Immortal Technique 3rd World CD

Lyricist: F. Coronel.
Arranger: F. Coronel.
Immortal Technique, the most radical revolutionary rap lyricist to hit wax, combines with Green Lantern and a gang of like-minded MCs to produce THE 3RD WORLD, a furious mixtape which is perhaps Immortal Technique's best work to date. The title track is a compelling summary of all the Harlem rapper has proclaimed in his past verses, as he reworks Jay-Z's "Where I'm From" into a scathing diagnosis of the state of the world in the 21st century. Tech also breaks down the power structures behind NYC gentrification on "Harlem Renaissance," deconstructs accepted understandings of "pimp" on "Reverse Pimpology," and examines corporate privatization on "Open Your Eyes." Violent, angry, and unabashedly challenging, THE 3RD WORLD is everything hardcore hip-hop should be.
Fans of the Peruvian-born rapper have waited five long years for the third installment in Immortal Technique's iconic Revolutionary series, and by the sound of mixtape-cum-LP The 3rd World, the wait may yet go on. Though marketed as the New York MC's third solo full-length, The 3rd World is more or less a straight collaboration with longtime DJ Green Lantern, who handles most of the production and mixing on the album. Lyrically and vocally, it's more fiery and intense than his previous work -- no mean feat as his fans will attest -- directing ire at his favorite enemies: politicians, capitalism, and big business. Beginning with the post-apocalyptic opener "Death March," Technique draws parallels between the developing world and the poverty-ridden underclass in America, pointing out the irony in U.S. foreign policy effectively forcing families like his to migrate to America: "Invasion, a ramp of monetary inflation/That brought us all to the footsteps of this nation." He cleverly paraphrases Bill Clinton on the title track, noting, "they might even have a black president/But he's useless/Because he doesn't control the economy, stupid!" Yet, at 69 minutes in length, Technique's shtick wears increasingly thin as the album progresses and the frenetic pace with which he delivers his rhymes becomes tiresome, negating much of the emotional weight behind his deeply felt rhymes. By no means a bad record, fans will expect a more well-rounded affair when the third chapter in the Revolutionary story finally drops. ~ Dave DonnellyXXL (Magazine) (p.113) - "Immortal Technique offers an unapologetic look into America's corrupt political landscape at every turn....Pure, unadulterated rebel music."
URB (Magazine) (p.85) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Featuring additional top notch production from Buckwild, Scram Jones and others, THE 3RD WORLD is a scathing indictment of society and the values so many naively hold true."