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/
EF U
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't lay down yet
Don't lay down, lay down
Don't lay down yet
This is dedicated to the ones that are broken
Stay here with us
Your time to shine is coming
Do you know somebody in pain, I know somebody's
All fed up and off in the brain, heartbroken probably
I been broke when life was not gleaming with hope and foggy
But I would never dump it on you, then later say sorry
It be the hardest when a loved one's life isn't starlit
When they call you, they think the smartest way out of it is depart it
You tell 'em that shit retarded, and hate the call even started
Know they heart isn't guarded, not even your art is cathartic
Please think about your people, yo
Ease on about your ego, bro
That's about far as evil go
You don't really wanna fly like an eagle though
But in case you wanna know how sin taste
I wanna try to help another, save a brother from a grim fate
How could you make friends break down and act like an ingrate
Selfishness, that's what it is
When all your family and friends just wanna see a brother live
But if you don't see the gutter through, you're gonna leave the others blue
You make it hard as fuck for us, but think it's easier for you
Damn
It's easier for you
To take yourself away from things we all go through
But if you knew that it was killing me
It's killing me, would you?
Would you still believe that it was easier to do?
World ain't never been easy
Don't lay down, lay down
Don't lay down yet
Don't lay down, lay down
Don't lay down yet
Only the angels know the pain that you hold on to
Why would you leave me lone, just cause it's easy for you?
I know somebody that's stuck down on the bottom
And he deals with his problems in ways that never solve 'em
And I know how he feels inside
Try to give him flowers while he's still alive
I see demons in my sleep
Got a teardrop falling down my cheek
Don't lay down homie you can't leave me now
I woke up in the middle of the night, I was drenched in a cold sweat, stressing
I couldn't fall back asleep so I picked up the phone and I sent you a message
And it said
After everything that we've been through
Through the ups and downs just know that I believe in you
You said you won't leave me, I know I'm a piece of you
So don't you make this hard on us just cause it's easier for you
It's easier for you
To take yourself away from things we all go through
But if you knew that it was killing me
It's killing me, would you?
Would you still believe that it was easier to do?
World ain't never been easy for you
Don't lay down, lay down
Don't lay down yet
Don't lay down, lay down
Don't lay down yet
You
It's easier for you
You
It's easier for you
The song "EF U" is a powerful message directed toward anyone who has ever felt broken, lost, or in pain. It encourages them not to give up, not to lay down just yet, and to trust that their time to shine is coming. The lyrics strive to convey the message that while life may not be easy, there is always hope and help available.
The song begins by acknowledging that everyone knows somebody who is struggling, and in this case, it is someone who is heartbroken and probably feeling off in the brain. The message urges the person not to dump their pain and suffering onto others and reminds them that those around them genuinely care and want to see them live.
The song goes on to discuss the selfishness of taking oneself away from things we all go through just because it's easier for them. It emphasizes the importance of not leaving loved ones alone and the profound pain and sense of abandonment that it causes. It also mentions the demons that haunt people during sleep and emphasizes the need to reach out and support each other, especially during times of need.
Overall, “EF U” conveys the powerful message to never give up, and to always believe that there is help and hope. The song emphasizes the importance of being there for one another and the harm caused by someone choosing to take themselves away from things because it's easier for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't lay down, lay down
Don't give up, keep fighting
Don't lay down yet
There's still hope, don't give up yet
Don't lay down, lay down
Don't give up, keep trying
Don't lay down yet
You still have a chance, keep going
This is dedicated to the ones that are broken
This song is for those who are going through tough times
Stay here with us
We want you to stick around and keep fighting
Your time to shine is coming
Things will get better, you just have to keep going
Trust
Believe in yourself and know that others believe in you too
Do you know somebody in pain, I know somebody's
Do you know someone who is struggling? I know someone who is
All fed up and off in the brain, heartbroken probably
They're probably feeling overwhelmed and heartbroken
I been broke when life was not gleaming with hope and foggy
I've been in a tough spot before, where I couldn't see a positive future
But I would never dump it on you, then later say sorry
I wouldn't burden you with my problems and then apologize later
It be the hardest when a loved one's life isn't starlit
It's especially difficult when someone you love is struggling
When they call you, they think the smartest way out of it is depart it
They may be considering giving up or leaving this world
You tell 'em that shit retarded, and hate the call even started
You tell them that's not a smart option and hate that they even considered it
Know they heart isn't guarded, not even your art is cathartic
They're not protecting their heart, and even your music isn't helping
Please think about your people, yo
Think about those who care about you
Ease on about your ego, bro
Stop being selfish and considerate of others
That's about far as evil go
This is one of the worst things you can do
You don't really wanna fly like an eagle though
You don't really want to die, even if it seems like an easy way out
But in case you wanna know how sin taste
If you're curious what the consequences of giving up are, it's not worth it
I wanna try to help another, save a brother from a grim fate
I want to help someone in need and prevent them from making a tragic decision
How could you make friends break down and act like an ingrate
Why would you hurt your friends and make them feel unappreciated?
Selfishness, that's what it is
Giving up and leaving others behind is selfish
When all your family and friends just wanna see a brother live
Your loved ones just want you to keep fighting and survive
But if you don't see the gutter through, you're gonna leave the others blue
If you don't see the struggles through, you'll leave others feeling sad and defeated
You make it hard as fuck for us, but think it's easier for you
You're making it difficult for everyone else, even though you think giving up would be easier
It's easier for you
Giving up may seem like an easier option
To take yourself away from things we all go through
To remove yourself from the struggles of life
But if you knew that it was killing me
If you knew that your actions were hurting me
It's killing me, would you?
Would you still choose to give up?
Would you still believe that it was easier to do?
Would you still think that giving up was the best option?
World ain't never been easy
Life has never been easy for anyone
Only the angels know the pain that you hold on to
Only you truly know the pain you're going through
Why would you leave me lone, just cause it's easy for you?
Why would you abandon me and give up, even though it may seem like the easier thing to do?
I know somebody that's stuck down on the bottom
I know someone who is really struggling
And he deals with his problems in ways that never solve 'em
And he copes with his problems in ineffective and unhealthy ways
And I know how he feels inside
I understand how he must be feeling
Try to give him flowers while he's still alive
Trying to show him appreciation and support while he's still here
I see demons in my sleep
I have my own demons and struggles that I deal with
Got a teardrop falling down my cheek
I'm emotional and saddened by the struggles of those around me
Don't lay down homie you can't leave me now
Don't give up, I need you to keep fighting and sticking around
I woke up in the middle of the night, I was drenched in a cold sweat, stressing
I had a stressful night, filled with worry and fear
I couldn't fall back asleep so I picked up the phone and I sent you a message
I reached out to you in the only way I knew how
After everything that we've been through
We've been through a lot together
Through the ups and downs just know that I believe in you
I still believe in you and your ability to overcome this
You said you won't leave me, I know I'm a piece of you
You promised you would stick around, and I'm grateful for that
So don't you make this hard on us just cause it's easier for you
Don't choose the easier option if it means making it harder for those around you
You
You
It's easier for you
Giving up may seem easier
You
You
It's easier for you
Giving up may seem easier
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
Written by: Aaron Dontez Yates
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JellyRoll
It was such an honor to be apart of this album. Even more of a privilege for tech to let me get on a song that was directed to help so many people . Depression and drug addiction is real- thank y’all for sharing this 🙏
@shadowtrap18
Love Ya jelly straight from Memphis bro
@RyzzS8911
U were awesome on this man, much love!
@purgatorybeatz1991
Tons of love and thanks from Oklahoma brother, thank you for being a part of this
@Bpowderr
Jelly roll it's awesome you had the opportunity. I respect your achievements and how you came up and your music is 🔥 and real, not mainstream and original. Keep it up and never sell out. Much love from East ATL zone 6.
@VibrantClouds
First time hearing you, definitely will be looking up more!
@yesitstherealAfroHippy
Jelly Roll really went off on this one...🔥🔥🔥
@jonathanadkins6794
Never even knew Tech and Jelly Roll had worked together, love both their music this song just hit different. Thank you all
@Sim_ulation7
They are all on creature together to
@brandonlovessports1866
Oh yeah they are really close friends and have been for many years