His tenth studio album, K.O.D., was released October 27, 2009. He has spent his illustrious career making sure he’s been grinding harder than the average rapper, and is the best selling artist out of his hometown. With nine solo albums and two powerhouse collaboration projects under his belt, the Kansas City MC’s flow is sharper and slicker than it’s ever been.
“This is another roller coaster ride,” explains TECH N9NE about the release. “When it came time for Sickology 101, I knew I wanted to do a collabo album based on the study of being sick. It’s a beginner’s course for people who don’t know how to be sick lyrically or how to choose sick beats. It all starts with beats because they tell me exactly what to do.” Epic beats from YoungFyre, Wyshmaster, Seven and Matic Lee set the stage for TECH N9NE to weave his introspective and sometimes roguish lyrics around.
Sickology 101 brims with stellar appearances from lyrical heavyweights. On the opening title track, TECH N9NE slays alongside Chino XL and Crooked I, pulling listeners into the Hip-Hop classroom for a lesson in murdering a beat. It’s a twisted vision forged on undeniable grooves and quixotic wordplay.
The single, “Nothin,’” is an inspiring, honest anthem that features Messy Marv and Big Scoob. Meanwhile, on “Midwest Choppers 2,” TECH N9NE and Krayzie Bone cruise to the depths of darkness. “Krayzie Bone came through and murdered it,” says TECH N9NE. “I modeled the song after movies. When you do a sequel, there has to be a bigger body count and more people have to die. ‘Midwest Choppers 2’ is Autobahn-style. It makes you want to speed.”
TECH N9NE’s inimitable flow and rhyming take center stage on solo tracks, including the haunting, hypnotic “Red Nose.” He doesn’t pull any punches on the vitriolic, YoungFyre-produced “Blown Away,” either. It’s an open letter to several prominent urban artists who refused to play before him at radio festivals despite his massive concert draw.
With hits like “I’m A Playa,” “Caribou Lou” (which boasts 7.2 million MySpace plays), “Riotmaker,” “Like Yeah” and “Everybody Move,” it’s no wonder TECH N9NE counts a total of over 4.5 million YouTube video plays and an average of 40,000 MySpace visitors each day. His success knows no limits. The July 2008 release, Killer, debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart and Number 12 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. He did it all on his own. There was no major label — just TECH N9NE’s own record company, Strange Music. TECH N9NE’s tracks have appeared in films like Gang Related and Alpha Dog as well as various TV shows, and he recently made his motion picture debut in The Life of Lucky Cucumber alongside members of MTV’s “Jackass” crew.
It hasn’t been an easy road, but TECH N9NE soldiers on and he’ll never stop. “They call me devil worshipper because I’m different. I give you music for my core. They’re the people that put me over the million mark. I raise my middle finger to everybody who judges me because my core audience is there for me. They will always love me, but I’m trying to reach others, too. It’s not over. My music is supposed to be for everybody, but some people just don’t get it. This album is the result; swallow it. It’s middle finger music, all-day and all-night.”
TECH N9NE never stops bringing that music directly to his fans, constantly reinforcing his status as one of the hardest-touring rap acts in the business. In 2008, TECH N9NE performed over 200 shows and he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down in 2009. In April, TECH will head out in support of Sickology 101 and spend two months on the road, performing live for his rabid fans.
Sickology 101 is prepping the world for TECH N9NE’s next masterpiece, K.O.D. “I want people to know that I’m getting better and better and I’m a machine. I do these collabo albums to give the fans more. This is a bridge record to K.O.D. It’s the farewell to the TECH N9NE you’ve known lately. It’s getting darker. A lot of people might not be able to go to the place I’m going, but this place is my specialty.”
“I don’t need people to kiss my hand,” assures TECH N9NE. “I’m not trippin’ on status, and I’m not a narcissist when it comes to rap. It’s my heart and soul pouring onto the paper. I write my life and I can’t hold back. This is what I know.”
Origin: Kansas City, Missouri
Year Formed: 1991
Official Site: http://www.therealtechn9ne.com/
Active
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I'm saying
That's the reason why I stopped going to the funerals
'Cause all the young homies were always turned up dead
I left the block at 17, so I didn't see them for a while when I left
That saved me
Because if I was gonna do that
I was gonna do that to the fullest
We ain't the only gang members
We ain't the only ones with the insane tempers (Nah)
So many levels where Bane enters
And hit the people with evil
Leave 'em with pain whimpers, yeah
We ain't the only gang members
The only stealers and killers and family name enders
So watch your back when the action is bracking or cracking
'Cause your cool little faction got flame embers, uh
They kicking and they pushing
Spitting and they mushing (Who?)
A Christian and a Muslim
Pay attention to them bangers, not a rarity
And our dark age is filled with ignorance and barbarity
No clarity, fight against the faith and the infidels
Holy wars having so many people sent to Hell
Religious leaders went to jail, just like us deep in the cell
Spent the bail, get out and show hatred on God is meant to fail
If you choose a side, motherfucker
Better know what opposition, you can die, motherfucker
Although organizations wanna deny other ruckus
From the suckers, they don't care or wonder why brother buck it
Christians calling Muhammad a terrorist, ain't it? (Nope)
The game split a long time ago and they can't quit
Boonk Gang had it figured it out (What's that?)
When he stated that it's a whole lot of motherfuckin' gang shit
Everything is active
Blame it on the rap shit
Blame it on every fucking thing
But the stacks and the taxes
Don't huddle up with no squad
Might come and kill you, on God
Active, everything is active
Everything's a gang, it's a gang and it's ashes to ashes
Don't huddle up with no squad
Might come and kill you, on God
We ain't the only gang members
It's still a fight against the black, white, hang genders
Deep in the south, some are all the way 'til it became winter
Now the boys in blue, they kill the black cocaine vendors, yeah
We ain't the only gang members
White presidents and black leaders with slain member
So watch your back when some wack
Man attacking the black skin
Ain't no calm or relaxing life when strain hinders, uh
Republicans and Democrats in a spat
Since the 1800's, it's been attacks, then it cracked
And still do, different views will kill you
That is fuckin' mildew, they uplift the steel too
Lot of gang shit in Charlottesville
Unite the Right rally bought a car to kill
Ain't no togetherness
White supremacist and black will fight 'til finished
But all their rights diminished without a life replenished (Dead)
Just like my homeboys
All the different groups in life packin' chrome toys
If you feel me, holler back
Now it's gang colors if you wearing a MAGA hat (Word)
'Cause the message of talking good old days
Usin' force and more power, you know, them good old ways
But I know that flag is serious and if a man tore it
That'll be his ass if he kneel and don't stand for it
Everything is active
Blame it on the rap shit
Blame it on every fucking thing
But the stacks and the taxes
Don't huddle up with no squad
Might come and kill you, on God
Active, everything is active
Everything's a gang, it's a gang and it's ashes to ashes
Don't huddle up with no squad
Might come and kill you, on God
You know, my brain like,
I wanna build a spaceship
'Cause man is gonna blow this fucking place up
This spaceship has to be massive
It has to be like a football field
I wanna build a spaceship
Maybe like 180 thousand seater
Maybe we can build something
My brain is thinking like
Okay, how are we gon' fly away from this motherfucker
When it blows up?
Catharsis
The song "Active" by Tech N9ne is a sociopolitical commentary touching on issues such as gang violence, racism, religious intolerance and political divide. The song starts off with the artist essentially dismissing funerals due to the frequency of young lives lost to violence. Tech N9ne then delves deeper in the following lines, discussing gang violence, acknowledging that it's not just specific to his gang or any single group, but a prevalent issue among all communities. The artist highlights the absurdity of gun violence and how the other side's irrational savior complex can lead to stereotyping of cultures and religions. He further discusses the close-mindedness of those holding power and how things tend to get out of control quickly when tensions rise.
Tech N9ne goes on to talk about the history of the country's political and social divide and how they are still present. He mentions how certain powerful groups with varying beliefs can lead to conflict within the society, resulting in unnecessary casualties. The song seems to end on a rather bleak note, with Tech N9ne voicing his dissatisfaction with the state of the world and in a moment of fanciful thinking, entertaining ideas such as building a massive spaceship that could house the entire human race.
Overall, "Active" is a thought-provoking and socially conscious song that doesn't shy away from discussing uncomfortable topics. It offers a grim reflection of society through the eyes of the artist, skillfully exploring the various issues that plague it.
Line by Line Meaning
Going to a funeral almost every other week,
Attending funerals far more frequently than is normal.
That's the reason why I stopped going to the funerals
Stopped attending funerals due to the high frequency of their occurrence.
'Cause all the young homies were always turned up dead
The constant deaths of young people in the community made attending funerals unbearable.
I left the block at 17, so I didn't see them for a while when I left
Left the area at a young age and wasn't present for a period of time which spared him from some of the violence that occurred.
Because if I was gonna do that
If he was going to engage in violent activity, he would be completely committed to it.
We ain't the only gang members
Multiple groups engage in gang activity in the area.
So many levels where Bane enters
There are many dangerous and violent people in the community.
And hit the people with evil
The violent individuals bring harm to others in the community.
Leave 'em with pain whimpers, yeah
The violent individuals hurt and injure others in the community.
The only stealers and killers and family name enders
Gang violence leads to theft, murder, and the end of family names.
So watch your back when the action is bracking or cracking
Be cautious when violence and conflict occur.
'Cause your cool little faction got flame embers, uh
Small groups or factions can still be involved in violent activities and have dangerous members.
Spitting and they mushing (Who?)
Some individuals involved in gang activity are physically aggressive and confrontational.
Pay attention to them bangers, not a rarity
Be aware of those involved in gang activity as it is common in the area.
Religious leaders went to jail, just like us deep in the cell
Religious leaders aren't immune from legal consequences in addition to gang members.
Spent the bail, get out and show hatred on God is meant to fail
Those who hold hateful beliefs can ultimately fail and self-destruct.
Better know what opposition, you can die, motherfucker
Be aware of the risks and realities of engaging in conflict.
Everything is active
Violence and conflict are prevalent in the community.
Blame it on the rap shit
Some attribute the violence and conflict to rap music and culture.
But the stacks and the taxes
It's not just rap music that contributes to issues in the community; money plays a role as well.
Might come and kill you, on God
There is a real risk of violent harm or death in the community.
Everything's a gang, it's a gang and it's ashes to ashes
Gang activity is a pervasive and destructive force in the community.
It's still a fight against the black, white, hang genders
While conflict and violence may not be limited to just gangs, there is still tension and violence between racial groups, as well as against LGBTQ individuals.
Now the boys in blue, they kill the black cocaine vendors, yeah
Police officers have been known to kill Black individuals who engage in drug dealing in the community.
White presidents and black leaders with slain member
Even political leaders have been involved in and affected by violence and death in the community.
Ain't no calm or relaxing life when strain hinders, uh
There is no peace or serenity in the community when conflict and violence are always present.
Different views will kill you
Having opposing views or beliefs can lead to harm or even death.
Unite the Right rally bought a car to kill
The Unite the Right rally was violent and included a deadly car attack.
Ain't no togetherness
There isn't unity or cooperation in the community due to violence and conflict.
But all their rights diminished without a life replenished (Dead)
Rights and freedoms are lost when violence and death occur as a result of conflict and disagreement.
If he kneel and don't stand for it
The American flag and national anthem are taken seriously in some circles, and disrespecting them can result in violence and conflict.
My brain like, I wanna build a spaceship
The artist's mind wanders and contemplates grand ideas as a means of escapism from the harsh realities of violence and conflict.
This spaceship has to be massive
The artist envisions a massive space vessel as a means of escape from the problems on earth.
Maybe we can build something
The artist entertains the idea of solving the world's problems by creating new technology or innovations.
Okay, how are we gon' fly away from this motherfucker
The artist acknowledges the dire state of the world and considers escape as the only viable solution.
When it blows up?
The artist sees the potential for complete destruction of the planet due to violence and conflict.
Writer(s): Frederikus Van Workum, Samuel Watson, Nicholas Luscombe, Hendric Buenck, Aaron Yates
Contributed by Violet D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Charles Jefferson
Im not the hugest Tech fan, but two thing I've always respected about Tech is:
1. How he does what he can to put younger talent on. You always see him collaborating with smaller artist to help boost their career
2. When I hear his music, watch his videos, etc. I never once get the impression that he's doing it for anything other than the love of the craft, and he'll never change his sound for anyone or to fit the trend.
HeadShotzWillHappen
respect for not liking a artist yet being able to see that at least he is "real". on top of being here for a phat beat and the rise of independent labels :)
Theo Kelvin
@Hank Emory It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thank you so much, you saved my ass !
berryindahouse
Damn! This was an amazing series.
N9na is one of my favorite albums from tech (easily top 3). already a classic
Willow Keith
berryindahouse no cap bruh Tech is like fine wine, only gets better with time! He outdid himself on the N9na album
Jerome Johnson
Word up
shadowyclip
Been on repeat for me since it came. far and above anything i've listened to in quite some time.
MrRockforlife1
Haha me too i always listen to this album once a day fucking love alll the tracks! Love the n9na album and each beat is dope as fuck every song is awesome , some days ill shuffle or just play them all in order but yeah each track is banging! Im hoping he does 10 more albums like this!! Fucking love Tech N9ne love all his albums soo many dope tracks!!
Speaks
berryindahouse it’s one of my favorites, but top 3... my top three consists of
-K.O.D
-Absolute power
-anghelic
Daste Wild
I am so proud to be a Technician! Our label is the strongest, together or solo! Yall are incredible and the message gets more and more powerful everyday!
Thank you Tech N9ne and all of Strange Music for keeping the inspiration and the hype real!