I photographed Immortal Technique at Los Globos in LA. He’s been doing shows all over SoCal, and I didn’t want to miss out. I’ve been listening to his music since I was about 13. Like a lot of people, the first song I heard was “Dance with the Devil.” It’s the kind of song that sticks with you because it’s intense, emotional, and different from anything else out there.

What I’ve always respected about Immortal Technique is that he’s not just making music, he’s pushing people to be better, to think, to stay aware. His lyrics cover everything from religion, philosophy, and politics to government cover-ups and social issues. He’s all about helping people see what’s really going on in the world.

He’s from Harlem and he’s an activist, which I respect. He’s taught me the importance of standing up for what you believe in, and that words, music, and art have the power to reach people. A lot of things he’s talked about for years, that used to get brushed off as conspiracy theories, have turned out to be true. Like how he called out government surveillance and hidden agendas before it was widely known.

I respect his knowledge and how much he’s learned. No one’s born with information, you figure it out along the way. He’s done that, and he’s not afraid to talk about the hard topics. And on top of that, he’s a great rapper. 

So, I’m grateful for finally getting to photograph his show after listening to him for years. I’m thankful to Out Da House Productions for making these shows happen and giving me the chance to cover it.

There’s a difference between just listening to someone’s music and seeing them live, and even more so when you’re behind the camera, capturing those moments. It reminded me why I do this, to document real moments that connect with people.