Aaron Dontez Yates (born November 8, 1971 in Kansas City, Missouri), better… Read Full Bio ↴Aaron Dontez Yates (born November 8, 1971 in Kansas City, Missouri), better known by his stage name Tech N9ne or Tecca Nina is an American rapper, co-owner of Strange Music Records and actor. His career has spanned over 24 years, during which he has released eleven albums. According to the He's a Mental Giant Songfacts, his stage name originated from the TEC-9 semi-automatic handgun, given to him by rapper Black Walt due to his fast rhyming style. (Tech is short for technique and 9 is the number of completion. That's why he says the technique's complete so often.)

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/

Sho Nuff
Tech N9ne Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hella faded
You wonder why everything so celebrated
And all of our team's dreams shot down
But made it to the top now
Out of Hell and above hard ground
We spreading our wings
All of my team make the Planet Rock, don't stop now

Was supposed to be a ghost
Now when we party I'm the host
We made it through the rain to the fame so I wanna make a toast
"I'd like to thank everybody that showed up
Now we 'bout to get poured up
'Cause we made it through the days it so rough
So is everybody with me?
Sho Nuff!"

I been at the bottom where they fought and then they shot 'em
Was a problem Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn
Gotta pray to god is what they taught 'em
Havin' not is what they got so you right up in the column
Unless you got the will to go and get it
Unless you find a lick go and hit it
I didn't bitch I didn't march and pick it
I just kick 'em something wicked and then it turned into a ticket
Went from fights in schools
To partying on stage where the hip-hop junky is nice and smooth
When in back in the day that Quincy J gave me a brightened view
Told me rap what you know, took his advice then grew
Sick mother with no father
But still I made it as a scholar
But now I gotta pop a collar, 'cause I started deep in squalor
Then I made some million dollars
I'd like to thank everybody that showed up
Now we 'bout to get poured up
'Cause we made it through the days it was so rough
So is everybody with me?
Sho Nuff!

Even though we had a lot of nothing were we poor?
Sho Nuff!
Did we find a better way of living through this flow?
Sho Nuff!
Coming up feeling good right now
Lot of love in the hood right now
Tell me something if you ain't a hater, do we go?
Sho Nuff!

I remember rubber sole footies on my feet
In the dead of winter, freezing cold walking in the streets
Off to 7-Eleven, only had enough to eat
A bag of Doritos with the chili and cheese inside em, it was cheap
Momma in the hospital, 17 I got little
Copped vitals, pushing the bricks, scrubbing off the hot griddle
Too much struggle to tell y'all
But it ain't so much that I quit and stop making my mil' tall
Ah hell nah!
Made it through the rainy day
Never liked the devil and the games he play
Even though we in a gang we pray
Yeah we broke the chains and the money and the fame we slay
Used to be a man with no hoe
Now to all my many fans I'm a goat
My struggle was a blast in the past
Now I'm gonna lift my glass cause I wanna make a toast
"I'd like to thank everybody that showed up
Now we 'bout to get poured up
'Cause we made it through the days it so rough
So is everybody with me?
Sho Nuff!"

Even though we had a lot of nothing were we poor?
Sho Nuff!
Did we find a better way of living through this flow?
Sho Nuff!
Coming up feeling good right now
Lot of love in the hood right now
Tell me something if you ain't a hater, do we go?
Sho Nuff!
Even though we had a lot of nothing were we poor?
Sho Nuff!
Did we find a better way of living through this flow?
Sho Nuff!
Coming up feeling good right now
Lot of love in the hood right now

Tell me something if you ain't a hater, do we go?
Sho Nuff!

Overall Meaning

The song is a reflection on the journey of Tech N9ne and his success despite facing hardship and poverty. He talks about his rise from the bottom to the top and how his dreams were initially shot down, but through persistence and faith, he made it to the top. The song also highlights his gratitude towards his fans and how he wants to celebrate together with them.

Tech N9ne begins the song by referencing being "hella faded," which could refer to being intoxicated or under the influence of substances. He then goes on to reflect on his past where he was poor and struggling, with his dreams being shot down. However, despite those struggles, he and his team made it to the top and are now successful. He acknowledges the importance of having faith and persistence, as well as being grateful for the support of his fans.

Throughout the song, Tech N9ne also references the importance of not giving up and continuing to strive towards success. He highlights his personal struggles, such as his mother being in the hospital and trying to make a living by selling drugs. However, he overcame those struggles and is now successful. The chorus of the song repeatedly asks if they are poor or if they have found a better way of living through their music, to which they answer, "Sho Nuff," affirming their success.

Overall, the song is a celebration of Tech N9ne's journey and success while acknowledging the struggles and hardships he faced along the way.

Line by Line Meaning

Hella faded
Drunk or high on drugs

You wonder why everything so celebrated
Questioning why their team has achieved success and receiving attention

And all of our team's dreams shot down
At some point, their team's aspirations faced significant obstacles

But made it to the top now
Despite the struggles faced, they ultimately achieved success

Out of Hell and above hard ground
Moved beyond difficult circumstances to achieve success

We spreading our wings
Expanding and reaching new heights

All of my team make the Planet Rock, don't stop now
Encouraging their team to continue striving for greatness

Was supposed to be a ghost
Expected to fade into obscurity, but defied expectations

Now when we party I'm the host
Now a successful person, and the life of the party

We made it through the rain to the fame so I wanna make a toast
Celebrating success after overcoming hardships

"I'd like to thank everybody that showed up
Grateful for the support of those who helped them succeed

Now we 'bout to get poured up
Preparing to party and celebrate

'Cause we made it through the days it so rough
Acknowledging the difficulties faced, but happy to have overcome them

So is everybody with me?
Asking if everyone is ready to celebrate and enjoy the moment together

Sho Nuff!
Affirmative statement that everyone is on board and ready to party

I been at the bottom where they fought and then they shot 'em
Experienced violence and poverty in rough neighborhoods

Was a problem Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn
Lived a difficult life year-round

Gotta pray to god is what they taught 'em
Taught to turn to God for help and guidance

Havin' not is what they got so you right up in the column
Being poor is the norm and being rich is unusual

Unless you got the will to go and get it
Highlighting the importance of motivation and drive

Unless you find a lick go and hit it
Encouraging people to seize opportunities when they arise

I didn't bitch I didn't march and pick it
Didn't complain or demand things to be handed to them, but went out and earned them

I just kick 'em something wicked and then it turned into a ticket
Used his talent in rapping to create opportunities and success

Went from fights in schools
Experienced violence and conflict in school

To partying on stage where the hip-hop junky is nice and smooth
Transitioned from a violent environment to a successful music career

When in back in the day that Quincy J gave me a brightened view
Someone named Quincy gave the artist advice that motivated and helped to shape his career

Told me rap what you know, took his advice then grew
Suggested that the artist writes about personal experiences, which helped him succeed and grow as a rapper

Sick mother with no father
Growing up with a sick mother and absent father

But still I made it as a scholar
Despite adversity, earned success and achieved an education

But now I gotta pop a collar, 'cause I started deep in squalor
Celebrating success and enjoying a lavish lifestyle after coming from poverty

Then I made some million dollars
Earned a significant amount of money through their success

Even though we had a lot of nothing were we poor?
Reflecting on past poverty and questioning if it is still relevant

Did we find a better way of living through this flow?
Wondering if their music has helped them achieve a better lifestyle

Coming up feeling good right now
Currently experiencing a sense of joy and success

Lot of love in the hood right now
Feeling appreciated and supported by their community

Tell me something if you ain't a hater, do we go?
Asking for affirmation and approval from non-hateful people

Even though we had a lot of nothing were we poor?
Reflecting on past poverty and questioning if it is still relevant

Did we find a better way of living through this flow?
Wondering if their music has helped them achieve a better lifestyle

Coming up feeling good right now
Currently experiencing a sense of joy and success

Lot of love in the hood right now
Feeling appreciated and supported by their community

Tell me something if you ain't a hater, do we go?
Asking for affirmation and approval from non-hateful people

Sho Nuff!
Affirmative statement that everyone is on board and ready to party

I remember rubber sole footies on my feet
Recalling childhood poverty and wearing cheap shoes

In the dead of winter, freezing cold walking in the streets
Painting a picture of the difficulties they faced in cold weather

Off to 7-Eleven, only had enough to eat
Going to a convenience store and only having enough money for a cheap snack

A bag of Doritos with the chili and cheese inside em, it was cheap
Detailing the type of snack they could afford

Momma in the hospital, 17 I got little
Mother was sick and needing medical attention when the artist was young and had little in terms of resources

Copped vitals, pushing the bricks, scrubbing off the hot griddle
Working hard to earn money and make a living

Too much struggle to tell y'all
Having gone through too many difficulties to recount them all

But it ain't so much that I quit and stop making my mil' tall
Despite the struggles, persevered and earned a significant amount of money

Ah hell nah!
Expression of refusal or objection to something

Made it through the rainy day
Achieving success after overcoming obstacles and adversity

Never liked the devil and the games he play
Rejecting negative influences or immoral actions

Even though we in a gang we pray
Despite being part of a gang, still maintaining connection to spirituality and faith

Yeah we broke the chains and the money and the fame we slay
Breaking free from past struggles and succeeding in terms of wealth and celebrity

Used to be a man with no hoe
Having once been without romantic partners

Now to all my many fans I'm a goat
Having a large fanbase and being an influential figure in music

My struggle was a blast in the past
Viewing past struggles as a thing of the past

Now I'm gonna lift my glass cause I wanna make a toast
Celebrating success and feeling grateful for it

"I'd like to thank everybody that showed up
Grateful for the support of those who helped them succeed

Now we 'bout to get poured up
Preparing to party and celebrate

'Cause we made it through the days it was so rough
Acknowledging the difficulties faced, but happy to have overcome them