Invincible (rapper)

Invincible
Born Champaign, Illinois, US
Origin Detroit, Michigan. US
Genres Hip hop
Labels EMERGENCE Media
Associated acts

Ill Weaver, also known by the stage name Invincible, is a rapper born in Champaign, Illinois.

At the age of 1, Invincible moved to Israel, returning to the United States at the age of 7 - first living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, then moving to Detroit, Michigan.[1] Invincible joined the Anomalies crew in 1997[2] and has collaborated with Finale, Suheir Hammad, and Waajeed of the Platinum Pied Pipers.[3]

Early life and career

Invincible learned English by listening to hip-hop albums; Invincible has stated that they would write down the rhymes and use the dictionary to decipher the words. After two years, Invincible started making songs in English and stopped speaking Hebrew by age ten.[2] At age of 15, Invincible started performing at open mic nights and getting into Detroit's battle scene in its late-1990’s heyday. Invincible's passion for activism was sparked when members of the Ku Klux Klan gathered and spoke at Ann Arbor's City Hall, which was down the street from their high school. Invincible was disgusted with what they heard, but felt they couldn't do anything about it.[1]

Invincible's music reflects a deeply held belief in social justice, but does so through narrative, powerful imagery, and a commitment to finding the perfect rhyme. Invincible 's time is split between youth organizing with Detroit Summer's Live Arts Media Project,[4] the US-Palestine Youth Solidarity Network,[5] and touring.

In 2008, Invincible released their debut album, ShapeShifters, on Emergence, a record label they co-founded.

In 2010, Invincible performed at the Can A Sista Rock a Mic? festival in Washington, D.C..[6] That same year, Invincible received attention after the music video for "Ropes" was banned on mtvU, MTV's college-targeted channel, after it was deemed "too problematic" because of its suicidal nature.[7] The ban was later lifted.[8]

Invincible has been compared to rapper Eminem.[2] and have been positively reviewed by Washington Post,[6] Spin, being described as "a compelling and fiercely political artist"[9]

Ilana Weaver identifies as gay and gender-nonconforming and is Jewish.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Invincible Interview". Rap Genius.
  2. 1 2 3 Swan, Rachel (2008-07-16). "Invincible in Two Worlds". eastbayexpress.com. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  3. ↑ "Platinum Pied Pipers - Triple P". hiphopdx.com. 2005-08-17. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  4. ↑ Lynden, Jacki (2008-12-08). "Reclaiming Detroit Means Reinventing A City". wbur.org. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  5. ↑ Nagaraja, Tej (2008-07-18). "Outervisions: A Review of Invincible's "ShapeShifters"". indypendent.org. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  6. 1 2 Merry, Stephanie (2010-06-01). "Nightlife Agenda: Capital Pride and Can A Sista Rock A Mic festivals kick off". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  7. 1 2 Clark, Anna (2010-05-04). "MTV bans female rapper's "suicidal" video". salon.com. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  8. ↑ Harling, Danielle (2010-09-20). "MTVU Lifts Ban On Invincible's "Ropes" Video". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  9. ↑ "Invincible - Shapeshifters". Spin. August 2008. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
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