Lin-Manuel Miranda says his high school bully was rapper Immortal Technique

Culture

Lin-Manuel Miranda, architect of the hit rap-heavy Broadway show Hamilton, got his introduction to some of the greats in political hip-hop very early in life — one of them was apparently his high school tormentor.

In Monday's episode of Marc Maron's WTF podcast, Miranda revealed that Immortal Technique, the leftist political rapper best known for his song "Dance With the Devil," was the bully at his high school.

"He terrorized kids. He'd throw them in the garbage," Miranda told his host. "I got thrown in the garbage by him." It's one of those strange confluences of NYC music history that seems too wild to make up.

The two stumbled onto the subject talking about their early experiences with theater, with Miranda describing it as a "total safe haven." However, Immortal Technique followed him there.

"He got a part the senior year and I was like, 'Oh my God, I'm in a fucking play with the dude who scares the shit out of all my friends!'" Miranda said.

It seems Miranda holds no bitterness for the torment he experienced, and he's proud of where Felipe Andres Coronel, Immortal Technique's real name, ended up in life.

"He's one of the most politically ideological [rappers]. He really made an incredible life for himself as a rapper," Miranda said. "He was a really angry kid, and it's been wonderful to watch him grow up and find a political outlet for that anger." 

Technique would have made a great addition to the stellar line-up of the upcoming Hamilton Mixtape, but perhaps some scars are still a bit too raw to reopen.

You can listen to Miranda discuss his high school experience at the WTF link here, starting around the 39 minute mark. Mic has reached out to Immortal Technique for comment on this formative time in both artists' lives, and his management has informed us he's currently holed up recording his upcoming studio album, The Middle Passage

This story will be updated if we hear anything else.