Call Me
Tech 9 Lyrics


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To whom it may concern

[Chorus]
Why you ain't call me?
You know I'm the hardest, you know that my art is applauded
Why you ain't call me?
I'm not broken-hearted, but I could've been old when I started
Why you ain't call me?
You know I'm the hardest, you know that my art is applauded
Why you ain't call me?
You sleep on my music and that's a damn shame 'cause I slam my bang

[Verse 1]
I've been inside every hip-hop circle you could imagine
Gangster or Pop, even backpackers know that I'm real good at rappin'
I was strugglin' back in the day when my hood was lackin'
Yo so I'm 'bout to talk about what shoulda, would'a and could'a happened
If music was about inovatin' and penetratin' generations by generatin' musical intergration
It wouldn't be about limitation and demonstration
Imitation within a blatant looks just disentigratin'
It ain't about the music, it's just about the fame
If you ain't popular homie, then you just out the game
If video and radio don't frequently announce your name
They don't know your music even though you blow most out the frame
But a closed mouth don't get fed when it stays shut
Lay cuts with Tecca Nina 'cause he can straight bust
Say what? You ain't heard of me gettin' paid bucks?
Torrent y'all see me rippin' the stage up

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
I've been on tour with Hov, 'bout 27 shows
Why he ain't have me on a record only heaven knows
Maybe he missed us, missin' the big picture
That this is a fixture, aw yeah, he got Twista!
Well Twista's my homie and we both from the Midwest
And I guess Hov ain't lookin' for another speedy rapper kid yet
Me collaboratin' with them was all in me dreams
Matter fact the only one of 'em called me was Beens
He told me he played you The Industry Is Punks
And you loved it so you know Tech is what the industry would want
I started down at the bottom, got with TOG and then it payed
But I wouldv'e loved to been on the third verse of Renegade
They must think I'm a stick of dynamite with no stem
That's probably why I got D12 but no Em!
But I burst flame and I bet that y'all know my first name
'Cause I'm the hardest this side of Earth mane

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
This ain't no hate-mail, this a love letter
I love you niggas' music and I hope is does better
I just wish you woulda hit a brother that love cheddar
But I'm ballin' now and I'm better than I was EVER
Space age flows like Jesse and Primrose
Tin-fold, I used to open-up, now I end shows
Grim road, when you one of the best with slim dough
And you ain't got Dre, Storch, Pharrell and no Timbo
I've met almost half of the DTP
But the couple times I spoke to Luda, don't think he see me
Had never met I-20 but he spoke at BET
Shawnna love me, Field Mob and Chingy decently speak me
So I'ma re-inaurate the game, it's all fame
And you don't get no play if you an emcee with a small name
If I wanna get on TV I guess I gotta call Pain
And Nelly, my great-grandmother's name is Maud Haynes

Maybe I'm trippin', full of delusion
Maybe it come from all the drugs I was usin'
Maybe I am the best thing that you ever saw
Maybe I'm wrong and you don't know me at all
I guess I'm blinded, I got reminded
That none of you just will ever know who the N9ne is
And you never heard of the homie from the Show-me
Punk that! I know you niggas know me





[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

In Tech9's song "Call Me," he addresses his frustration with the industry and why he hasn't been given the recognition he deserves despite having been in the game for a long time. In the chorus, he questions why people aren't calling him and acknowledging his art that he works so hard on. He criticizes the industry for being all about fame and popularity and not focusing on the music itself.


In the first verse, Tech9 mentions how he has been a part of every hip-hop circle and how he is a great rapper, even the backpackers know that. He talks about how even though he is not broken-hearted, he could have been old when he started which is a direct reference to how long he has been rapping. He highlights how innovation should be the primary focus when making music and not just chasing fame. The verse signifies how being popular doesn't mean you are the best in the game; sometimes, the most talented people go unrecognized.


In the second verse, Tech9 discusses how he has performed with Jay-Z but was never given a chance to collaborate on a record with him. He mentions how he has toured with other rappers and is one of the best in the Midwest. His frustration lies in how he has grown as an artist and how he deserves his chance to collaborate with other famous rappers. In the final verse, Tech9's tone changes to assertive; he uses the verse to state that he will be making things right in the industry. Tech9 addresses that being famous is necessary in the music industry but people should be recognized for their talent and not just for popularity. He ends the verse by talking on how he will become the best in the game, whether or not people acknowledge him.


Line by Line Meaning

To whom it may concern
I am addressing this song to anyone who should hear it.


Why you ain't call me?
I am questioning why certain people in the music industry haven't reached out to collaborate with me or give me recognition.


You know I'm the hardest, you know that my art is applauded
I am stating that I am one of the most talented rappers out there and I have been recognized for my skills.


I'm not broken-hearted, but I could've been old when I started
I am not upset, but I am acknowledging that if the recognition had come earlier in my career, I would have had a longer career.


You sleep on my music and that's a damn shame 'cause I slam my bang
I am frustrated that my music is not getting the recognition it deserves, especially considering the quality of my work.


I've been inside every hip-hop circle you could imagine
I have been involved in the hip-hop industry for a long time and have had opportunities to collaborate with many different artists.


Gangster or Pop, even backpackers know that I'm real good at rappin'
I have a versatile style of rap that can fit in with many different genres of music, and I am well-known among backpacker hip-hop circles.


It wouldn't be about limitation and demonstration
I believe that music should be about pushing boundaries and creating something new, rather than copying what has already been done.


Imitation within a blatant looks just disentigratin'
Copying someone else's style without putting your own unique spin on it will ultimately lead to the downfall of your own career.


It ain't about the music, it's just about the fame
In the current state of the music industry, success is often more about popularity and image than actual talent and quality of work.


If you ain't popular homie, then you just out the game
If you aren't already well-known and popular, it is very difficult to break into the music industry and achieve success.


But a closed mouth don't get fed when it stays shut
If you don't speak up and advocate for yourself, you'll never get the opportunities you deserve.


Lay cuts with Tecca Nina 'cause he can straight bust
I collaborate with Tecca Nina because he is also a very talented rapper and our styles mesh well together.


I've been on tour with Hov, 'bout 27 shows
I have gone on tour with Jay-Z and have had the chance to perform at many different venues.


Why he ain't have me on a record only heaven knows
I am unsure why Jay-Z hasn't collaborated with me on a record, despite the fact that we have worked together in the past.


Maybe he missed us, missin' the big picture
I am wondering if Jay-Z overlooked me and my talent, and didn't see how I could fit into his artistic vision.


Well Twista's my homie and we both from the Midwest
I have a good relationship with Twista, who is also a talented rapper from the Midwest.


Me collaboratin' with them was all in me dreams
I have always dreamed of collaborating with certain artists, like Jay-Z, and am frustrated that it has not yet come to fruition.


But I burst flame and I bet that y'all know my first name
Despite the fact that I haven't yet achieved the level of recognition I believe I deserve, I have made an impact on the industry and many people know me by name.


This ain't no hate-mail, this a love letter
I am not trying to attack anyone or create drama, but rather express my love for the industry and my desire to be more involved in it.


I just wish you woulda hit a brother that love cheddar
I wish that someone in the industry would have recognized my talent and given me the opportunities I need to be successful.


And you don't get no play if you an emcee with a small name
In an industry that prioritizes fame and popularity over talent and quality, it is very difficult for someone with a small following like me to get recognized.


Maybe I'm trippin', full of delusion
I am aware that it is possible that I am exaggerating the extent to which I have been overlooked in the industry.


Maybe I am the best thing that you ever saw
Despite feeling overlooked and underappreciated, I am confident in my own abilities and believe that I am one of the best rappers out there.


Maybe I'm wrong and you don't know me at all
It is possible that my belief in my own talent is unfounded and that people in the industry truly don't know who I am.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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