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/
Blown Away
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or hear me on the radio
But you industry brats
Better check billboard and Pollstar
Before y'all get to crying
About who get seniority at these shows
Especially when compared to me
Y'all ain't shit on stage
[Chorus]
I hit the stage
Grab the mic and blow 'em all away (I blow 'em all away)
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
The gig is over, the gig is over (bitty bye-bye)
The gig is over, the gig is over (when a play)
The kid is older and getting colder (many fly by)
But his will hold ya, so listen closer to (a-a)-r-o-n
They dissing and twisting my name
Because Aaron is scaring these glitz spitting pricks in the game
Hit with this gift, everybody get a whiff of this script and it's pain
Gotta talk about the people with a attitude
Hiss me and slipped in my lane
I've been wrecking crowds for a long second now
Got 'em guessing how tech is blessed
And yes, the best in-town rep
On the real, I keep it trill
And when I spit, I ain't spilling about my million
It's the feeling that you get with this underground headliner
Mainstream ignored a bro
And they be petty, so jealousy is sure to show
But they rich and got more to blow
And everything's affordable
But they gotta go before me
Because their stage show is horrible
[Chorus]
They may be platinum
But they know I blow 'em all away (i blow 'em all away)
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
Why you do me like that girl?
You know I love your mama
I just wanted to have a bite with her, or something
Didn't go get up on that show to fight with her, or nothing
It was Keyshia Cole, Eric Benã, Gorilla Zoe, Tech N9ne and T.I.
But Keyshia was acting bia-bia
Why she acting like a (what?), like a (what?)
She ain't know I grab the mic and light it (up), light it (up)
She say, "she don't know me"
But I'm the number one independent in the country
Man, she the only one acting funky
And the people at the summer jam, they want me
She say, "she ain't goin on before somebody that's local"
And she went postal and loco
Saying, "her not closing, is a no-go"
Down talked me real low though
About how she got more doe and just did a tv promo
No show better than the mo. bro with the s & m logo
Damn baby, much success is sitting in your favor
Slam the n9na tech before considering the data
Fans waited, so we went, so she'd get it for later
But frankie said, "excuse my daughter, she's a bit of a hater"
Damn!
[Chorus]
They may be platinum
But they know I blow 'em all away (i blow 'em all away)
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
Hey, hey, check it
I understand senor already
But in this case, on this show, I'm a top priority
In Lawrence, your minority and I'm the majority
Check it, I was young and broke
But I'd fetch it, if it was freshest
Shelf the store for the Eric B. and Rakim record
Promoters called us and said,
"We got this show and want you to close us"
Ghostface and brother Ali rocking with a band in 'sota
We couldn't wait to see Rakim rock
But he never ever showed up
He swole up cause he didn't wanna go up before us
Man, what's wrong with these people?
Think that the world gotta kiss their asses
Five hundred capacity but you wanna get two hundred passes
Thought it was about gouda
Forty water told me,
"N9na, get ya cabbage, stay savage and ravage the average"
Y'all better hope radio and video
Keep me from slithering, into they circle
I'll change it, that's why they shivering
Rakim the god? he just miss the king's delivering
'Cause they know they'll fall
And I'll blow them all to smithereens
[Chorus]
They may be platinum
But they know I blow 'em all away (i blow 'em all away)
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
Real, real spill, yeah
Baby girl,
I know I ain't the only one that know you could be bitchy
You know what I'm sizzling?
Ol' boy,
I know I ain't the only one that know you could be bitchy
Do your research before you down somebody else
Get off your high horse
Keyshia Cole, get off your high horse
Rakim, get off your high horse
Industry, get off your high horse
Yeah
In Tech N9ne's song "Blown Away," the rapper expresses his frustration with the industry and his fellow artists who underestimate his talent and success. He starts by saying that even though he is not often seen or heard on TV and radio, he has a considerable following that has landed him on top of Billboard and Pollstar charts. His message is clear: "y'all ain't shit on stage" when compared to him. He then goes on to brag about his unique raw talent, which the mainstream music industry has ignored because he is an independent artist. Tech N9ne asserts his place in the industry, reminding everyone that even though he does not have a platinum record, he knows he could "blow them all away" on any stage.
The song's chorus reinforces his assertion that he is a stellar performer, and nobody can match his skills on stage. The second verse finds Tech N9ne venting his frustration with Keyshia Cole's unprofessional behavior while performing at the Summer Jam event. He narrates how Cole treated him poorly and disrespected him for being a local artis. She also dissed him unconscionably during an interview, criticizing his stage show and income. While Cole alleged to not know who Tech N9ne is, he humorously adds, he remains the number one independent artist in the country. Tech N9ne is expressing his frustration with the industry and how it functions - making everything about fame and money.
Line by Line Meaning
I know y'all don't see me on tv
I understand that you don't see me on television
Or hear me on the radio
Or hear my music on the radio
But you industry brats
But you people in the music industry
Better check billboard and Pollstar
Should check the Billboard and Pollstar charts
Before y'all get to crying
Before you start complaining
About who get seniority at these shows
About who has more experience at these concerts
Especially when compared to me
Especially when comparing to me
Y'all ain't shit on stage
You are not impressive on stage
I hit the stage
When I perform on stage
Grab the mic and blow 'em all away (I blow 'em all away)
Take the microphone and impress the audience with my performance
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
(superstars), but they are aware that I outshine them all
The gig is over, the gig is over (bitty bye-bye)
The show is finished, the show is finished (goodbye)
The gig is over, the gig is over (when a play)
The show is finished, the show is finished (when they play)
The kid is older and getting colder (many fly by)
I am getting older and more distant (many pass by)
But his will hold ya, so listen closer to (a-a)-r-o-n
But his determination will hold you, so listen attentively to (a-a)-r-o-n
They dissing and twisting my name
They are disrespecting and distorting my reputation
Because Aaron is scaring these glitz spitting pricks in the game
Because Aaron is intimidating these flashy, arrogant people in the music industry
Hit with this gift, everybody get a whiff of this script and it's pain
Impacted by my talent, everyone experiences the intensity of my lyrics and its emotional impact
Gotta talk about the people with a attitude
I need to address the individuals with a negative attitude
Hiss me and slipped in my lane
Hiss at me and tried to take my place
I've been wrecking crowds for a long second now
I have been impressing and captivating audiences for a long time now
Got 'em guessing how tech is blessed
They are wondering how I am so talented
And yes, the best in-town rep
And yes, I have the best reputation in town
On the real, I keep it trill
Honestly, I keep it real
And when I spit, I ain't spilling about my million
And when I rap, I'm not bragging about my wealth
It's the feeling that you get with this underground headliner
It's the emotion that you experience with this underground artist who headlines shows
Mainstream ignored a bro
The mainstream music industry overlooked me
And they be petty, so jealousy is sure to show
And they act petty, so their jealousy is evident
But they rich and got more to blow
But they are wealthy and have more money to spend
And everything's affordable
And everything is within their budget
But they gotta go before me
But they have to perform before me
Because their stage show is horrible
Because their performance on stage is terrible
They may be platinum
They may have achieved platinum record sales
But they know I blow 'em all away (i blow 'em all away)
But they are aware that I outshine them all
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
(superstars), but they are aware that I outshine them all
Why you do me like that girl?
Why do you treat me like that, girl?
You know I love your mama
You know I love your mother
I just wanted to have a bite with her, or something
I just wanted to have a meal with her, or something
Didn't go get up on that show to fight with her, or nothing
I didn't go on that show to argue or fight with her, or anything
It was Keyshia Cole, Eric Benã, Gorilla Zoe, Tech N9ne and T.I.
The lineup included Keyshia Cole, Eric Benã, Gorilla Zoe, Tech N9ne, and T.I.
But Keyshia was acting bia-bia
But Keyshia was acting biased
Why she acting like a (what?), like a (what?)
Why is she acting like a (what?), like a (what?)
She ain't know I grab the mic and light it (up), light it (up)
She didn't know I take the microphone and energize the crowd
She say, "she don't know me"
She said she doesn't know me
But I'm the number one independent in the country
But I am the top independent artist in the country
Man, she the only one acting funky
Man, she is the only one behaving strangely
And the people at the summer jam, they want me
And the people at the summer jam want to see me
She say, "she ain't goin on before somebody that's local"
She said she won't go on stage before someone who is local
And she went postal and loco
And she went crazy and insane
Saying, "her not closing, is a no-go"
Saying that she won't close the show is not acceptable
Down talked me real low though
She spoke negatively about me in a condescending manner
About how she got more doe and just did a tv promo
About how she has more money and just did a television promotion
No show better than the mo. bro with the s & m logo
No show is better than the mo. bro with the s & m logo
Damn baby, much success is sitting in your favor
Damn baby, you have a lot of success on your side
Slam the n9na tech before considering the data
Criticize the n9na tech before considering the facts
Fans waited, so we went, so she'd get it for later
Fans waited, so we performed, so she would understand it later
But Frankie said, "excuse my daughter, she's a bit of a hater"
But Frankie said, "excuse my daughter, she has a tendency to hate"
They may be platinum
They may have achieved platinum record sales
But they know I blow 'em all away (i blow 'em all away)
But they are aware that I outshine them all
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
(superstars), but they are aware that I outshine them all
Hey, hey, check it
Hey, hey, listen to this
I understand senor already
I already understand, sir
But in this case, on this show, I'm a top priority
But in this situation, on this show, I am the most important
In Lawrence, your minority and I'm the majority
In Lawrence, you are the minority and I am the majority
Check it, I was young and broke
Check it, I was young and financially struggling
But I'd fetch it, if it was freshest
But I would obtain it, if it was the freshest
Shelf the store for the Eric B. and Rakim record
Cleared the store's shelf for the Eric B. and Rakim record
Promoters called us and said,
Promoters called us and said,
"We got this show and want you to close us"
"We have this show and want you to be the closing act"
Ghostface and brother Ali rocking with a band in 'sota
Ghostface and brother Ali performing with a band in Minnesota
We couldn't wait to see Rakim rock
We were excited to see Rakim perform
But he never ever showed up
But he never showed up
He swole up cause he didn't wanna go up before us
He became angry because he didn't want to perform before us
Man, what's wrong with these people?
Man, what is wrong with these people?
Think that the world gotta kiss their asses
Think that the world has to cater to them
Five hundred capacity but you wanna get two hundred passes
The venue has a capacity of five hundred, but you want to get two hundred free passes
Thought it was about gouda
Thought it was about money
Forty water told me,
E-40 told me,
"N9na, get ya cabbage, stay savage and ravage the average"
"N9na, get your money, stay fierce and outperform the average artists"
Y'all better hope radio and video
You all better hope that radio and video
Keep me from slithering, into they circle
Prevent me from entering their circle
I'll change it, that's why they shivering
I'll change the game, that's why they are scared
Rakim the god? he just miss the king's delivering
Rakim the god? He just missed the king's style
'Cause they know they'll fall
Because they know they will fail
And I'll blow them all to smithereens
And I will outshine them all completely
Real, real spill, yeah
Real, real talk, yeah
Baby girl,
Honey,
I know I ain't the only one that know you could be bitchy
I know I'm not the only one who knows you can be difficult
You know what I'm sizzling?
Do you know what I'm saying?
Ol' boy,
Old friend,
I know I ain't the only one that know you could be bitchy
I know I'm not the only one who knows you can be difficult
Do your research before you down somebody else
Investigate and gather information before criticizing someone else
Get off your high horse
Stop being arrogant
Keyshia Cole, get off your high horse
Keyshia Cole, stop being arrogant
Rakim, get off your high horse
Rakim, stop being arrogant
Industry, get off your high horse
Music industry, stop being arrogant
Yeah
Yes
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: BOB JAMES, DARRYL YATES, PAUL HENDRICKS, TACOMA WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hriaaata2979
Blown Away
Tech N9ne
I know y'all don't see me on tv
Or hear me on the radio
But you industry brats
Better check billboard and Pollstar
Before y'all get to crying
About who get seniority at these shows
Especially when compared to me
Y'all ain't shit on stage
I hit the stage
Grab the mic and blow 'em all away (I blow 'em all away)
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
The gig is over, the gig is over (bitty bye-bye)
The gig is over, the gig is over (when a play)
The kid is older and getting colder (many fly by)
But his will hold ya, so listen closer to (a-a)-r-o-n
They dissing and twisting my name
Because Aaron is scaring these glitz spitting pricks in the game
Hit with this gift, everybody get a whiff of this script and it's pain
Gotta talk about the people with a attitude
Hiss me and slipped in my lane
I've been wrecking crowds for a long second now
Got 'em guessing how tech is blessed
And yes, the best in-town rep
On the real, I keep it trill
And when I spit, I ain't spilling about my million
It's the feeling that you get with this underground headliner
Mainstream ignored a bro
And they be petty, so jealousy is sure to show
But they rich and got more to blow
And everything's affordable
But they gotta go before me
Because their stage show is horrible
They may be platinum
But they know I blow 'em all away (i blow 'em all away)
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
Why you do me like that girl?
You know I love your mama
I just wanted to have a bite with her, or something
Didn't go get up on that show to fight with her, or nothing
It was Keyshia Cole, Eric Benã, Gorilla Zoe, Tech N9ne and T.I.
But Keyshia was acting bia-bia
Why she acting like a (what?), like a (what?)
She ain't know I grab the mic and light it (up), light it (up)
She say, "she don't know me"
But I'm the number one independent in the country
Man, she the only one acting funky
And the people at the summer jam, they want me
She say, "she ain't goin on before somebody that's local"
And she went postal and loco
Saying, "her not closing, is a no-go"
Down talked me real low though
About how she got more doe and just did a tv promo
No show better than the mo. bro with the s & m logo
Damn baby, much success is sitting in your favor
Slam the n9na tech before considering the data
Fans waited, so we went, so she'd get it for later
But frankie said, "excuse my daughter, she's a bit of a hater"
Damn!
They may be platinum
But they know I blow 'em all away (i blow 'em all away)
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
Hey, hey, check it
I understand senor already
But in this case, on this show, I'm a top priority
In Lawrence, your minority and I'm the majority
Check it, I was young and broke
But I'd fetch it, if it was freshest
Shelf the store for the Eric B. and Rakim record
Promoters called us and said,
"We got this show and want you to close us"
Ghostface and brother Ali rocking with a band in 'sota
We couldn't wait to see Rakim rock
But he never ever showed up
He swole up cause he didn't wanna go up before us
Man, what's wrong with these people?
Think that the world gotta kiss their asses
Five hundred capacity but you wanna get two hundred passes
Thought it was about gouda
Forty water told me,
"N9na, get ya cabbage, stay savage and ravage the average"
Y'all better hope radio and video
Keep me from slithering, into they circle
I'll change it, that's why they shivering
Rakim the god? he just miss the king's delivering
'Cause they know they'll fall
And I'll blow them all to smithereens
They may be platinum
But they know I blow 'em all away (i blow 'em all away)
(superstars), but they know I blow 'em all away, hey
Real, real spill, yeah
Baby girl,
I know I ain't the only one that know you could be bitchy
You know what I'm sizzling?
Ol' boy,
I know I ain't the only one that know you could be bitchy
Do your research before you down somebody else
Get off your high horse
Keyshia Cole, get off your high horse
Rakim, get off your high horse
@jeremyyates6570
Lost Hens
What's the matter baby
Got nothin left to lose but opportunity
Got nothin new but opportunity
Sometimes
Back then, sometimes
Nothing to gain, having everything
No need for extra
Opportunity
Now with silence
With silence and glimmers of hope
Opportunity
With nothing to lose now
With nothing else to lose but opportunity
Sometimes having what's needed
Even a little bit
Nothing to lose and going for it
Opportunity
@froey198033
Song still gives me goosebumps. Tech is so underrated and yet he's definitely in the top 10 best rapper's ever.
@lima5284
sickology 101 is without a doubt one of my favorite albums
@jeremynelson-uh9br
One of my favorite songs still listen to cd tech is the a greatest rapper today he keep being him and doing his thing
@Excitegaming0
jeremy nelson he’s dope but he’s far from the greatest.
@RJTheAlternative1
That and Strangeland are my two favorite Tech albums
@GOODNOIGHT
It was a damn good one
@atwan1
It's def one of his best works! I cant believe the whole world hasn't heard it, it's a shame really
@raiderzfan805
This song is what made me believe he was the best of the best. I have never seen anyone move and rap like he does live. He shows love and respect to his fans. This shit bangs. Remember to stay off the high 🏇
@justjsse8917
Classic track. Tech could literally just do press runs and re release some old shit and still kill the game
@tomcockrell1877
Straight facts