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/
Going Bad
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything was suppose to be all Jesus
But it seems like everything is all Satan
But it seems like everything is all Satan
Everything was suppose to be all Jesus
Everything was suppose to be all Jesus
But it seems like everything is all Satan
But it seems like everything is all Satan
[1st Verse]
In the new millennium
You can't play with nobody's mind
Man
Deliberately messing up a good thing
Or holding up a grind
And
You already knowing life's a big fight
Against time
Man
Crime minds
Really shine
Who's dying
Is the kind
Man
When some of us
Find that life ain't beautiful
We switch to
Pharmaceuticals
Your nine to five
Ain't suitable
For the cuticles
I'm going bad
Currently I keep ending up
With even less
Than I had
Record company
Is dealing me something sad
How do you expect
A man to sit
And wait with three kids
For you to
Figure out
What Tech's SINGLE is
Going bad
I feel like
I just might
Act a fool
When I see 'em
Gotta a nigga
Feeling petty
Looking forward
To perdeium
I got some issues
Most of these record execs
Are soft as tissues
Defecate on they self
When they here some
I'm gon get yous
Understand this
When a Rogue's at
You're trying to hold back
His dough sack
And try to bozack
And he go cock
The 4 4 back
You chose that
So cut these ties
And I'll rise
Let's compromise
Or else
I'll hop a plane
With my guys
QDIII said
It ain't all good
When you sign with a record label
Who ain't
Had a hot soundtrack
Ever since
Boyz N Da Hood
[Bridge]
I'm going bad
No luck
I'm going
Bad, bad, bad
So rough
I'm going
Bad, bad, bad
No church
I'm going
Bad, bad, bad
Disperse
I'm going
Bad
Feel me out now
[Hook-Charmelle]
This life I live
Ain't extra
No angels to
Stand next to
To live a life that's better
I'll sacrifice
Whatever
This life I live
Ain't extra
No angles to
Stand next to
To live a life that's better
I'll sacrifice
Whatever
[LeCoya LeJuene]
No one wants to see
An angel in this world
In these days
To them I am
The epitome of evil
A found soul
Looking to save the lost
To them I am death
And of not wanting
An evil man
[2nd Verse]
For living expenses
They gave me like
Thirty-five G's
Picture me in a hospital
Shot up
With thirty I V's
That's what I really needed
When I found out
This drama
Trauma
Instead of moving
I should've kept all that
And continued to stay
With my girls Momma
Gutter
Living
Got me tripping
I'm smoking bud daily
Gutter
Living
Got me tripping
I'm going blood crazy
Gutter
Living
Got me tripping
I'm struggling like a bad actor
Gutter
Living
Got me sounding like
The Madd Rapper
The bad influence
The bad apple
The bad seed
That's me
The bad people
The bad karma
The bad breed
Mushroom tripping
Brain's a mushroom cloud
Finding groupies
Tugging on my zipper
While I'm hanging on
To my vows
Demons surround me
In triple
Stage darkness
And taunt me
They know I'm the good guy
Going bad
So they want me
All my family remembers
Way back in the day
I was good
But they doubt now
Disperse
I'm going bad
Feel me out now
[Hook-Charmelle]
This life I live
Ain't extra
No angels to
Stand next to
To live a life that's better
I'll sacrifice
Whatever
This life I live
Ain't extra
No angels to
Stand next to
To live a life that's better
I'll sacrifice
Whatever
[LeCoya LeJuene]
To say going bad
To most
Ha
Never been good
Just getting worst
Thoughts to destroy
And to tear things apart
Thoughts to praise
Adore
And to love
The trick is
What voice is telling you what
[3rd Verse]
Mind state of a pirate
I'm irate
Used to be cool
Till some straight fool
Lit the pilot
Will I be that
Mid-town bound
In the middle of a riot
Or at a wherehouse
Shipping platinum
Shaking hands with
Violet
No love for the bane
False foes in the game
The Qwest wreck was a shame
Twas a journey full of pain
But Tech N9NE will remain
Hella brave
And untame
So make way
For the reign
I'm bringing Highland and Wayne
No thanks to Qwest
They on the receiving end
Of the gun
I cursed you
Everytime I climb
You're getting fired
One by one
But taking one with me
Cause she knows the true meaning
Of a modern day hippie
Who creates jewels off mushrooms
And bombs sticky
HOG STYLIN'
Mid West Side
And Newday
And King Tech & Sway
These are the people keeping me alive
To this day much love
QD said
You can't make rell
With a label who let
Tipper Gore talk shit
And made 'em take Ice T's cop killer
Off the shelves
[Bridge]
I'm going bad
No luck
I'm going
Bad
So rough
I'm going
Bad
No church
I'm going
Bad
Disperse
I'm going
Bad
Feel me out now
[Hook-Charmelle]
This life I live
Ain't extra
No angels to
Stand next to
To live a life that's better
I'll sacrifice
Whatever
This life I live
Ain't extra
No angels to
Stand next to
To live a life that's better
I'll sacrifice
Whatever
[LeCoya LeJuene]
Right now I can't distinguish
Which voice I'm listening to
Am I evil
Or just another lost soul
Going bad
Or just been bad
And getting worst
The opening lines of Tech N9ne's "Going Bad" reveal his frustration with life not turning out the way he imagined it would. He questions the morality of society and the industry as he grapples with how to reconcile his dreams with the reality he is facing. Tech N9ne describes the challenges of being an artist in the new millennium where the music industry offers no guarantees of achieving success, and tries to hold back the flow of his wealth.
Tech reveals his inner battle between good and evil, one which he had to fight alone. He questions whether he is evil or just another lost soul slowly getting worse. Life has got him going bad, but he feels that he is doing it all for a better life in the future. He realizes that he needs to sacrifice something to achieve his desires. "Going Bad" highlights the importance of introspection, self-awareness, and self-evaluation of your values, intentions, and behaviors.
The song is a vivid description of the struggles and reality faced by celebrities and artists. In the song, Tech N9ne speaks about the dark side of the music industry, which expects its artists to sacrifice a lot, be it their morals or physical health for success. The industry is very different from his expectations, and he feels that the record company has dealt with him unfairly. He feels like he’s not getting his worth, being taken advantage of, and pressured to change his image to appeal to a broader audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything was suppose to be all Jesus
Life was supposed to be all good, everything was supposed to be peaceful.
But it seems like everything is all Satan
Unfortunately, life has turned out to be the complete opposite of that and it seems like everything is going wrong.
In the new millennium
In the present age and time
You can't play with nobody's mind
You cannot manipulate people's thoughts and emotions.
Man, Deliberately messing up a good thing
It is a bad idea to intentionally ruin a good opportunity or relationship.
Or holding up a grind
Or stopping the process of hustling or working hard.
And you already knowing life's a big fight
Life can be a challenging battle.
Against time
A struggle against time.
Crime minds really shine, who's dying is the kind
People who have committed crimes tend to have a competitive advantage, unfortunately they end up being the ones who are killed.
When some of us find that life ain't beautiful
When some people find out that life isn't what it seems.
We switch to pharmaceuticals
People resort to using drugs and painkillers to cope.
Your nine to five ain't suitable for the cuticles
Having a monotonous job is not fulfilling or satisfying.
I'm going bad currently
I am currently not in a good situation
I keep ending up with even less than I had
I am continuously losing things and not gaining anything.
Record company is dealing me something sad
The record company is giving me something bad.
How do you expect a man to sit and wait with three kids
How can you expect me to wait around with my three kids?
For you to figure out what Tech's single is
For the record company to determine which song of mine is going to be the single.
Going bad, I feel like I just might act a fool when I see 'em
'Going bad' is causing me to act recklessly when I see the people who are responsible.
Gotta a nigga feeling petty
I'm feeling extremely resentful and spiteful.
Looking forward to perdeium
Looking forward to the daily allowance when traveling.
I got some issues
I have some personal problems and struggles that I am dealing with.
Most of these record execs are soft as tissues
Most record label executives are weak and indecisive.
Defecate on they self when they hear some I'm gon get yous
They are afraid of my potential and threaten to defecate on themselves.
Understand this when a Rogue's at, you're trying to hold back his dough sack
You are holding back someone who is rebellious and their finances.
And try to bozack, and he go cock the 4 4 back, you chose that
They are taunting others, hoping to get them to react and when they do, they'll bring out their weapon as if they had no choice and claim they had no other option.
So cut these ties and I'll rise, let's compromise
If we end our relationship, I will prosper and if we continue to work together, perhaps we can come to an agreement.
Or else I'll hop a plane with my guys
Otherwise, I'll leave with my friends.
QDIII said it ain't all good when you sign with a record label who ain't had a hot soundtrack ever since Boyz N Da Hood
According to QDIII, it is unwise to sign up with a record company that hasn't produced a good song since Boyz N Da Hood.
This life I live ain't extra, no angels to stand next to
I'm just living an ordinary life and there are no good people around me.
To live a life that's better, I'll sacrifice whatever
In order to achieve my goals and live a better life, I will sacrifice everything I can.
No angels to, no one wants to see an angel in this world
People do not desire to see anyone perfect in this world.
In these days to them I am the epitome of evil
I am viewed as very evil in peoples' eyes.
A found soul looking to save the lost
I am a person who is lost and looking for a way to put my life back together.
To them I am death and of not wanting an evil man
To those around me I represent death and not someone they want to be around.
For living expenses they gave me like thirty-five G's, picture me in a hospital shot up with thirty I V's
The amount of money they gave me for living expenses was not enough. Could you imagine me in a hospital with 30 intravenous fluids?
That's what I really needed when I found out this drama trauma
I was in dire need of medical attention when I became traumatized by this situation.
Instead of moving I should've kept all that and continued to stay with my girl's momma, gutter living got me tripping
Instead of moving on, I should have stayed with my ex's mother and continued to live in poverty. It is frustrating and bothersome.
I'm smoking bud daily, I'm going blood crazy, I'm struggling like a bad actor
I am smoking weed regularly which is driving me mad and acting like I'm struggling in a movie scene poorly.
Got me sounding like the Madd Rapper
I am sounding very frustrated and angry.
The bad influence, the bad apple, the bad seed, that's me
I am the person causing negative influences and am a liability or constraint.
The bad people, the bad karma, the bad breed
I am around bad people and just have bad luck.
Mushroom tripping, brain's a mushroom cloud
I am in a hallucinogenic state and my mind is clouded.
Finding groupies tugging on my zipper while I'm hanging on to my vows
I am trying to be faithful to my vows but groupies keep pulling at me sexually.
Demons surround me in triple stage darkness and taunt me
I am being surrounded by negative and malevolent entities and they are taunting me.
They know I'm the good guy so they want me
They are targeting me specifically because they know I am a good person.
All my family remembers way back in the day I was good, but they doubt now
My family only remembers me being good in the past. However, they doubt me now.
To say going bad to most, ha never been good just getting worse
Most people believe I have never been good and am just getting worse.
Thoughts to destroy and to tear things apart, thoughts to praise, adore, and to love, the trick is what voice is telling you what
There is a constant debate between whether one should be positive and constructive or negative and destructive. The key is to choose which thoughts to listen to and act on.
Mind state of a pirate, I'm irate
I feel like a pirate and as if no one can stop me. I am also very angry.
Used to be cool till some straight fool lit the pilot
I used to be calm and collected until someone lit me up and now I'm just angry all the time.
Will I be that mid-town bound in the middle of a riot or at a wherehouse shipping platinum shaking hands with violet
I wonder if I'll end up in the middle of a riot or if I'll become famous and shake hands with a movie star.
No love for the bane, false foes in the game
I don't care for my opponents, they are not real.
The Qwest wreck was a shame, twas a journey full of pain, but Tech N9NE will remain, hella brave and untame
The Qwest wreck was a terrible incident, but it was a journey full of pain and I will remain strong and defiant.
So make way for the reign, I'm bringing Highland and Wayne
Clear the space, because I'm taking over and bringing with me my friends Highland and Wayne.
No thanks to Qwest, they're on the receiving end of the gun
Thanks to Qwest for bringing this situation which has caused me a lot of pain. They will be the ones who will be punished.
I cursed you every time I climb, you're getting fired one by one but taking one with me
Every time I have success, I swear by your downfall and will take someone down with me.
Cause she knows the true meaning of a modern-day hippie who creates jewels off mushrooms and bombs sticky
There is someone who appreciates and understands me for being a modern hippie and being creative.
HOG STYLIN' Mid West Side and Newday and King Tech & Sway, these are the people keeping me alive to this day much love
My friends from different regions are keeping me going and they have my back. I love them.
You can't make rell with a label who let Tipper Gore talk shit and made 'em take Ice T's cop killer off the shelves
It is difficult to have a good relationship with a record label who allows someone like Tipper Gore to berate us and remove Ice-T's 'Cop Killer' from the shelves.
Right now I can't distinguish which voice I'm listening to, am I evil or just another lost soul or just been bad and getting worse
I am finding it very difficult to tell which thoughts I should listen to and act on. Am I a bad person, someone who is lost, or am I just getting worse?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: AARON YATES, CHARMELLE COFIELD, LECOYA LEJUENE, SEAN RASPBERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind