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/
Strange 2013
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I been a nobody, but now I get it in)
Strange days have tracked us down
(Nowhere to run, what I did is keep it wicked real and never to pretend)
They're going to destroy
(Everything in my path I'mma gas, I'mma spit it to the end)
Our casual joys
(I'mma take away your everything, I'mma merk it a bit when I begin)
Or find a new town
Yeah!
In the beginning it was negative
Wasn't nobody checkin' or steppin' to this heavenly sick brethren, it's
Tech's veteran, better than clever man
You're gonna be off of your rocker when the chakra's on chopper, it's
Kinda funny having no money coming up
The number-one independent rapper, people running up
When the fact I'mma sum it up, way way back I was run amuck,
Now I'm beastin' the nation, cheese generatin'
Now everybody know where the flame spray, fame pays, maintains brain crazed
Leaving them all leaking in pain
Hey gang, wait
Get ready for Strange Days
Strange days have found us
(I been a nobody, but now I get it in)
Strange days have tracked us down
(Nowhere to run, what I did is keep it wicked real and never to pretend)
They're going to destroy
(Everything in my path I'mma gas, I'mma spit it to the end)
Our casual joys
(I'mma take away your everything, I'mma merk it a bit when I begin)
We shall go on playing
Or find a new town
Yeah!
I told them I was gonna ball for y'all
Did it all, they didn't wanna get involved at all, yeah
They said that I was gonna fall, but now I'm walking tall
They all saw wicked raw a stud yeah
Everybody will applaud the odd lyrical god
The fraud better kneel before Zod, yeah
Never ever will I dissolve, I'm a hog in the dark
So when they call, I'mma maul and claw, yeah
Wanna hate me, industry gotta face me
They be shaky, ladies say we may be the crazies
They hella Gacy, John Wayne the case be
The industry face off too sweet like pastry
Look at all these mentions
Look at all this uber attention
Remember everyone saying I wasn't gonna make it, but the Tecca Nina kept on inchin'
This ain't no dang phase
Never will my reign fade
On the come up and a one up
Man, it feels good to finally see Strange praised
Strange days have found us
(This is the trip)
And through their strange hours
We linger alone
(The best part I, really really like)
Bodies confused
(6, 7, Tech N9ne!)
Memories misused
(Fredwreck, Thank you brother!)
As we run from the day
To a strange night of stone
The lyrics to Tech N9ne's song "Strange 2013" are a confident celebration of his success and a reflection on his rise to fame. The verse speaks of his beginnings, where he was "negative" and "nobody" but now has made it big as the "number-one independent rapper." The chorus speaks of "strange days" that have "found us" and "tracked us down," but despite the challenges that come with fame, Tech N9ne is determined to keep it real and continue on his creative path. He speaks of his drive to succeed by taking "away your everything," and "beast[ing] the nation, cheese generatin'." The ending of the chorus offers two options: to continue playing, or to find a new town, suggesting that even with success, there are still challenges ahead.
The second verse continues the theme of Tech N9ne's rise to fame and confidence in his artistry. He speaks of his early struggles, where he was "run amuck" and had "no money coming up," but now is "walking tall" and receives the praise he deserves. He is aware of the naysayers and the industry's tendency to be "shaky," but this doesn't faze him. He remains steadfast, even if the industry has to face him, stating, "Never ever will I dissolve, I'm a hog in the dark / So when they call, I'mma maul and claw, yeah." He also speaks of the attention he's received and how good it feels to see Strange praised.
Overall, the lyrics to "Strange 2013" are a reflection on Tech N9ne's journey to success and his confidence in his ability to overcome the challenges that come with it. The song offers a message of perseverance and determination to keep going, even in the face of "strange days."
Line by Line Meaning
Strange days have found us
I used to be a nobody until I made it big, but now things are different and my rise to fame has been strange and unexpected
Strange days have tracked us down
There is no escaping the changes that have come with my newfound success, even if they are unsettling and strange
They're going to destroy
As I move forward, I will leave destruction in my path, taking away what was once casual joy for others
Our casual joys
Everything I encounter on my path to success will become a target to be taken away, and I will not stop until I reach the end
We shall go on playing
Despite the changes and destruction, I will continue to move forward
Or find a new town
If things get too difficult to handle, I will move on to new ventures and opportunities
And through their strange hours
As I experience these strange times, I find myself isolated and alone
Bodies confused
As my success grows, I have become a confusing figure to others, leaving them unsure of what to make of me
Memories misused
My past struggles and hardships are often overlooked or disregarded as I continue to rise in fame and success
As we run from the day
In my pursuit of success, I find myself running from the realities of everyday life
To a strange night of stone
Instead, I embrace the strange and surreal experience of being a successful artist, even though it can be cold and unfeeling at times
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Aaron Dontez Yates, Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Robby Krieger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind