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/
Save Yourself
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got the idea to do this next one right after the S.H.E. shit happened
So my nigga Kaliko came through and blew this shit!
You might have heard it on our shows, it's a little skit called Save Yourself
All Kaliko, no backround singer or nothing, you know what I'm sizzlin
It was writen and produced by me, Krizz, and Icy Roc
It's called Save Yourself, check it out
You can't get my money hoe, you're scheming on my wealth
How about getting a j-o-b then you can save yourself
I don't know why these hoes are always in my face for money
Gran Rice, Kutt, and Tech N9ne said save yourself. Save yourself
Gran Rice, Kutt, and Tech N9ne said save yourself
(Applause)
The intro to Tech N9ne's song "Save Yourself" sets up the context for the song which is a skit that has been performed on their shows. The skit is called "Save Yourself" and is performed by Tech N9ne's collaborator, Big Krizz Kaliko. The song addresses the issue of people, mostly women, constantly wanting to get money from Kaliko. He tells them that they need to get a job and save themselves instead of constantly trying to take his money. He states that Tech N9ne, Kutt, and Gran Rice are also supporting this message. It is clear that Kaliko is tired of being seen as a money tree and wants people to take responsibility for their own lives. The song is an anthem for personal responsibility and self-sufficiency.
The lyrics of "Save Yourself" highlight the issue of people always wanting to take from others without putting in the effort to earn their own money. It reflects a society that glorifies instant gratification and shortcuts rather than hard work and dedication. Kaliko's message is not only important for those who constantly want to take but also for individuals who may be enabling them by giving into their demands. The song encourages self-reflection and self-examination. It is a call to action for individuals to take responsibility for their own lives and work hard to achieve their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't get my money hoe, you're scheming on my wealth
I know you're trying to trick me into giving you my money when you don't deserve it.
How about getting a j-o-b then you can save yourself
Instead of relying on me for money, you should work hard and take care of yourself.
I don't know why these hoes are always in my face for money
I don't understand why some women assume they can demand money from me without putting in any effort themselves.
Gran Rice, Kutt, and Tech N9ne said save yourself. Save yourself
My friends and I are encouraging people to take responsibility for their own lives and not rely on others for support.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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