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/
Holier Than Thou
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This music thing... and touring, y'know...
And still... I ain't met one person that could maintain righteousness
Know what I'm sayin'
A wise man told me evil was lurkin' and if you found it
Try your best to not put yourself around it
'Cuz when you in it you tend to push it to the limit but
I went all over the world and I done been through it
At the beginning I knew I wouldn't give in to it
But temptation over the sensation
Women I'm embracin', so many of them waitin'
Contemplatin' how to get fornication
At yo door when its late with the motivation of Satan
So they say, but things go they way
But its more then pay told her hey yo the phase for today
But lust it sets in, and crush your chest in
For dust your destined, if drugs are let in
Enough to nest in, probably make you punch your best friend
And next kin 'cuz you let s-e-x win
You mean to tell me you can fight this land
With brightness and walk the path of the righteous man?
Yo, I want to believe that, itching to see that
If a positive person can shake the negative feedback
That this life has to offer what its faster
What a disaster if you didn't obey the master
'Cuz that's mutiny, it would be new to me
If you was on tour with Tecca Nina and still you could be
[Chorus:]
(Holy, holy) If you lived in another world would you
(Know me, know me) I know you be strong, but you been gone a
(While) I know you still my
(Child) So I'm pullin' for you
(Don't you owe me) Your soul and if you know it wont
(Show me, show me) You can see me if you look above the
(Clouds) You're Holier than
(Thou) So I say it for you
How can I move the crowd without losin' out of my faith?
Lucifer out of the way (way)
Or maybe he don't even exist
I ain't gotta trip off
Gettin' hookers out of my system (get you out of my system)
See that's how he tricks em
Get em' sippin', then a big ol' mickey he slips them (I wonder why)
Music soothes the savage soul
People could lose or win, but lack control
Wish we could choose to live and fast the soul
We smashin' women then bypass the soul
They believin' everything we breathe in
Half of us is Jesus, the other half is heathen
And how we get that bad half out?
We pray the lord would cast that out
Hope you got blessins let them pass that out
When we travelin' and pass that route
Keep us under their grace is the place where we had that doubt
Where I stand, its pointin' at me, but its with my hand
I need you, you holier than I am, I am
[Chorus:]
This verse was intended for a gospel rapper that we all admire
And he goes by the name of Da T.R.U.T.H.
All we wanted was a righteous man to lead us in the right direction
And maybe if he came we could change and regroup
So we laid it down and sent it hopin' we would rap wit us, track splittas
Waited, and none of his people got back wit us
We kept callin' and they finally answered, when a month passed
We was prepared to do whatever, give it if he wants cash
But the lady who represent em would never send 'em a message from a secular messenger
Never be no nepotism, we supposed to be brothers, on the road to teach others
But the flow would be covered, don't wanna mess with Tech they know that we smothered
Anybody who diss us, retire they weak flow
'Cuz this is the pinnacle, nobody flyer than me, bro
If you didn't like it then I admire the ego,
And if they never told ya, then you better fire ya people
'Cause fallen angels came for your help and then she pushed 'em
But Christians be the first to run they mouth about Muslims
But they always helpin' in the hood, but y'all closed me out
Y'all didn't even really wanna know what we bout
And we Bombay, trippin' on this on the don spay
And I had to spit on in 'cuz I couldn't afford Kanye
I needed help, your people showed me the wall
Be lowly as y'all, I guess y'all wasn't holy at all... naw!
Much love to the gospel MC
J Blast for coming down in the midst of sinners to try to help us remedy our situation...
Even though most if his peers told him not to
'Cuz we secular MCs.
Thanks for giving me Da T.R.U.T.H. CD and bringing true Godliness to our circle bro...
God bless you, for being so...
[Chorus:]
(Thou) oooooooh... yeeeeaaaah
The song “Holier Than Thou” performed by Tech N9NE, Krizz Kaliko, and Strange Lane Choir is about the struggle to maintain righteousness in a life of tour and music. It describes the hardships of temptation, and how it is easy to fall prey to the desires of the flesh. It also encourages listeners to stay on the path of righteousness and maintain their faith, even during roadblocks and setbacks.
The verse “A wise man told me evil was lurkin', and if you found it, try your best to not put yourself around it. 'Cuz when you in it you tend to push it to the limit,” emphasizes how dangerous it is to surround oneself with negativity, as it can be a recipe for sin. The lyrics also acknowledge how certain vices, such as drugs or sex, can lead to self-destruction, and the importance of staying grounded and maintaining faith.
In conclusion, the song highlights the difficulty of remaining faithful in the face of temptation, while also encouraging listeners to remain steadfast in their beliefs and to avoid negative influences that can lead to sin.
Line by Line Meaning
We been doing this for a long long time now...
We have been involved in the music industry and touring for a significant amount of time.
And still... I ain't met one person that could maintain righteousness
Despite all the years in the industry, I have not met anyone who can consistently uphold moral standards.
Know what I'm sayin'
Do you understand what I'm trying to convey?
A wise man told me evil was lurkin' and if you found it
Someone wise cautioned me about the presence of evil and what to do if I encounter it.
Try your best to not put yourself around it
Do everything in your power to avoid being in its presence.
'Cuz when you in it you tend to push it to the limit but
Because once you immerse yourself in it, you have a tendency to indulge to the extreme.
Then when the sin beginnin' you wish you would stay grounded
When the temptation leads to sinful actions, you will regret not staying true to your principles.
I went all over the world and I done been through it
I have traveled extensively, experiencing a variety of situations.
At the beginning I knew I wouldn't give in to it
Initially, I was confident that I would not succumb to temptation.
But temptation over the sensation
However, the allure of temptation overpowered my better judgment.
Women I'm embracin', so many of them waitin'
I find myself entangled with multiple women who are eagerly waiting for my attention.
Contemplatin' how to get fornication
They are strategizing ways to engage in sexual activities.
At yo door when its late with the motivation of Satan
They arrive at your doorstep late at night with the temptations fueled by demonic influence.
So they say, but things go they way
However, as the saying goes, things don't always go as planned.
But its more then pay told her hey yo the phase for today
But there's more to life than money. I told her the phase we should focus on today.
But lust it sets in, and crush your chest in
But the powerful desire for lust takes hold and weighs heavily on your conscience.
For dust your destined, if drugs are let in
If you succumb to drugs, your fate is destined for ruin.
Enough to nest in, probably make you punch your best friend
It has the potential to seep into your being and even lead you to harm those closest to you.
And next kin 'cuz you let s-e-x win
Even family members can be affected if you allow sexual desires to control your actions.
You mean to tell me you can fight this land
Are you trying to say that you can resist these temptations?
With brightness and walk the path of the righteous man?
Can you navigate through life with moral integrity and adhere to the path of righteousness?
Yo, I want to believe that, itching to see that
I genuinely want to believe it, and I am eager to witness someone who embodies that.
If a positive person can shake the negative feedback
If someone who radiates positivity can overcome negative criticism.
That this life has to offer what its faster
That the challenges and temptations of life can be surpassed.
What a disaster if you didn't obey the master
It would be a catastrophic outcome if you failed to follow the commands of a higher authority or God.
'Cuz that's mutiny, it would be new to me
Because that would be an act of rebellion, which is unfamiliar territory for me.
If you was on tour with Tecca Nina and still you could be
Even if you were on tour with Tech N9ne and still managed to uphold righteousness.
(Holy, holy) If you lived in another world would you
If you resided in a different world, would you
(Know me, know me) I know you be strong, but you been gone a
I know you possess strength, but you have been absent for a
(While) I know you still my
I am aware that you are still my
(Child) So I'm pullin' for you
Therefore, I am rooting for you
(Don't you owe me) Your soul and if you know it wont
You have a debt to me for your soul, and if you are aware that you cannot
(Show me, show me) You can see me if you look above the
Reveal your presence to me if you direct your attention to the heavens
(Clouds) You're Holier than
That is where your holiness surpasses
(Thou) So I say it for you
Therefore, I will express it on your behalf
How can I move the crowd without losin' out of my faith?
How can I engage and captivate the audience without compromising my beliefs?
Lucifer out of the way (way)
Removing the influence of Lucifer, or the devil, from my path
Or maybe he don't even exist
Or perhaps he doesn't exist at all
I ain't gotta trip off
I don't have to worry about
Gettin' hookers out of my system (get you out of my system)
Removing the temptation of engaging with prostitutes from my life
See that's how he tricks em
This is how he deceives people
Get em' sippin', then a big ol' mickey he slips them (I wonder why)
He gets them to drink, and then he secretly adds a strong sedative to their beverage (I question why)
Music soothes the savage soul
Music has the power to calm even the most aggressive or turbulent soul
People could lose or win, but lack control
Individuals can experience victories or defeats, but often lack self-control
Wish we could choose to live and fast the soul
We desire the ability to consciously decide to prioritize spiritual growth
We smashin' women then bypass the soul
We engage in sexual acts with women without considering the impact on our souls
They believin' everything we breathe in
They trust and believe everything we say or convey
Half of us is Jesus, the other half is heathen
Half of us exhibit qualities resembling Jesus, while the other half demonstrate heathen behavior
And how we get that bad half out?
How can we eliminate the negative aspects of our character?
We pray the lord would cast that out
We pray to God, asking Him to remove those negative qualities from us
Hope you got blessins let them pass that out
We hope you have blessings that you can share with others
When we travelin' and pass that route
When we are on the road, traveling along that path
Keep us under their grace is the place where we had that doubt
Please keep us under your divine grace, as that is the moment when our doubts start to arise
Where I stand, its pointin' at me, but its with my hand
From where I am positioned, it appears as if the blame is directed at me, but I realize I am responsible for my own actions
I need you, you holier than I am, I am
I acknowledge that I need you, as you possess more holiness than I do
This verse was intended for a gospel rapper that we all admire
This verse was meant for a gospel rapper whom we deeply respect
And he goes by the name of Da T.R.U.T.H.
He is known by the name Da T.R.U.T.H.
All we wanted was a righteous man to lead us in the right direction
Our sole desire was for a morally upright individual to guide us on the correct path
And maybe if he came we could change and regroup
Perhaps if he joined us, we could undergo a transformation and come together
So we laid it down and sent it hopin' we would rap wit us, track splittas
Thus, we recorded this verse and sent it, hoping he would collaborate with us and share his perspective on the track
Waited, and none of his people got back wit us
We waited patiently, but none of his representatives contacted us
We kept callin' and they finally answered, when a month passed
We persisted in making phone calls, and they only responded after a month had gone by
We was prepared to do whatever, give it if he wants cash
We were ready to provide whatever was necessary, including financial compensation, if that is what he desired
But the lady who represent em would never send 'em a message from a secular messenger
However, the woman who represents him refused to relay any communication from someone who is not involved in the gospel genre
Never be no nepotism, we supposed to be brothers, on the road to teach others
There should be no favoritism shown, as we are supposed to be like brothers, traveling together to educate and inspire others
But the flow would be covered, don't wanna mess with Tech they know that we smothered
But our talent and potential would be overshadowed, as they don't want to associate themselves with Tech N9ne's group, knowing that we excel in comparison
Anybody who diss us, retire they weak flow
Anyone who disrespects or disses us will inevitably retire their weak style of rap
'Cuz this is the pinnacle, nobody flyer than me, bro
Because we have reached the peak of our career, and there is no one more skilled or captivating than us
If you didn't like it then I admire the ego
If you didn't appreciate our music, I can appreciate your ego and understand that taste varies among individuals
And if they never told ya, then you better fire ya people
And if nobody has informed you, then it is time to dismiss the individuals surrounding you
'Cause fallen angels came for your help and then she pushed 'em
Because fallen angels sought your assistance, but you rejected them
But Christians be the first to run they mouth about Muslims
However, Christians often criticize and speak out against Muslims without fully understanding them
But they always helpin' in the hood, but y'all closed me out
Meanwhile, Muslims are often actively involved in aiding communities, but you have excluded me from your circle
Y'all didn't even really wanna know what we bout
You never truly wanted to understand the purpose and values we represent
And we Bombay, trippin' on this on the don spay
We are from Bombay, contemplating this situation and reflecting on its consequences
And I had to spit on in 'cuz I couldn't afford Kanye
I had to contribute my thoughts because I couldn't afford the services of someone like Kanye West
I needed help, your people showed me the wall
I was in need of assistance, but your team presented me with obstacles and barriers
Be lowly as y'all, I guess y'all wasn't holy at all... naw!
Be as humble as you all claim to be, but I suppose you were not truly righteous... no!
Much love to the gospel MC
I have great respect and admiration for the gospel MC
J Blast for coming down in the midst of sinners to try to help us remedy our situation...
J Blast deserves appreciation for descending into the midst of individuals who engage in sinful behavior in an attempt to assist us in resolving our problems
Even though most if his peers told him not to
Despite receiving advice from the majority of his colleagues advising against it
'Cuz we secular MCs
Because we are MCs who do not focus primarily on religious or spiritual themes
Thanks for giving me Da T.R.U.T.H. CD and bringing true Godliness to our circle bro...
I express gratitude for receiving Da T.R.U.T.H.'s CD and for introducing sincere spirituality into our group, my brother...
God bless you, for being so...
May God bless you for demonstrating such...
(Thou) oooooooh... yeeeeaaaah
(Thou) Oh... yes
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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