned battling don't pay the bills, so Immortal Technique started recording rap songs and made his debut with Revolutionary Volume 1.
On Viper Records, where Immortal Technique is the Executive VP, he has sold 29,000 copies of Revolutionary Vol. 2 to date and has appeared on soundtracks including, Mario Van Peebles' "BAADASSSSS." He has become one of the leading voices in hip-hop activism and global consciousness. Public Enemy's Chuck affectionately introduces him as, "the one and only amazing, Immortal Technique. He symbolizes the voice of truth all around the world in the name of hip-hop."
Immortal Technique is not only paying out-of-pocket to headline the Typhoon Yolanda relief efforts, but he is bringing his Viper Records cohorts, Chino XL and Poison Pen. Also performing is L.A.'s underground hip-hop group, the Visionaries, which features world-famous Filipino-American DJ Rhettmatic.
Local renowned DJs will be also be part of he live performances with the likes of Kid Riz (Dojo Sounds), Charlie Rock (Rock Steady Crew); and female DJ champion Kuttin Kandi. “This is a mass movement and this is what it means to serve the people,” she says. Kuttin Kandi's credits include: the first and only female DJ to make it to the DMC USA Finals and a 1998 Source Magazine DJ Champion.
Whoever told you hip-hop was dead was lying -- it will definitely be alive on this special night to represent community and culture at its finest for a tremendous cause. Make sure to buy your tickets in-advance because Immortal Technique shows in San Diego have traditionally been sold-out.
“Relief, Rebuild & Remember: A Fundraiser Event for Typhoon Haiyan Survivors in the Philippines” @ WorldBeat Cultural Center 2100 Park Blvd, San Diego. Adv Ticket $15, Door $20. All Ages. To purchase tickets go here.
Dita Quiñones is a multimedia journalist born in Tijuana with a passion for Latin alternative and hip-hop music news. Her main goal is to uplift and inform so that the Latino and Hip-Hop community get knitted into the fabric of American history. In addition to SoundDiego, she contributes to Latina, FOX News Latino, Poder, VidaVibrante, and HipHopDx. She is also the founder of the infamous music and politrix blog GN$F! Follow Dita on Twitter or on Facebook.
