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/
Red Rags
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Free Uno Ace Capone
The homie Keith Fudge, I got your back homie
LETS GO!
Crew, soo-woo
Nigga that's what we do
If you want funk me too
I'm bool as a bubumber
Laces in my shoes makin you wonder
Am I gonna act a fool or bring your crew thunder
Thinkin I pack the tool, the one I use on her
I ain't trippin but the old days got my mind glitchin
Like different signs that ain't my kind got they 9's whistlin
Like a nigga wanna find this and strip clips till my wines drippin
But nobody wanna do no crime they just talkin about rhyme spittin
When I'm at the movies, careful how you steppin to me
Cause I think who's starin at me wanna do me
Cause Im flamed up and soo woo-ey
Head crash, my head's bad
Cause I be thinking some gangstas wanna head blast
Cause I run with the red rags
Crew, soo-woo
Nigga that's what we do
Who, be you
If you want funk me too
I'm a motherfucking animal, red devil, Tasmanian
Bangins' in my cranium, deuce click and five claimin it
Kansas City thang, from two clips at my range is bandana dangerous
You's crip when I'm sayin' it?
It's Soo-Woo business, then yous through nigga
Blood? I don't give a fuck if I knew you nigga
That's that 85 mentality, victim of your reality
Catchin, pumpin' that 7-11 in your fatalities
It's another nigga's wake-up, smoke water and drank up
Heavenly, blocks flames from 20's to the seventies
It's ballers tuckin' fed cash, to get you dead fast
Gangstas they head blast cause I run with the red flags!
Crew, soo-woo
Nigga that's what we do
Who, be you
If you want funk me too
Uh, I'm just bicken back and bein' bool
You don't this feelin, look you fuckin with the realest
No, gloves no, mask look you know we bout to kill it
Disrespect us will get your mami pinned to the ceilin
This is still holdin hemi's even when I'm in my jammies
Niggas wanna catch me slippin leave me sleepin like a mami
Plus they still sendin threats, haters wanna pack me out
Bunch of internet bustas always wanna run they mouth
I ain't trippin still thuggin for blood and getting guap
And you know I keep a __ let it sing just like a doo-wop
And it's always tough guys, they don't never wanna co-op
Crew, soo-woo
Nigga that's what we do
Who, be you
If you want funk me too
Signed up, suited and booted, old nigga, ready for war
Layin back, stackin cake, but it don't take much to activate
Snatch it back and act innate, reignin' down the hand of god
Chopper get to sanging nigga smokin like his elder bar
Forgive me Lord I'm trynna keep it cool
But I'm a old nigga with a quick fuse, quick to smell the bitch in dudes
Hard to walk in Scooby's shoes, do the shit that Scooby do
Fi' block, a general, I done paid my fuckin dues
Nigga this the life I chose, fuck that, life I choose
Still livin gang rules check the laces in these shoes
Gangsta nigga through and through, tried tested been approved
On blood, one love, nigga what, soo-woo
Crew, soo-woo
Nigga that's what we do
Who, be you
If you want funk me too
Crew, soo-woo
Nigga that's what we do
Who, be you
If you want funk me too
"Red Rags" is a gangsta rap song that features the artists Tech N9ne Collabos, Kutt Calhoun, Big Scoob, and Jay Rock. The lyrics of the song discuss the gang lifestyle and the danger that comes with it. The chorus uses the phrase "soo-woo," which is a popular gang slogan used by the Bloods. The song references both the Bloods and Crips gangs and suggests that the artists run with the Bloods. The lyrics also reference Uno Ace Capone and Keith Fudge, who are likely members of the Bloods gang.
The song is intense and gritty, with each artist delivering a verse that emphasizes their gangsta persona. Tech N9ne uses his quick flow to rap about his past and the danger he faced growing up. Kutt Calhoun raps about his willingness to fight against those who disrespect his gang. Big Scoob adds a different perspective, talking about his experience as an older gang member who has paid his dues. Finally, Jay Rock delivers a powerful verse about his gang ties and the violence he has seen.
Overall, "Red Rags" is a raw and intense song about the gang lifestyle, and the lyrics paint a picture of a dangerous and deadly world.
Line by Line Meaning
Some gangstas wanna head blast, cause I run with the red rags
There are some gangsters who want to shoot me because I belong to the red bandana gang.
Free Uno Ace Capone
I want Uno Ace Capone to be released from prison.
The homie Keith Fudge, I got your back homie
I am loyal to my friend Keith Fudge and will support him in any situation.
Crew, soo-woo
This is the red bandana gang call.
Nigga that's what we do
This is what we, the red bandana gang members, do.
Who, be you
Who are you to question us?
If you want funk me too
If you want to fight with me, I am ready for it.
I'm bool as a bubumber
I am calm and relaxed like a cucumber.
Laces in my shoes makin you wonder
My red shoelaces make people suspect that I am in a gang.
Am I gonna act a fool or bring your crew thunder
They are unsure if I am going to act crazy or attack them fiercely.
Thinkin I pack the tool, the one I use on her
They assume I carry a gun, the one that I use on my enemies.
I ain't trippin but the old days got my mind glitchin
I am not worried, but thinking about the past makes me uneasy.
Like different signs that ain't my kind got they 9's whistlin
Some other gang has been disrespecting us, and we suspect them of shooting at us.
Like a nigga wanna find this and strip clips till my wines drippin
Someone is out to find and kill us, and we fear that our blood will be spilled.
But nobody wanna do no crime they just talkin bout rhyme spittin
Everyone is just talking about committing crimes, but no one is actually doing anything about it.
When I'm at the movies, careful how you steppin to me
When I am at the movies, be careful how you approach me.
Cause I think who's starin at me wanna do me
I feel like people are watching me and plotting against me.
Cause Im flamed up and soo woo-ey
I am wearing red and representing the red bandana gang.
Head crash, my head's bad
I have a headache and feel uneasy.
Crew, soo-woo
This is the red bandana gang call.
I'm a motherfucking animal, red devil, Tasmanian
I am a violent and aggressive person, like an animal or devil.
Bangins' in my cranium, deuce click and five claimin it
I have gang affiliations in my head, and the gang is claiming 'deuce click' and 'five.'
Kansas City thang, from two clips at my range is bandana dangerous
It is dangerous to mess with the Kansas City gang, which is known for being violent and affiliated with the red bandana.
You's crip when I'm sayin' it?
Are you claiming to be a crip while I am speaking on this topic?
It's Soo-Woo business, then yous through nigga
If you're not down with the red bandana gang, then you're out of the club.
Blood? I don't give a fuck if I knew you nigga
I don't care if you're a fellow gang member, I won't show you any mercy if you cross me.
That's that 85 mentality, victim of your reality
This is a reference to the '85 Bloods, a subgroup of the Bloods gang. It means that I am a product of my environment and upbringing.
Catchin, pumpin' that 7-11 in your fatalities
I am capable of robbing and killing someone at a 7-11 convenience store.
It's another nigga's wake-up, smoke water and drank up
Someone else's death is a wake-up call to live life to the fullest, do drugs and indulge in alcohol.
Heavenly, blocks flames from 20's to the seventies
The streets are dangerous, with heavy gun fire and shootings happening in many different areas.
It's ballers tuckin' fed cash, to get you dead fast
There are wealthy, powerful people who are willing to pay to have someone killed.
Gangstas they head blast cause I run with the red flags!
Gang members are willing to shoot me because they know I am part of the red bandana gang.
Uh, I'm just bicken back and bein' bool
I am just chillin' and relaxing.
You don't this feelin, look you fuckin with the realest
You don't know what it's like to be in my position, so don't mess with me.
No, gloves no, mask look you know we bout to kill it
I am not afraid to show my face because I am confident in what I am doing.
Disrespect us will get your mami pinned to the ceilin
If you disrespect us, your mother will suffer the consequences.
This is still holdin hemi's even when I'm in my jammies
I am always armed and prepared for a fight, even when I am at home.
Niggas wanna catch me slippin leave me sleepin like a mami
People are trying to catch me off guard and kill me in my sleep.
Plus they still sendin threats, haters wanna pack me out
They are still threatening me and trying to kill me.
Bunch of internet bustas always wanna run they mouth
There are a lot of people talking big online, but they are not actually capable of carrying out their threats.
I ain't trippin still thuggin for blood and getting guap
I am still hustling, trying to make money and earning the respect of my gang members.
And you know I keep a __ let it sing just like a doo-wop
I always carry a gun with me and am willing to use it if necessary.
And it's always tough guys, they don't never wanna co-op
The people who are the most vocal and threatening are often the least willing to actually fight.
Signed up, suited and booted, old nigga, ready for war
I am dressed up in my gang colors and ready to fight.
Layin back, stackin cake, but it don't take much to activate
I am trying to make money and take it easy, but I am always ready to fight if necessary.
Snatch it back and act innate, reignin' down the hand of god
I will take back what is mine and act without hesitation. I am powerful and unstoppable like a god.
Chopper get to sanging nigga smokin like his elder bar
I will shoot someone with my gun until they are dead.
Forgive me Lord I'm trynna keep it cool
I am praying to god for forgiveness even though I am about to engage in violent behavior.
But I'm a old nigga with a quick fuse, quick to smell the bitch in dudes
I am an old man with a short temper, and I can tell when someone is acting cowardly.
Hard to walk in Scooby's shoes, do the shit that Scooby do
It is difficult to be in my position and do the things that I have to do.
Fi' block, a general, I done paid my fuckin dues
I am a respected member of the gang, and I have proven myself through my actions.
Nigga this the life I chose, fuck that, life I choose
This is the life that I have chosen to live, and I am not going to change it for anyone.
Still livin gang rules check the laces in these shoes
I am still following the rules of the gang, as evidenced by the color of my shoelaces.
Gangsta nigga through and through, tried tested been approved
I am a true gangster, and I have been tested and proven my worth to the gang.
On blood, one love, nigga what, soo-woo
I am loyal to the gang, and I will do whatever it takes to protect them. Soo-woo is a gang call meaning allegiance to the Bloods community.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind