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/
This Is Me )
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hahahaha, in the world of BET
I'm just too better than rock and roll huh
In the world of MTV
My name is too gangsta huh, hahaha
Man, Stragne Music we got this baby
This year we got this one baby
Red hair, red everything
[Verse 1: Tech N9ne]
Never been a harder rhymer in my region globaly that's holdin' me I'm totaly hard and bossed up
Why you think the majority of the rap musical authority sword me and balled and crossed 'em
Cause they don't wanna let the crazy kid in then
Spit his hiems speakin' a grim religion
Of rhyme, forbiddin my hisems are hidden
My mind, to written then spittin' the kid in
The N9ne, is playin' you, slayin' you, sprayin' you, perminitly delayin' you, swayin' through
It's the gay in you that's hatin' who somethin' that hella beyond that does
(I love Kanye, his shit is bombay, but I'm rough)
And you can see it in my retina
That I won't be lettin' ya
Threatinas better respect Tech the messengas
Too dope on this to be
History listen this is a mystery
While they spittin' and dissin' me
[Hook: Tech N9ne & Big Krizz Kalico]
This is me (this is me)
I'm a king, I'm a klown, I'm a G (I'm a G)
I believe what I want
Got you singin' my song
But your seein' me wrong
So what's a matter with me?
This is the belief (the belief)
The religion has arisin' from the deep (from the deep)
Darkest prison if you listen you will see (you will see)
If colision your decision you will reep what you so forget what you know this is me
[Verse 2: Tech N9ne]
This is Tech bra
For years I've been the next to collect a plethra of checks lets get extra
Is what I set ta
Travis let's go select the baddest rappers infect the planet leave 'em in exta
See I'm a vet the powers don't really wanna let the best
Come and wreck the sets and test your sector
Instead of rawness like Inspecta Deckta
Eldest rather set they specs on Mason Betha
Slept on my records
If you knew my musics hanibal lecta
What the hell you callin' for Masta Flex for?
Don't pester me I won't sweet you be on a quest to
Investagate your techma respect the
Shockra tease in hop to these
Hot degress me and Mr. O ahpotraphe
Never listen to these popasees cause they suck!
(I love 50 Cent he gritty went he vent but I'm rough)
And you can see it in my demeanor
The Tecca Nina will blast arenas
The grass is greana
Made it ma to the top of the world
Kiss me, miss me (This Is Me)
Can't you see?
[Hook]
[Verse 3: Tech N9ne]
The industry treat me like a ride on the short bus
That's why I'm tellin' they youngstas when your retourt cuss
And make a fort fuss
Cause you went out on Sam Goody on F.Y.E. with they money and you support us
Strangas, Shadys, Psychopaths and Juggalos
Loseas, Shootas, College women and gutta hoes
Rock it from prescios doe
Drops it just lets it flow
Cop it don't knock it you block us stop at the record store
This is Aaron Yates thizlely in rain
This is for little Donnie this is for all ?? pain
This is, for the sickness of Marty Sue
This is for all the ?? Lou
This is for Ike and Ricky
?? Rhonda, Barbra, and Marla really
This is for be'zle and I know that rest of my family is with me
This is my friends, this is the end, this is a G
This is life, this is worng, this right, this is me
[Hook - 2X]
In the song "This Is Me," Tech N9ne is making a statement that he is not conforming to what is expected of him by the music industry. He declares that he is not just a rapper, but a king, a clown, and a gangsta, and that he believes what he wants. Tech N9ne also references how he is not accepted by the majority of the rap industry, but he will not let that stop him from creating and releasing his music. He further demonstrates his lyrical prowess, letting it be known that his rhyming skills are hard and bossed up. He believes that history will remember him as a mystery while his detractors are still dissing his work.
The hook of the song emphasizes the idea that Tech N9ne will be himself and nothing else. He is not here to fit into anyone's expectations, as he is his own unique individual, and he will continue to make the music that he believes in. Tech N9ne speaks to his fans and a wider audience, pointing out that he is not just making music for one group, but for everyone. He emphasizes that this is his life, he knows what is right and wrong for him, and he is living according to his own beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Hahahaha, in the world of BET
I find it amusing that in the world of Black Entertainment Television, I stand out as too talented for rock and roll.
My name is too gangsta huh, hahaha
In the world of MTV, they find my name too gangster, and that's also amusing.
Never been a harder rhymer in my region globally that's holding me I'm totally hard and bossed up
I am one of the toughest rappers in my region, both locally and globally. And that's why nobody wants to cross me or mess with me.
Cause they don't wanna let the crazy kid in then
The rap establishment doesn't want to let me in because I'm a crazy kid with wild ideas that aren't always mainstream.
The N9ne, is playin' you, slayin' you, sprayin' you, permanently delaying' you, swayin' through
Tech N9ne is turning the tables on the naysayers and lashing out with his rhymes, leaving them speechless and swaying to his beats.
It's the gay in you that's hatin' who somethin' that hella beyond that does
Anyone who hates on Tech N9ne is just revealing their own inner homophobia or insecurities, they cannot understand or appreciate the artistry behind his work.
And you can see it in my retina, That I won't be lettin' ya
I am focused and determined, and my eyes convey my steely resolve to never back down or give up.
If collision your decision you will reap what you sow, forget what you know this is me
If you choose to challenge Tech N9ne, you will experience the consequences of your actions, what you think you know about him is just the tip of the iceberg, and he will prove you wrong time and time again.
This is Tech bra, For years I've been the next to collect a plethora of checks let's get extra
This is Tech N9ne, and for years he has been earning a lot of money and accolades for his innovative style and unique approach to rap music.
See I'm a vet the powers don't really wanna let the best
Tech N9ne is a veteran of the rap game, and the powers that be don't want to acknowledge his brilliance or let him take the reins of the industry.
Eldest rather set they specs on Mason Betha
Rather than recognize Tech N9ne as the best, many critics and industry insiders would rather focus on Mason Betha, an artist who has not been as successful or influential as Tech N9ne.
Never listen to these popasees cause they suck!
Tech N9ne refuses to pay attention to pop artists who don't have the skills or talent to compete in the rap world.
The Tecca Nina will blast arenas, The grass is greana, Made it ma to the top of the world
Tech N9ne is proud of his success and the fact that he has been able to fill up arenas and dominate the rap world, achieving the kind of success that many artists can only dream of.
Loseas, Shootas, College women and gutta hoes, Rock it from prescios doe, Drops it just lets it flow
Tech N9ne's fans come from all walks of life, including those who are struggling, those who live dangerous lives, and even college-educated women. They all appreciate Tech N9ne's music and the way he effortlessly flows on the beat.
This is Aaron Yates thizlely in rain, This is for little Donnie this is for all ?? pain, This is, for the sickness of Marty Sue, This is for all the ?? Lou
Tech N9ne dedicates his music to different people in his life, whether it's his real name, his son, or someone who is suffering from an illness. He also pays tribute to his family and friends.
This is life, this is wrong, this right, this is me
Tech N9ne is reminding everyone that he is who he is, he doesn't apologize for it, and he will continue to be himself no matter what anyone thinks or says about him.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID FRANK, DAVID MARTIN FRANK, STEPHEN KIPNER, STEPHEN ALAN KIPNER, PAMELA SHEYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind