Hip-hop culture has an abundance of literature in the field, but much of the literature focuses on mainstream hip-hop culture. This has resulted in small pockets of underground and independent hip-hop culture being overlooked as a medium of expression. It is imperative that underground and independent hip-hop be investigated to see how artists and listeners utilize hip-hop to address pertinent political and social issues. This thesis will look particularly at independent hip-hop artist Immortal Technique. Utilizing a comparative analysis between his lyrics and social theory, this paper will determine if: underground and independent hip-hop can indeed be a viable form of alternative political and socially conscious expression as a means of resistance for the dominated and oppressed. More specifically, this thesis will focus on connecting social theory to Immortal Technique's lyrics in three main ways. First, this research will compare his lyrics to traditional Marxist theories of domination and oppression. Second, lyrics will be compared with neo-Marxist theories focusing on culture such as critical theory and postmodernism to critique, compliment, and further analyze Marxist theory. Finally, the last portion of this paper will re-evaluate Immortal Technique's lyrics to determine if it is a viable form of expression utilizing critical pedagogy and an ethics of peace. Ultimately, this paper asks the question: can hip-hop be the voice against oppression and domination? This thesis would argue yes. More importantly, this voice can no longer be indifferent and can no longer be ignored.
