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/
The Long Way
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mama told me get it and I did
Make a beautiful livin' for my kids
Man, I'm really in love with my gig
Wasn't always known I couldn't take the throne
Until I raced for home and I slid
For my labels flown where I lived
But the Yates was growin' in my biz
It was Payless shoes and holy socks
Then I started to earn G-knots
Screamin' F-T-I on TV spots
Livin' the lovely life we chose
Still I'm livin' it by street codes
Pain and poverty put these flows in Beast Mode
Here we go
The road to my success from here was not a block away
On the coast they told me I'ma part with Travis, not today
We just wanted what's hot to play
But they gave me no slot to slay
Even though I'm not Lecrae, every day Tecca Nina would drop to pray
On my knees in a cot
There was multiple beds in my spot
So let the champagne pop
Everybody feelin' my gang, gang lots
Took a lot of hard work to get guap
When you comin' from a scarred turf, could be stopped
From the hurtful dirt to the top
Yeah we gonna celebrate today cause we got
Let the song play (we got it)
'Cause we done came a long way (we got it)
They know we get that grown pay (we got it)
Now they mess with me the long way (we got it)
The long way
Let the song play (we got it)
'Cause we done came a long way (we got it)
They know we get that grown pay (we got it)
Now they mess with me the long way (we got it)
The long way
Too big and too ugly, would you ever love me?
Every city we visit, we get it, but people they look at us funny
I feel like I'm way too fat, but what I'm packin' is making them kitties get after 'em
They hearing me flippin' and rip the back up out the track, then they trackin' a pack of 'em
Applause, applause, now we sell it enough to get our house and our cars up
Gotta get them bars up to be part of the upper echelon and hit the stars up
And we did it (okay)
Me and Nina stay committed to our art, we always doin' our part
We get it (okay)
And we knew we gettin' the cheese or we siezin' our G's up, Jesus
Only breaking from making 'em rock
The pushin' manuever been making the block
Indusin', I'm cool when I'm oozin'
I'm cruisin' the planet, they think I'm faking a lot
I gotta get to the money, gotta get to the money, and they think I'm making a lot
I'm keepin' a millimeter pilly under the tummy for dummies, if they wanna plot
New money, I ain't trying to save
'Cause I just made it
Look at my royalty state
Thank God for the ones who gave it
Lots of props for the ones who made it (okay)
'Cause this road ain't paved
Sippin' till I'm elevated
We made it, so we gon'
Let the song play (we got it)
'Cause we done came a long way (we got it)
They know we get that grown pay (we got it)
Now they mess with me the long way (we got it)
The long way
Let the song play (we got it)
'Cause we done came a long way (we got it)
They know we get that grown pay (we got it)
Now they mess with me the long way (we got it)
The long way
Yeah, we started this Strange Music in Trav's basement
Now we gonna have our fifth Strange building because we had patience
And I got all these mass payments with a mad cadence
Kill it when I rip it up, I'm makin' 'em listen, not pickin' me up, and I never have a cash craving
We appreciate this, so we create hits
See me lay this, inebriated
And we be faded, indeed we stay lit
From the oddest, to people listen, and look at me Godish
Not a time for Nina to be modest
People celebrate with me 'cause we got it
Let the song play (we got it)
'Cause we done came a long way (we got it)
They know we get that grown pay (we got it)
Now they mess with me the long way (we got it)
The long way
Let the song play (we got it)
'Cause we done came a long way (we got it)
They know we get that grown pay (we got it)
Now they mess with me the long way (we got it)
The long way
In the song "The Long Way" by Tech N9ne, the lyrics touch upon his journey to success and the obstacles he faced along the way. He starts by reflecting on his humble beginnings, growing up with limited resources and financial struggles. Despite these challenges, he remained determined to make a better life for himself and his family, embracing his passion for music. Tech N9ne mentions his early days of making music when he couldn't afford expensive shoes and had to wear Payless shoes and holy socks. But as his career progressed, he started to earn money and gain recognition, with TV spots and a comfortable lifestyle. However, he acknowledges that his success is rooted in pain and poverty, which fueled his creativity and drive. Despite the hardships, he persevered and built a successful career, remaining true to his street codes.
The lyrics also highlight the resilience and perseverance required to achieve success in the music industry. Tech N9ne talks about facing rejection and being overlooked by mainstream artists and radio stations. He references an instance where he was denied a spot to perform, comparing it to Christian rapper Lecrae's experience. Despite these setbacks, Tech N9ne remained committed to his craft, consistently praying and putting in the work. Eventually, his talent and hard work paid off, leading him to achieve success and gain the recognition he deserved. He celebrates his accomplishments, expressing gratitude for the support of his fans and the opportunities that came his way.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama told me get it and I did
My mother encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and I followed her advice successfully.
Make a beautiful livin' for my kids
I worked hard to provide a prosperous life for my children.
Man, I'm really in love with my gig
I have a genuine passion for my career and enjoy every moment of it.
Wasn't always known I couldn't take the throne
Until I raced for home and I slid
At first, I wasn't recognized as someone who could achieve greatness, but I proved them wrong by giving my all and succeeding.
For my labels flown where I lived
But the Yates was growin' in my biz
Although I had significant success and recognition in my hometown, I faced challenges and obstacles in the music industry.
And I couldn't even afford Reebok's
It was Payless shoes and holy socks
I couldn't afford expensive shoes and had to settle for affordable options like Payless shoes and socks with holes.
Then I started to earn G-knots
Screamin' F-T-I on TV spots
Eventually, I started making substantial amounts of money and gained recognition, proudly representing my label FTI (From The Industry) on television advertising.
Livin' the lovely life we chose
Still I'm livin' it by street codes
While enjoying the benefits of the successful life I chose, I continue to uphold the principles and values of the streets.
Pain and poverty put these flows in Beast Mode
The experiences of pain and poverty fueled my creative inspiration and allowed me to express myself in an intense and powerful manner.
The road to my success from here was not a block away
On the coast they told me I'ma part with Travis, not today
The journey to achieve further success was not easy, as I faced resistance and skepticism from influential individuals in the industry.
We just wanted what's hot to play
But they gave me no slot to slay
We simply wanted our music to receive airplay and be recognized as popular, but we were denied the opportunity to showcase our skills and talent.
Even though I'm not Lecrae, every day Tecca Nina would drop to pray
Despite not having the same recognition as other artists like Lecrae, I remained committed to my faith and prayed daily for strength and guidance.
On my knees in a cot
There was multiple beds in my spot
I found solace in prayer, often kneeling in a small bed in my humble living space that had multiple beds.
So let the champagne pop
Everybody feelin' my gang, gang lots
Now, it's time to celebrate and enjoy the success that comes with my music. Everyone is showing love and support.
Took a lot of hard work to get guap
When you comin' from a scarred turf, could be stopped
I had to put in a tremendous amount of effort to earn money. Coming from a rough and challenging environment made it easy for others to prevent my progress.
From the hurtful dirt to the top
Yeah we gonna celebrate today cause we got
Despite the hardships and struggles I faced, we will celebrate today because we have achieved success.
Too big and too ugly, would you ever love me?
Every city we visit, we get it, but people they look at us funny
I often questioned whether people could love me due to my size and appearance. Despite our success in every city we visit, some still judge us unfairly.
I feel like I'm way too fat, but what I'm packin' is making them kitties get after 'em
Although I may have insecurities about my weight, my talent and charisma attract and captivate women.
They hearing me flippin' and rip the back up out the track, then they trackin' a pack of 'em
When people hear me rap and deliver my verses with precision, they become fans and eagerly follow my every move.
Applause, applause, now we sell it enough to get our house and our cars up
Gotta get them bars up to be part of the upper echelon and hit the stars up
The constant applause and support from fans now enable me to afford a comfortable lifestyle. However, I must continue to raise the quality of my lyrics to reach an elite level of success and collaborate with other top artists.
And we did it (okay)
Me and Nina stay committed to our art, we always doin' our part
Me and my alter ego, Nina, remain dedicated to our craft and consistently contribute our best efforts to create impactful music.
And we knew we gettin' the cheese or we siezin' our G's up, Jesus
Only breaking from making 'em rock
We were confident in our ability to earn money and achieve success, or else we would aggressively take what we deserve. Despite the financial gains, we never deviate from our commitment to making great music.
The pushin' manuever been making the block
Indusin', I'm cool when I'm oozin'
I'm cruisin' the planet, they think I'm faking a lot
The strategic moves I make have influenced the music industry. Despite the challenges, I remain composed and confident. I navigate through various territories effortlessly, even though some people doubt my authenticity.
I gotta get to the money, gotta get to the money, and they think I'm making a lot
I'm keepin' a millimeter pilly under the tummy for dummies, if they wanna plot
I am determined to continuously earn money, even though others believe I am already financially secure. I am always prepared for any potential threats or plots against me.
New money, I ain't trying to save
'Cause I just made it
Look at my royalty state
Thank God for the ones who gave it
I have recently acquired wealth, and I have no intention of saving it. I proudly display my prosperity and thank those who have supported and contributed to my success.
Lots of props for the ones who made it (okay)
'Cause this road ain't paved
I show great respect and admiration for those who have achieved success in the industry because the path to success is not easy.
Sippin' till I'm elevated
We made it, so we gon'
I indulge in celebration and relaxation to reach a higher level of happiness. We have achieved our goals, so we will continue to move forward.
Yeah, we started this Strange Music in Trav's basement
Now we gonna have our fifth Strange building because we had patience
We began our independent record label, Strange Music, in Travis's basement. We have now expanded to the point where we will have our fifth building, an achievement that required patience and perseverance.
And I got all these mass payments with a mad cadence
Kill it when I rip it up, I'm makin' 'em listen, not pickin' me up, and I never have a cash craving
I receive numerous large payments for my music, thanks to my impressive and energetic delivery. I captivate listeners, ensuring they pay attention to my lyrics rather than underestimating my talent. I am content with my financial situation.
We appreciate this, so we create hits
See me lay this, inebriated
And we be faded, indeed we stay lit
We are grateful for our success and continue to produce hit songs. You can observe my skill in delivering my verses, often enjoying the creative process while under the influence. We maintain our high spirits and stay vibrant.
From the oddest, to people listen, and look at me Godish
Not a time for Nina to be modest
People celebrate with me 'cause we got it
Even those considered unusual or unconventional pay attention to my music and regard me with reverence. In times like these, my alter ego, Nina, shouldn't be modest. People join in the celebration because we have achieved great success.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
Written by: Aaron Yates, Samuel Watson, Omar Walker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind