The Savage Animal 11.08.06: Introducing Tech N9ne
Posted by Mikey MiGo on 11.08.2006
In this edition of The Savage Animal Mikey MiGo introduces you to underground rapper Tech N9ne. So open your mind, turn up your speakers, and prepare to be enlightened on what you're missing.
With another lazy weekend, I accomplished nothing. Which in my opinion is a great way to spend a weekend and a rarity these days for me. When you're planning a small business with a friend, planning on going to school, doing some marketing, web design, graphic work, writing and more all at the same time you tend to lose track of your mental well being. Nothing catches you up like Football. Football, however, has become a double sided sword for those who play Fantasy Football. On one hand you're happy that you're 8 and 1 and a full game up on everyone due to sly drafting, trading, and starting. On the other hand you feel a bit upset that your favorite team loses. This week the Chicago Bears lost. For the entire week I told friends that I knew they were going to lose, but it still sucks. Especially with their three East Coast games coming up. I see them being lucky if they win two out of the three, but what am I saying? They'll go 15-1. Yeeeaaaah.
RAW was lack luster. I blame the fact there was no K-Fed. I enjoy the fact that I've been one of the few, including Lance Storm, to enjoy his work in wrestling thus far. What better than a fake rapper feuding with a fake rapper? I'd like to think that once they wrestle on New Years that K-Fed will have at least two more moves than Cena. I just hope there's training skits to hype it up. K-Fed getting trained by the likes of The Brooklyn Brawler would make for great TV. I'm annoyed by DX despite HBK being my favorite of all time. I was REALLY hoping that "The Rated rKo Superstars" would win the straps. I think Shelton should form a stable with Cryme Tyme and maybe Ron Simmons as their leader. Sorta like a Nation of Domination 2K6, with a G-Unit twist with Simmons being Dr Dre/Suge Knight. Then after a year, Shelton and Shad could redo the whole 50/Game feud and it'll write itself. While it's a rehashed publicity stunt feud, it would be new to wrestling. I especially enjoy when there's something fresh in wrestling. It adds a new experience to add the ol' memory bank for years to come.
Speaking of freshness and new experiences, In the summer of 2002, a friend and I attended the Sprite Liquid Fest in Chicago. The bill was a mix of awesome performers and some that I could have lived without seeing. The main stage featured Jay Z, 311, Hoobastank, NERD, and Nappy Roots. It was an odd lineup, but it was a great time. Every concert like this I end up taking home at least one memory that stays with me. There was a few at this show, but the one I want to talk about is seeing this unknown rapper on the second stage. Before Snoop had Don Magic Juan in all of his videos, this guy has a pimp on stage to introduce his set. The introduction was something that's vague, but the rapper's name was Tech N9ne. From the contagious beats and hooks to more energy than was merited for such a small crowd, I was left a fan for life.
After the show I got my hands on a few tracks and read what I could find about Tech N9ne. He represents the Midwest, which is something I could respect, enjoy, and represent as well. Of all the tracks one that stood out to me was "Slacker." A track that describes the slacker life of being a product of Reganomics. Sleep, Smoke, and play video games all day. At the time, I could relate to this probably more than any other.
And apparently, Indy Wrestling sensation Jack Evans agrees...
INTRODUCING TECH N9NE
Artist: Tech N9ne From: Kansas City, Missouri Status: Underground Rapper
THE NAME
The meaning of the name would be assumed to be a reference to a nine millimeter gun, but Tech N9ne has said other wise. Tech explained in many interviews that his name means "Technique Number Nine." Why the number nine? It's because it's said to be a significant number in life with cat's having "nine lives" and nine months of pregnancy. If you're not already shaking your head thinking "What the hell is he talking about?" keep reading and keep your mind open.
BIOGRAPHY
You could just listen to the track "I'm a Playa" for his album "Absolute Power" to get a to-the-point summary, but I'm going to take a deeper look. Aaron Dontez Yates was born on November 8, 1971 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was raised by a very religious family with his parents being Christian for most of his life and his stepfather being a Muslim. For the longest time his parents would not allow him to listen to rap music due to it's content and sacrilegious ways, but that all changed when an Uncle snuck him a record entitled "Rap Dirty" by Blowfly. This interested Aaron very much. He soon began to put together a large hip hop collection with a few of his favorites being Afrika Bambaataa, NWA, and Public Enemy to name a few. Of course his parents would have none of that so he had to end up hiding all his records at a friend's house to keep it secret.
He moved in with his aunt when he was 17. She was a lot more open and gave Aaron a lot more freedom. This of course meant he could listen to his albums and explore more of what was the hip hop movement. He began to practice his rhyming and dancing, which got the attention of Tonya Johnson(SOLE). She took him along to a rap convention in New Orleans and really gave him his big break.
THE ROAD TO ABSOLUTE POWER
Tech would soon become a very popular rapper in Kansas City and an underground sensation to the rest of the country. He toured constantly in support of his albums. After hitting up anywhere and everywhere his reputation was set with the underground and with his fellow rappers. Tech would find himself appearing on tracks with Tupac Shakur, Eminem, ICP, Twista, Yukmouth, Bone Thugs N Harmony, D12, Kottonmouth Kings, Sole, Roger Troutman, and MC Ren to name a few. His most notable appearance is from a Wake Up Show track entitled "Anthem" where he appeared with many top name rappers that included Xzibit, RZA, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Pharoahe Monch, and Eminem.
IMAGE
He is a very eccentric man. It shows through his appearance, which stands out against mostly any other mainstream rapper out there. If Busta Rhymes was known for his dreads, then Tech should be known for his large red liberty spikes; a style that's mostly known for punk rock roots. It makes sense though, he really does have the careless mentality and fun approach of a punk rocker.
STANDING OUT
Tech N9ne is the total package. He rolls all known rap styles into one huge blunt and smokes it every time he gets on stage. Through work of mouth he is becoming one of the top underground rappers of this era. He most known to be a speed-rapper, however, is also known to compose a rather slower flow, with a yelling, almost chanting delivery. His styles are so varied and musically unique that comparing him to any other rapper would be an injustice.
WHY HE'S NOT MAINSTREAM
He's playful and fun, but at the same time some of his lyrics are dark, suicidal, and somewhat psychotic. Yet, he has the persona and skills to make a huge mark on mainstream radio and television. He could EASILY go out there and make the party album of the decade, but I honestly think he's not mainstream because he doesn't want to be. It stays true to himself and continues to make the music he wants to. The lyrics to "Keep On Keepin' On" really summarize how he is.
"You can pray and pray for my downfall
When I rise like the sun
I ain't fuckin' with ya'll"
I'm gonna on keep on keepin' on"
DISCOGRAPY
The Calm Before The Storm Released: November 9, 1999 My Picks: "Now It's On", "Cloudy-Eyed Stroll", "Mitchell Bade"
Anghellic Released: August 28, 2001 My Picks: "Tormented", "Psycho Bitch", "It's Alive", "Einstein"
Celcius Released: September, 2002 My Picks: "He Wanna Be Paid", "Ride Wit Me", "Mizery"
Absolute Power Released: September 24, 2002 My Picks: "The Industry is Punks", "Keep On Keepin On", "Here Comes Tecca Nina", "I'm A Playa", "Imma Tell", "Slacker"
Vintage Tech Released: March 22, 2005 My Picks: "Now It's On", "Be Jealous", "The Grench", "I'm a Playa(Remix)", "My Own Hell"
Everready:The Religion Released: November 7, 2006 My Picks: "No Can Do", "Bout Ta' Bubble", "It's What You Thinkin'", JellySickle", "Caribou Lou", "The Beast"
I hope you enjoyed being enlightened about the marvel that is Tech N9ne. I dig him and his work and I hope you do too. His newest album "Everready: The Religion" came out YESTERDAY. Go pick it up and support the underground. Actually, pick it up and send in YOUR review of the album and I'll post it in the next column.
If you have any comments about Tech N9Ne feel free to send them in or if you know of an underground artist or band that should have some attention send your suggestions in. Next week, I'm thinking I'm going to have some fun with updating a movie soundtrack. I've been thinking about it and we'll see how it goes. Until then, Have a Great Week!
THE ROAD TO ABSOLUTE POWER
