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/
What If It Was Me
Tech N9ne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Winners are not people who never fail
But people who never quit
All I ever wanted was to sell
Records to the people make a lot of mil', yessir
Rap to me, it was the holy grail
I'm gonna go and do it, I'm never gonna fail
Yeah, but first I gotta make it out of Hell
Wake up and I see crime
All of us we on it's eat time
My homies love me yelling "Peace N9ne"
At the same time, throwing B signs
Throwing 'em back and repping the street, I'm
Doing music and I'm writing beast rhymes
But my V-Slimes, had no weak minds
Got with the music, started a group and we shine
Music gave us hella hope
Made it up out of the bangin' and sellin' dope
We were stronger than a bottle of Yoke
'Till one of our members found a kid to grope
Then your honor gave the peddy the rope
Losing a man, the band began to slope
Never did think a plan was damned to croak
So doing it solo-dolo stands the G.O.A.T
Started making hella LP's
2000, all the way to five, felt free
Because of the hand the label dealt me
But in '06 Fontana helped us melt cheese
Number one independent gonna be spending a ton of funds, in a minute
That's when the government want the sums, then I send it
In a couple of months I'm done and replenished
Everywhere I go, I'm selling out the show
Around the world I kill 'em and everybody know
Whenever we hit the studio and Tecca Nina drop, hot
Even though I will go toe to toe if somebody bang on me
But I'm rolling in the dough and I'm really respected and protected
Chances of me getting shot, not
Everyone loving the Tech
Publishin', I get a check
Loving the cities that with me, the people that call me the best
I don't have any regret, but it's a bit of neglect
Missing my babies I love 'em and none of 'em leaving me yet
Feeling good like a villain should
In a mansion, but I'm still in hoods
Not like Trayvon, J's on
Khaki shorts with a red tee like I will and could
I can conceal it my permits say
If evil happens to swerve this way
Hope nobody deserves quick spray
I feel an angelic surge this day
They feeling my songs
Been doing it long
They want me to sell 'em my CD right outta my home
'Cause I'm in the zone
I'm putting 'em on in front of the store when a couple of police won't leave me alone
Why they tripping?
I fit the description
It's two of them rushing me I'm on a solo mission
To get people to listen, but they pushing and kicking me
I'm on the ground when they telling me, "Cause of a gun suspicion"
It was in my pocket, ain't trying pop it
When they scared of a brother with a gun no one can stop it
Then one of 'em lost it, and then I was shot quick
Officers took me to heaven, I'm dead and with multiple rockets
Didn't matter I was good and living inside a mansion next to ball players
'Cause of the move he made was drastic now I lay in a casket carried by my pallbearers
Fears what I see, making 'em kill a G
Rotten apple in the batch; don't tell the rest to flee
This happened in Baton, R-O-U-G-E, even I fit the description
What if it was me?
What if it was me
What if I never got the one chance to be
Everything and everywhere I go, I wouldn't see
If by your hand you took that from me
But what if it were me?
Laying right there
I'll never get up again, it's so unfair
My babies cry out
You never cared
Things that we do make each other so scared
So what if it was you there?
(Should I just) Take your life
(Should I bust) Make your wife widowed, withered, hugging the pillow
The scent of you still on her
Spirit she feels on her
The whole world weeps
Blood we all spill on her
And I know, it's ill will, the pill's hard to swallow
How should I feel when I'm being followed (followed)
By the words that you say to me? (Crazy)
And you saved my life, take my life
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, Crips, Bloods with sore fists
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, Crips, Bloods with sore fists
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, Crips, Bloods with sore fists
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, Crips, Bloods with sore fists and them Nazis
The song What If It Was Me by Tech N9ne is a poignant and emotional exploration of social injustice and police brutality in the United States. In the song, Tech N9ne imagines what would happen if he were subjected to the same treatment as many other black men who have been killed or injured by police officers. Tech N9ne starts by espousing the idea that winners are not people who never fail but people who never quit in achieving their dreams. He goes ahead to describe his journey in the rap industry, starting from humble beginnings, and overcoming various obstacles to make a name for himself.
Tech N9ne then delves into the reality of living in a neighborhood rife with crime and gang activity. Despite the challenges, he and his friends found solace in music, and it gave them hope to rise above the violence and drug dealing. Sadly, one of his friends strayed from the group's path and committed a heinous crime, causing them to split. Tech N9ne went solo and enjoyed success, becoming a well-respected figure in the music industry. However, this did not shield him from the systemic racism and police brutality that plagues many black Americans.
Tech N9ne then imagines scenarios where he is wrongly accused and killed by the police in the same way as many other black men. The lyrics express pain, fear, and anger at the state of affairs that lead to these events but also hope for change. Tech N9ne expresses that he wants to be part of the solution by raising awareness of these problems through his music.
The song's meaning is clear, and it offers a poignant and emotional insight into social injustice and police brutality. The delivery is passionate and raw, underscoring the urgency and gravity of the message. The song's music video features Tech N9ne performing the song in a church, heightening the song's emotional impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Free your mind, and remember
Open your mind and keep in mind
Winners are not people who never fail
Success isn't determined by never failing
But people who never quit
But by those who never give up
All I ever wanted was to sell
My only desire was to sell
Records to the people make a lot of mil', yessir
To sell records and make a lot of money
Rap to me, it was the holy grail
Rap was my ultimate goal
I'm gonna go and do it, I'm never gonna fail
I will achieve it, I won't fail
Yeah, but first I gotta make it out of Hell
But first, I have to overcome my struggles
Wake up and I see crime
I wake up and witness crime
All of us we on it's eat time
All of us are involved, it's time to take action
My homies love me yelling "Peace N9ne"
My friends show me love by calling me "Peace N9ne"
At the same time, throwing B signs
While also flashing gang signs
Throwing 'em back and repping the street, I'm
Throwing them back and representing my neighborhood
Doing music and I'm writing beast rhymes
I'm making music and writing powerful lyrics
But my V-Slimes, had no weak minds
My friends had strong minds and determination
Got with the music, started a group and we shine
We came together through music and became successful
Music gave us hella hope
Music gave us a lot of hope
Made it up out of the bangin' and sellin' dope
We escaped the dangerous life of crime
We were stronger than a bottle of Yoke
We were resilient and unbreakable
'Till one of our members found a kid to grope
Until one of our group members committed a terrible act
Then your honor gave the peddy the rope
Then the court sentenced the pedophile to death
Losing a man, the band began to slope
Losing a member, the band's success started declining
Never did think a plan was damned to croak
We never expected the plan to fail
So doing it solo-dolo stands the G.O.A.T
So I continue on my own and become the greatest of all time
Started making hella LP's
Started releasing a lot of albums
2000, all the way to five, felt free
From 2000 to 2005, I felt free and liberated
Because of the hand the label dealt me
Because of the circumstances given by the record label
But in ‘06 Fontana helped us melt cheese
But in 2006, Fontana Records helped us make a lot of money
Number one independent gonna be spending a ton of funds, in a minute
As the number one independent artist, I'll be spending a lot of money soon
That's when the government want the sums, then I send it
That's when the government wants their share, and I pay it
In a couple of months I'm done and replenished
In a few months, I'll be finished and financially stable again
Everywhere I go, I'm selling out the show
Wherever I go, my concerts are always sold out
Around the world I kill 'em and everybody know
I'm successful and respected worldwide
Whenever we hit the studio and Tecca Nina drop, hot
Whenever we release new music, it becomes popular
Even though I will go toe to toe if somebody bang on me
Even though I'm willing to defend myself if provoked
But I'm rolling in the dough and I'm really respected and protected
But I'm financially successful and highly regarded and supported
Chances of me getting shot, not
The likelihood of me being shot is low
Everyone loving the Tech
Everyone loves Tech N9ne
Publishin', I get a check
I receive royalty checks from my publishing rights
Loving the cities that with me, the people that call me the best
I appreciate the cities that support me and the fans who consider me the best
I don't have any regret, but it's a bit of neglect
I have no regrets, but there's a slight feeling of being neglected
Missing my babies I love 'em and none of 'em leaving me yet
I miss my children, I love them, and none of them have left me
Feeling good like a villain should
Feeling confident and satisfied
In a mansion, but I'm still in hoods
Living in a mansion but still connected to my roots
Not like Trayvon, J's on
Not like Trayvon Martin, wearing Jordans
Khaki shorts with a red tee like I will and could
Wearing khaki shorts and a red T-shirt, showing that I can and I will
I can conceal it my permits say
I can hide it, my permits allow it
If evil happens to swerve this way
If danger comes my way
Hope nobody deserves quick spray
I hope no one deserves to be quickly shot
I feel an angelic surge this day
I feel a surge of angelic energy today
They feeling my songs
They resonate with my songs
Been doing it long
I've been doing this for a long time
They want me to sell 'em my CD right outta my home
Fans want to buy my CD directly from my home
‘Cause I'm in the zone
Because I'm in the right state of mind
I'm putting 'em on in front of the store when a couple of police won't leave me alone
I'm promoting my music in front of a store, but the police won't stop bothering me
Why they tripping?
Why are they causing trouble?
I fit the description
I match the description
It's two of them rushing me I'm on a solo mission
Two police officers are aggressively approaching me, while I'm alone
To get people to listen, but they pushing and kicking me
To get people to listen to my music, but they are physically attacking me
I'm on the ground when they telling me, "Cause of a gun suspicion"
I'm on the ground while they accuse me of carrying a gun
It was in my pocket, ain't trying pop it
There was a gun in my pocket, but I didn't try to use it
When they scared of a brother with a gun no one can stop it
They are afraid of a black man with a gun, and no one can prevent their fear
Then one of 'em lost it, and then I was shot quick
Then one of the officers lost control, and I was quickly shot
Officers took me to heaven, I'm dead and with multiple rockets
The officers killed me, and now I'm in heaven surrounded by symbols of violence
Didn't matter I was good and living inside a mansion next to ball players
It didn't matter that I was successful and living in a mansion near athletes
'Cause of the move he made was drastic now I lay in a casket carried by my pallbearers
Because of the officer's drastic decision, I am now lying in a casket carried by my funeral attendees
Fears what I see, making 'em kill a G
Fear is what they see, driving them to kill a gang member
Rotten apple in the batch; don't tell the rest to flee
A corrupt individual within a group; don't warn the others to run away
This happened in Baton, R-O-U-G-E, even I fit the description
This occurred in Baton Rouge, and even I matched the description
What if it was me?
What if I was the one in that situation?
What if it was me
What if I was the victim?
What if I never got the one chance to be
What if I never had the opportunity to succeed
Everything and everywhere I go, I wouldn't see
I wouldn't be able to experience everything I do and go everywhere I go
If by your hand you took that from me
If you took that away from me
But what if it were me?
But what if it was me in that situation?
Laying right there
Lying there lifeless
I'll never get up again, it's so unfair
I would never be able to rise again, it's incredibly unjust
My babies cry out
My children would grieve
You never cared
You never showed any concern
Things that we do make each other so scared
Our actions instill fear in one another
So what if it was you there?
So what if you were the one in that situation?
(Should I just) Take your life
(Should I) end your life
(Should I bust) Make your wife widowed, withered, hugging the pillow
(Should I) make your wife a grieving widow, alone and distraught
The scent of you still on her
The memory of you still lingering with her
Spirit she feels on her
Your spirit she can sense
The whole world weeps
The entire world mourns
Blood we all spill on her
Blood is shed for her
And I know, it’s ill will, the pill’s hard to swallow
I know it's filled with ill intentions, it's difficult to accept
How should I feel when I'm being followed (followed)
How should I feel when I'm constantly being followed
By the words that you say to me? (Crazy)
By the hurtful and irrational words you say to me?
And you saved my life, take my life
And yet, you saved my life, but now you want to end it
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, Crips, Bloods with sore fists
I have to fight all night with the police, Crips, Bloods, using my bruised fists
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, Crips, Bloods with sore fists
I have to fight all night with the police, Crips, Bloods, using my bruised fists
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, Crips, Bloods with sore fists
I have to fight all night with the police, Crips, Bloods, using my bruised fists
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, Crips, Bloods with sore fists and them Nazis
I have to fight all night with the police, Crips, Bloods, Nazis using my bruised fists
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: AARON YATES, FREEK VAN WORKUM, NICK LUSCOMBE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DovalMusik
[Intro: Tech N9ne]
Free your mind, and remember
Winners are not people who never fail
But people who never quit
All I ever wanted was to sell
Records to the people make a lot of mil', yessir
Rap to me, it was the holy grail
I'm gonna go and do it, I'm never gonna fail
Yeah, but first I gotta make it out of Hell
[Verse 1: Tech N9ne]
Wake up and I see crime
All of us we on it's eat time
My homies love me yelling "Peace N9ne"
At the same time, throwing B signs
Throwing em back and repping the street, I'm
Doing music and I'm writing beast rhymes
But my V-Slimes, had no weak minds
Got with the music, started a group and we shine
Music gave us hella hope
Made it up out of the bangin' and sellin' dope
We were stronger than a bottle of Yoke
Till one of our members found a kid to grope
Then your honor gave the peddy the rope
Losing a man, the band began to slope
Never did think a plan was damned to croak
So doing it solo-dolo stands the G.O.A.T
Started making hella LP's
2000, all the way to five, felt free
Because of the hand the label dealt me
But in ‘06 Fontana helped us melt cheese
Number one independent gonna be spending a ton of funds, in a minute
That's when the government want the sums, then I send it
In a couple of months I'm done and replenished
[Bridge: Tech N9ne]
Everywhere I go, I'm selling out the show
Around the world I kill em and everybody know
Whenever we hit the studio
And Tecca Nina drop, hot
Even though I will go toe to toe
If somebody bang on me, but I'm rolling in the dough
And I'm really respected and protected
Chances of me getting shot, not
[Verse 2: Tech N9ne]
Everyone loving the Tech
Publishin', I get a check
Loving the cities that with me, the people that call me the best
I don't have any regret, but it's a bit of neglect
Missing my babies I love em and none of 'em leaving me yet
Feeling good like a villain should
In a mansion, but I'm still in hoods
Not like Trayvon, J's on
Khaki shorts with a red tee like I will and could
I can conceal it my permits say
If evil happens to swerve this way
Hope nobody deserves quick spray
I feel an angelic surge this day
They feeling my songs
Been doing it long
They want me to sell 'em my CD right outta my home
Cos I'm in the zone
I'm putting em on in front of the store when a couple of police won't leave me alone
Why they tripping?
I fit the description
It's two of them rushing me I'm on a solo mission
To get people to listen, but they pushing and kicking me
I'm on the ground when they telling me, "Cause of a gun suspicion"
It was in my pocket, ain't trying pop it
When they scared of a brother with a gun no one can stop it
Then one of em lost it, and then I was shot quick
Officers took me to heaven, I'm dead and with multiple rockets
Didn't matter I was good and living inside a mansion next to ball players
'Cause of the move he made was drastic now I lay in a casket carried by my pallbearers
Fears what I see, making em kill a G
Rotten apple in the batch; don't tell the rest to flee
This happened in Baton, R-O-U-G-E, even I fit the description
What if it was me?
[Verse 3: Krizz Kaliko]
What if it was me
What if I never got the one chance to be
Everything and everywhere I go, I wouldn't see
If by your hand you took that from me
But what if it was me?
Laying right there
I'll never get up again, it's so unfair
My babies cry out
You never cared
Things that we do make each other so scared
So what if it was you there?
(Should I just) Take your life
(Should I bust) Make your wife widowed, withered, hugging the pillow
The scent of you still on her
Spirit she feels on her
The whole world weeps
Blood we all spill on her
And I know, it’s ill will; the pill’s hard to swallow
How should I feel when I'm being followed (followed)
By the words that should save me? (Crazy)
They just take my life (take my life)
[Outro: Krizz Kaliko & Tech N9ne]
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, crips, bloods with sore fists
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, crips, bloods with sore fists
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, crips, bloods with sore fists
I gotta fight, all of the night with cops, crips, bloods with sore fists and them Nazis
@ZZZ-Hip-Hop
Run The Jewels - Early
Astro - K.i.n.g
Kendrick Lamar - The Blacker The Berry
Dumbfounded - Harambe
Vince Staples - Hands Up
The Underachievers - Amorphous
Quest - No Love in the City
Ab-Soul - Beautiful Death
Saba - Church/Liquor Store
Audio Push - Turn Down
Earthgang - Exactly
Taylor Bennett - Broad Shoulders
Mick Jenkins - Spread Love
CyHi da Prince - Barry White
Earl Sweatshirt - Off Top
Isaiah Rashad - Heavenly Father
Nyck Caution - Baptize
@corpsecandy2076
Can we just take a second and appreciate krizz kaliko's voice? jesus christ man. that fuckin voice.
@lochlann45
dauði sigla
he's got that 90s rnb vibe
@nathanawesome10
lochlann45 You got that vibe too?
@lordhighunggoy5156
dauði sigla yea, it's pretty great
@paradise9565
Yea dude my fav part 😹
@2869may
For sure! He is fucking amazing...! Why Me, has to be my fav though.
@aceeoutlaw554
so underrated... it's because he talks about real stuff and isn't a mumble rapper and actually has lyrics...
@TheYeller7
And he doesn't hop on one side or another that pays him or anything like that. He tells what he believes and says fuck you to everyone who disagrees.
@SFBucciarellionline
acee outlaw last of a dying kind
@aceeoutlaw554
Ayee