Shirley Ju from Okayplayer recently had the chance to interview Tech N9ne.
In this interview Tech and Shirley discuss Planet, advice for up and coming artists, current state of hip-hop, best encounter with fans, and much more.
You can read the full interview below.
From OkayPlayer:
Leading up to the release of his new album, Planet, Tech N9ne sat down with Okayplayer and kicked some knowledge
For more than 20 years, Tech N9ne has been one of the most reliable rappers in hip-hop. He’s put out more than a dozen projects over that span of time. The Kansas City native is showing no signs of slowing down.
Tech N9ne earned the first platinum plaque of his career last year, for his 2006 single “Caribou Lou.” And now he’s getting ready to release his 12th album, Planet, on March 3. The album’s lead single is the hypnotic “Tech N9ne (Don’t Nobody Want None),” which samples the 1983 electric classic “Al-Naafiysh (The Soul).”
Tech N9ne has many accomplishments. But he’s also an artist who prides himself on delivering music that contains substantial content for his listeners. We recently sat down with Tech N9ne and spoke about his new album, how he compares lyrically to Kendrick Lamar, and the last words his mother ever said to him.
Check out the interview below.
OKP: What do you look for in an artist? And what advice do you have for an up-and-coming artist who’s looking to get signed?
TN: I look for them to have skill in rhyme, and I look for them to be able to do it live as well. Because without live, you have nothing. Live is forever. The advice I would give to up-and-coming artists is to write what you know, and people [will] forever feel you. Don’t write what you don’t know because you will be exposed. Everything has to be 100 percent you and not nobody else.
OKP: What does Black History Month mean to you this time around?TN: I feel like Black History Month is… too less. It’s the shortest month. [laughs]
OKP: What is your take on the current state of hip-hop and where do you see yourself fitting in?TN: I think it’s wonderful. It’s forever changing. It’s forever growing. And I’m gonna be in it no matter where it goes. As you can see, I’m still here on the incline. Not one style that comes out is gonna stump me. Or gonna bury me. Because I am hip-hop. I am music. I am rhythm and rhyme.
OKP: You recently dropped a video for “Don’t Want Nobody Want None.” Are you looking to dive into the Hip Hop/EDM crossover?
TN: Yeah, I’ve been adding to EDM for some years now. This one is a dedication from back in 1983. I’m a beat boy, breakdancer, pop locker — so it’s only right for me to pay homage to the ones that came before us. The ones that made us want to do music. So, why not?
OKP: What can fans expect from your Planet album that they haven’t seen before?TN: They can expect the “don’t-give-a-damn” attitude…Imma do whatever the hell I want. And I don’t care who or what they think. And by that attitude, I think it will hit everybody. And I think that they will love it.
OKP: There’s a track on the project called “Levitation.” This actually reminds me of Kendrick’s record “untitled 07.”
TN: Kendrick had one called “levitate, levitate, levitate.” Yes. We have a song together called “Fragile” that went gold. [My song is] nothing like that “Levitate” song. This is “Levitation.” This is… the energy I feel from the crowd. It lifts me up. The energy and the love lifts me up. That type of David Blaine levitation.
OKP: How do you compare yourself lyrically to Kendrick?
TN: Different, but on that level. We wouldn’t be able to work together if I wasn’t on that level. To be able to hang with a lyricist of his stature, of his skill. I got a song with Eminem. I got a song with Joyner Lucas. Logic. I’m on that level. I don’t care how big they get, I’m right there with them. And I love them all. They’re all my brothers.
OKP: Your record “We Won’t Go Quietly” is inspired by your mother’s last words to you: “Liberty and justice for all.”
TN: Those were the last words she said to me before she passed: “Liberty and justice for all, liberty and justice for all, liberty and justice for all.” Just over and over. And I smiled real big. Like, you’re dying from Lupus and that’s all you want? That’s a tall order. I don’t know if there will ever be liberty and justice for all. I think the rest of that will be “Liberty and justice for all the rich and not the poor.” I don’t think that’s right. I think it should be liberty and justice for all like my mom wanted.
OKP: What would you be doing if you weren’t rapping?
TN: I would be a psychiatrist…I turned out to be my fans’ psychiatrist.
OKP: What’s the best encounter you’ve had a with a fan?
TN: When Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said he loves my music, and he put me on the new WWE game soundtrack. And when Elton John said he was in Canada looking for Tech N9ne records. Two dope moments with fans.OKP: Who’s the most played artist on your phone?
TN: The most played artist on my phone is myself. I listen to my music over and over so I can learn it, so I can rap it to my audience. Other than me… I play Travis Scott in the car. I play Travis Scott in my room, at night, during the weed sessions with me and my lady.
Faygoluvers Comments
SpOOky J
Comment posted on Monday, February 19th, 2018 03:21 pm GMT -5 at 3:21 pm
Interesting…. But Tech N9ne? He’s literally been doing it before everybody he listed. Kinda wierd. It’s like reading a Grandpa saying he’s on the “level” of his kids , and then his grand kids. Grounded. Level headed. Down to Earth. But still out of this world. Respectable complimentaries. AND so I dont get called a nutrider, which I will, still VERY egotistical. Still can’t wait to hear it.
HahahaWooo
Comment posted on Monday, February 19th, 2018 10:00 pm GMT -5 at 10:00 pm
Tech Nine is extremely overrated. For some reason white suburban kids are easily mesmerized by this hack. It’s sad seeing Faygoluvers pandering to him with these stupid article posts.
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 03:04 am GMT -5 at 3:04 am
yeah alright douchey, if you know whats so dope you should make it yourself, just give me ONE example of how Tech is a hack, go on douchey, just one. Name one artist that can outdo Techs live performance, you seen that shit? or you too busy douching it up on the net. and FL isnt pandering ya tool bag, they report on juggalo music and Tech is part of that world. its funny you criticize them for posting it but your dumbass still clicked on it haha retarded much?
Noawareness
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 03:08 am GMT -5 at 3:08 am
It’s just his opinion bro. Chill out.
Noawareness
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 03:09 am GMT -5 at 3:09 am
And the whole “if you know what’s so good, go make it yourself” shit doesn’t really work unless you’ve never chriticised someone else’s work in your life.
Noawareness
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 03:06 am GMT -5 at 3:06 am
This guy has no personality. Every interview is the same:
Interviewer: “What sound should we expect from your next album?”
Tech: “The best sound. Coz I’m not he best”
Interviewer: “what do you feel about the current state of hip hop?”
Tech: “Hip hop is the best. Because I am hip hop. And I’m the best!”
Sorry but his shit has been the same for a long time now. Nothing new. The only thing different about anything he does is Michael Summer’s progression. Each album. 15 krizz kaliko features, speed rapping over oprera beats, aggressive choruses, crying about how he’s not respected enough.
Just my opinion but I’m tired of him.
Noawareness
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 03:07 am GMT -5 at 3:07 am
Dunno where that “not” came from.
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 05:34 am GMT -5 at 5:34 am
jesus main keep it to 1 comment would ya. I am chilled out, bout as chill as you can be broooo. The first 5 words of his comment was an opinion, that part was fine, the rest just screamed “Im a whiney bitch who loves to complain”. Yeah so hes a little cocky, its rap music ya douche, most rappers are on the mic saying Im the dopest, my musics the shit! its part of rap, and techs been one of the humblest out there until more recent years. If you listen to Anghellic thru to the Storm, concentrating only on vocals and ignoring the dope Seven beats and see no progression in techs style then you one dumb nigga haha. you grown tired? cool theres the door, problem solved, you dont have to hear anything about Tech again, huzzah!
NeckCutta505
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 11:51 am GMT -5 at 11:51 am
I lost all respect for tech when he said juggalos were last to jump on his bandwagon and to embrace his music. Total disrespect towards juggalos that know whats up and remember whats real. And most you guys are still on his nutts. Fucking sheep.
BurtMacklin
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 12:43 am GMT -5 at 12:43 am
Boo fuckin hooyou sound like every other whiny crybaby juggalo, you have no business calling anyone a sheep, kid
Solomon Grundy
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 12:09 pm GMT -5 at 12:09 pm
Different, but on that level… Is the stupidest shit a rapper could say. Nobody should be on your level. Your level is yours not 40 other motherfuckers level. Tech’s a pussy to not even say he’s better than somebody. Fuckin lame ass dweeb.
SpOOky J
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 12:39 pm GMT -5 at 12:39 pm
Tech N9ne admittedly is my favorite emcee (has been since January of 2002, put that in your pipe and smoke it!), and in his defense, he put out many real, soundscanned, physical copy albums out before he and the Juggalo world started to work together. BUT- Also, admittedly, JUGGALOS- NOT “Fans”- well, let’s include some metalheads and some other “unorthodox” fanbases-elevated him out of his career slump from 2001- 2006. It was JUGGALOS BUYING his records. It was once this beautiful, unspoken thing. Anhellic- Everready:
SpOOky J
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 12:54 pm GMT -5 at 12:54 pm
The Religion were good times to be a Juggalo. I remember the crowds were seriously 75% Juggalos, app. 10% “Alternative” fans, and 15% wiggers/ Rezheds or other. He had me hooked for life after AngHELLic, “Thug Pit” & “Serial Killa.” Those were the days. High school, the evolution of the World’s & my own Juggaloism, Psychopathic, SubNoize, Strange, Dirty Thug, Psycho- logical & all their associated & affiliates at the time coming together MUSICALLY to try to conquer the mainstream bullshit. So what I’m trying to get at is this: Tech N9ne’s still dope, but everything has gone to his head. Shit has NOT been the same since MLK as far as impact & content. Name another rapper that has done collabs with ICP, Twiztid, KMK, Korn, Corey Taylor, (hed) p.e., Serj Tankian, Deftones, Wes Borland, the list goes on- all the crazy Juggalo, Underground & Nu Metal shit- to his height of success…. You ain’t gonna find it unless it’s Everlast. So I see both sides of your guys point of view up there. I wrote a novel but but just need to remember who Tech was and what git him here. He still loves us- he just wants to keep us at a distance. Mmfl.
NeckCutta505
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 01:33 pm GMT -5 at 1:33 pm
Yes, hes been on the grind for years but nobody gave a shit about him or his music. For fucks sake he was the opening act on the wicked wonka tour even coming on before kottonmouth kings. He was selling his cd with a free autograph at the venue thats how many fans gave a shit about him at the time. In other words he didnt have much of a fan base as he claims hes had through his early part of his career.
scruffy
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 01:42 pm GMT -5 at 1:42 pm
tech had plenty of fan base before wicked wonka.
shit, i had already seen him several times by then. packed houses, mostly, and nowhere even near 75% juggalos. more like three percent.
NeckCutta505
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 02:09 pm GMT -5 at 2:09 pm
If he had plenty of fan base why open up for KMK? Why not go on his own tour if he had the fan base with packed houses, lol? Makes no sense thats like him opening up for AMB at the present moment.
BurtMacklin
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 12:47 am GMT -5 at 12:47 am
Your only saying all this shit because of what he said about juggalos and now your all butthurt. It’s juggalos like you who were messaging kung fu vampire on Facebook saying “I like your music but I’m not gonna fuck with you anymore because your friendly with MNE” (kfv actually talked about this). It’s so pathetic
scruffy
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 06:54 pm GMT -5 at 6:54 pm
cuz he likes juggalos.
of course.
NeckCutta505
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 11:56 am GMT -5 at 11:56 am
How the fuck did Gung Fu Vampire even get into this discussion? “Your only saying all this shit because of what he said about juggalos and now your all butthurt.” Nah shit Sherlock. Juggalos were basically his building blocks to the career he enjoys now. Then totally spits in juggalos face just so his Johnny-come-lately mainstream fans can feel better knowing he ain’t from the juggalo world. Even though that ain’t true. But once the mainstream turn their backs on him he will try and come back and act like nothing happened.
scruffy
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 12:15 pm GMT -5 at 12:15 pm
i dont think he spat in my face.
also, wasnt gonna say nuthin before, but seein it again…
the notion of comparing ‘amb at the present moment’ to insane clown posse at literally any moment is hysterically silly.
i mean, cmon. talk about not makin sense.
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