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/
Shit Is Real
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got my check man I
Damn I really need a (Party)
So when the weekend come
I'm tryin' to get beef then some (All night all day)
Tryin' to break the monotony
Get away from my property
Ain't no way that you stoppin' me
But the (?tech?) was a shock to me
That will let my velocity slow
Wanna party with me let me know
We party cause we in pain
We party to celebrate
To keep from goin' insane
We party just to escape
No matter how much the cost
Regardless of what it takes
You call my phone and it's off
I'm tryin' to numb the mistakes
But if you feel like you chill put yo cups up
But if you ill about yo bills and it's just touch
Take a drink but don't spill
This ain't no time to be still
Fuck the world, what you know, and realize shit is real
[Chorus:]
Shit is real (about 20 times)
Saturday night and I
Still got some check man I
Damn I really need a (Party)
Now that the weekend's here
It's time for the cheefin' and beer (All night all day)
Whether you puff or you're drinkin'
When life is tough we go seekin'
Somethin' to thrust or go deep in
Work is rough with no freakin'
So we lustfully speakin'
Girl, yo what's up for the weekend?
Plan a trip to Las Vegas
A room at the Venetian
Let's go
We party cause we in pain
We party to celebrate
To keep from goin' insane
We party just to escape
No matter how much the cost
Regardless of what it takes
If you're found or you're lost
Hey baby these are the breaks
But if you good it's understood that you prosperous
We from the hood and drinkin 'good means a lot to us
Put away yo knife and yo steel
Have some fun and you'll feel
Like a shield has been lifted
Yet and still shit is real
[Chorus:]
Sunday night and I
Blew my check man I
(damn)damn I really wanna (Party)
Now that the weekend's done
I'm tryin' to sleep in some(All night all day)
Hey yo this song's for the strong
Not for the backboneless
Workers who don't make enough for they own
But give to the homeless atonement
For the wrong that has grown
Strong for the long
Spent time for dimes
You better take advantage of this moment
Yo
We party cause we in pain
We party to celebrate
To keep from goin' insane
We party just to escape
No matter how much the cost
Regardless of what it takes
Never put your trust in the state
They not controllin' yo fate
But if you made it then I'll say you did yo thang today
But if you lost it then I'll say party yo pain away
Do your job or your ??
Don't lose control of the will
It's Sunday night but on Monday realize shit is real
In Tech N9ne's song, "Shit Is Real", the rapper depicts his need for escapism through partying, drinking, and chasing women. He talks about how he needs to break the monotony of his life and get away from his daily worries. He uses partying as a way to celebrate life and to numb his mistakes. The lyrics suggest that partying is a coping mechanism for people who are feeling pain and trying to forget their problems. Tech N9ne also touches on the issue of poverty and how people with low-paying jobs resort to partying to escape their harsh realities. He emphasizes that life is tough, but it's important to enjoy the moment and take advantage of every opportunity as they come.
The song's chorus, "Shit is real", appears about 20 times, indicating that life is not easy, and one needs to find their own way to cope with it. The repetitive use of the phrase 'all night, all day' implies that Tech N9ne is trying to party non-stop and forget his problems altogether. He also talks about the significance of money and how it dictates his ability to party, and his desire to party in Las Vegas at the Venetian.
Overall, the song "Shit Is Real" conveys the idea that life can be overwhelming and difficult, but partying provides an escape. Through the use of vivid language and lyrics, Tech N9ne encourages listeners to enjoy life despite the difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Friday night and I
It is the start of the weekend and I am getting my paycheck.
Got my check man I
I have received my paycheck.
Damn I really need a (Party)
I am eager to attend a party.
So when the weekend come
As soon as the weekend arrives.
I'm tryin' to get beef then some (All night all day)
I want to have fun all weekend long.
Tryin' to break the monotony
Looking to break the boring routine.
Get away from my property
I want to leave my place for a while.
Ain't no way that you stoppin' me
Nobody is keeping me from the party.
At a party I got to be
I have to attend the party.
But the (?tech?) was a shock to me
But the DJ's choice of music was unexpected.
That will let my velocity slow
That slows down my momentum.
Wanna party with me let me know
If you want to party with me, you should tell me.
We party cause we in pain
We party to relieve our emotional pain.
We party to celebrate
We party to celebrate our life and existence.
To keep from goin' insane
To keep our minds stable and prevent mental breakdowns.
We party just to escape
We party to forget our problems, even if temporarily.
No matter how much the cost
Regardless of how much it costs us (monetarily and emotionally).
Regardless of what it takes
No matter what efforts it requires us to make.
You call my phone and it's off
If you try to call me, my phone is not reachable.
I'm tryin' to numb the mistakes
I am attempting to forget my past mistakes.
But if you feel like you chill put yo cups up
If you're feeling relaxed, raise your cups.
But if you ill about yo bills and it's just touch
If you're worried about your expenses, be careful not to overspend.
Take a drink but don't spill
Drink, but be careful not to spill your drink.
This ain't no time to be still
This is not the time to remain seated and silent.
Fuck the world, what you know, and realize shit is real
Do not worry about anything else and understand that the current situation is genuine.
[Chorus:]
Shit is real (about 20 times)
The reality of the situation is emphasized in the chorus - Shit Is Real is repeated about 20 times.
Saturday night and I
After Friday, it is Saturday night.
Still got some check man I
Even though I have received my paycheck earlier.
Now that the weekend's here
Since the weekend is officially here.
It's time for the cheefin' and beer (All night all day)
It's time to smoke and drink all weekend long.
Whether you puff or you're drinkin'
Whether you smoke or drink alcohol.
When life is tough we go seekin'
When our lives are difficult, we look for ways to escape it.
Somethin' to thrust or go deep in
Seeking something to entertain us to the last moment.
Work is rough with no freakin'
Working life is tough with no time for fun.
So we lustfully speakin'
Speaking and recounting stories of our desires and wishes.
Girl, yo what's up for the weekend?
Hey, what are your party plans for the weekend, girl?
Plan a trip to Las Vegas
Proposing going to party in Las Vegas.
A room at the Venetian
Reserving a room at The Venetian, a luxurious hotel in Las Vegas.
Let's go
Let's party now!
If you're found or you're lost
Whether you're lost or found in life.
Hey baby these are the breaks
It's destiny, can't be altered.
But if you good it's understood that you prosperous
If you're doing well, it means that you're thriving.
We from the hood and drinkin 'good means a lot to us
Coming from a low-income background, even drinking good quality wine means a lot to us.
Put away yo knife and yo steel
Put away your weapons and let's have fun.
Have some fun and you'll feel
If you have some fun, it'll lift your mood.
Like a shield has been lifted
It'll make you feel like the burden has been lifted.
Yet and still shit is real
Although it's refreshing, realize that the situation is real.
[Chorus:]
The chorus repeats the statement that the situation is real.
Sunday night and I
Sunday night has arrived.
Blew my check man I
I overspent and used up all my paycheck.
(damn)damn I really wanna (Party)
I still want to party, even though I have spent all my money.
Now that the weekend's done
Since the weekend is over and the work week is set to begin.
I'm tryin' to sleep in some(All night all day)
I want to make the most of the remaining weekend and sleep in late.
Hey yo this song's for the strong
This song is dedicated to those who have been through tough times.
Not for the backboneless
Not for those who are not strong-willed.
Workers who don't make enough for they own
People who work hard but still do not make enough money to support themselves.
But give to the homeless atonement
But they still have compassion and give to the homeless to make amends for their past.
For the wrong that has grown
For the mistakes they have made in the past that have had consequences.
Strong for the long
They have remained mentally and emotionally strong in the long-run.
Spent time for dimes
They have sacrificed time for minimal rewards.
You better take advantage of this moment
You need to make the most of the current situation.
Yo
An informal way to call for attention.
Never put your trust in the state
It is unwise to fully rely on the government.
They not controllin' yo fate
They are not responsible for your destiny.
But if you made it then I'll say you did yo thang today
If you have achieved what you wanted, then good job.
But if you lost it then I'll say party yo pain away
If you have failed, then party hard to forget the pain.
Do your job or your ??
Do your job or suffer the consequences.
Don't lose control of the will
Don't lose your mental and emotional hold.
It's Sunday night but on Monday realize shit is real
Although it is Sunday night and the party is over, on Monday reality sets in again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Logan Foumal
Brings me back to being 17 when this album dropped.... Good people and little care about anything but having fun. Miss those days!
Justin Smith
Now that the weekend is here, it's time for the cheefin and beer!
John Doe
Got a 40 hour week worth of trouble to drown. Turn up
Billy Jean King FX
Tech Fan Since 2006 and still there on these Classics ;)
How this song is put together is just special. Those Tech years to me was his bests because the Beats at this time man wooooow almost all Bangerz !!!! :)
Joe Torres
I really hope he does a FULL Rock/Metal album in the near future! :)
Reformation * Inc.
They said when that happens, it's the final album
C. Kennedy
We from the hood and drinking good means a lot to us- favorite line!
TEFLON BEATS
just getting showed this now. was a big fan of tech in the 2014's but just getting the throwback now
Doggo's House
Hey. Better late than never
Jason Romero
2020 u know what it is! It's Still Shit Is Real!