Last week, I had the humbling opportunity of sorting through Tech N9ne’s numerous tour buses to find Strange Music’s CEO for an intimate one-on-one interview. However, it wasn’t until being led to Tech’s personal quarters by the man himself that I realized how much work goes into his tenured success.
After a half-hour long conversation about everything from major label success and becoming an independent billionaire to the settled opinion on his latest album Something Else and what he considers his best project to date, the typically boisterous mental giant made sure to personally see me out of his tour bus – which doubles as his traveling home, bedroom and living room. Considering he double-checked to ensure there weren’t any fans lurking within 50 feet, his rationale was obvious. However, what struck me was what he said upon opening the door to the drizzling Detroit streets.
“Where are we?”
As he thought, I paused, wondering if he was joking or legitimately didn’t know which venue he was rocking later that night. Before I could react, he looked up at the brick-encrusted side of the Fillmore – which has no indication of anything other than sturdy craftsmanship and said, “The Fillmore. Used to be The State Theater.”
As I confirmed, said my peace and walked away, I realized that was the first time he had been outside that day. It was 2:30PM. As a traveling one man show, he lives and breaths touring, letting the music lead his direction. His schedule isn’t dictated by an alarm clock. It’s dictated by interviews with people he doesn’t know, coming into his living space and fans at meet & greets, lurking outside his bus. Then, after interacting in character all afternoon and performing throughout the night, his day ends half-way through the AM, driving off to another city to start it all over again. Tech N9ne is more than an artist. He lives and breathes his music.
To understand how someone can single-handedly fulfill their own destiny and turn a penchant for creation into Forbes-level success with only an independent rap career, soak up some game as we proudly present Smoking Sessions with Tech N9ne.
TSS: All good business models have goals and lately you’ve been crossing off quite a few.
Tech N9ne: Totally.
TSS: Your ninth studio album Something Else scored your second highest Billboard debut to date. You made Forbes hip-hop list two years in a row. You’re about to embark on your third tour this year. You’ve been across the world and back.
With those same accolades, many artists might become complacent.
Tech N9ne: Not me.
TSS: What drives Tech N9ne?
Tech N9ne: I have to tread every piece of this Earth before I go, brother. I still haven’t been to Hawaii. I still haven’t been to Japan, or China. I haven’t been to Abu Dhabi, or Dubai. I still haven’t been to Turkey. Budapest. Africa. There’s like too many places I have to go, to get everybody to know my story. My music. And, we’re not there yet, you know what I’m sizzlin?
We just built a four million dollar studio and now, it’s brand new. We call it Strange Land and we’re taking the steps to get better and better at this music, to keep on spreading it. When I went to Spain, I had four-five days off. I ate seafood paihia everyday and I love it. But, nooobody knew who I was. I didn’t like that shit. I don’t like that shit. I have a lot more work to spread this Tech N9ne thing. Tech N9ne’s not on TV and radio, you know what I’m saying? We’ve been doing this thing on the streets and on tour.
What drives me is that I want everybody to…I want global domination. Global dominance, is what I want.
TSS: That’s setting the bar pretty high, which I guess is what you should be doing.
Tech N9ne: Yeah, if you’re going to do it, you might as go all the way.
TSS: You’ve been rapping professionally for over two decades and touring just as long, presumably. How do refine your craft at this point in your career?
Tech N9ne: I feel like Dracula, man. I feel like Vlad III, man. I feel like I’ve seen the rise and fall of a lot of MCs, over the years. And, I’ve been a student…and I’m still on the incline. The way that I rap, I guess, I wanna’ say it’s timeless, because when you listen to some of my older stuff, it’s still good.
TSS: Oh yeah.
Tech N9ne: Don’t get me wrong, when I listen to an Eric B and Rakim album, Paid In Full, it’s still good. Or, when I listen to a BDP album, it’s still good. There’s something about Tech N9ne that has the word longevity right next to it.
I was listening to the Snow song I did, the song I did with her, it’s called “You’re Welcome”. The way that I was rapping, it doesn’t sound like anybody. Maybe that’s it, I don’t know, man. I’m blessed to have…I’m blessed to be a fan of music. Because, I know what I want to hear out of an MC, or an artist, period. And, that’s what I go for. I want to hear something elite. If the beat is slower, I want to hear something laid back. I want to adjust to the beat, to the situation. So, if the beats are changing – rhythm is my thing – then I’m going to adjust to that rhythmic situation.
TSS: It’s adapting to what’s coming at you.
Tech N9ne: Yeah.
TSS: Not even to what’s current, whatever comes your way, at any given time.
Tech N9ne: No, not what’s current. Because, what’s current, I’ve passed it already. It’s like, a lot of the beats that are on the radio right now, I did it back on MLK. So, my beat selection now, for Something Else, it’s “Straight Out The Gate” with Serj Tankian and stuff like that. Fred Wreck, coming with the Doors track. It’s like, something else, man.
They said, “See Me” with B.o.B. and Wiz Khalifa sounded like a radio record. That’s ‘cause I got it from a aggin that does radio hits. Drumma Boy and B.o.B. You know, B.o.B. is my homie. ‘Send me some more beats….Oh, I like this one!’ You know what I’m sayin’? So, naturally it’s going to feel like something you’re used to. I guess that’s good. I don’t know. I do it, because I feel it.
TSS: Three months since the release, the dust has settled on Something Else. Where do you feel your latest LP – your ninth – stacks up against the rest of your studio albums?
Tech N9ne: It’s the best. It was hard to beat Everready, in my opinion, you know what I mean? I feel like All 6s & 7s was good, but this killed it. The content. The overall story behind it. The concept. The features are humongous, again. And, they’re going to keep on getting bigger and bigger.
TSS: That’s definitely been a trend.
Tech N9ne: Yeah, it’s going to bend genres. It’s going to keep changing, man. I think all my fans agree that this is the best work. Now, you’ve still got some fans that are like ‘Aw, I still like Anghellic,’ but that’s ‘cause they’re stuck in a time warp. But, I ain’t mad.
TSS: Some fans are going to be like that, no matter what.
Tech N9ne: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, I think it’s the best, man. I strive to be the best everytime I come out.
TSS: Is there anything you would’ve done differently?
Tech N9ne: No….not at all. Yeah. Yes, there is.
TSS: (Laughs)
Tech N9ne: I wouldn’t have taken “Party The Pain Away” off to put it on…to do whatever we did with it. I wouldn’t have taken “It Feels Like Heaven” off. But, it was too long. I had to extract songs. I had to put ‘em on iTunes or something. “Party The Pain Away” is beautiful, man. I would’ve kept those on there
TSS: So, you’re still constrained by time limits, because of the hard copies. Wow. I personally still burn CDs for myself over making playlists on my phone, so I run into that all the time. You’re dealing with that same issue of battling the 1:19 mark?
Tech N9ne: Yes, man. I hate it. Because, I’m putting together a canvass. You’re supposed to be able to put whatever you want on your canvass. But, you’re restricted. You’re restricted by 79 minutes. Really, anything after 76, I think, or 73 or 74 – could be defective. But, I push it all the time. Like, 80.
They wanted me to shorten the album and just do 14 songs. But, I got three levels on here. I want there to be some music on here. I want to get my point across. I’m creating a story, that’s going to last forever. It’s hard having those time restrictions.
I’m a Hip-Hop head and yes, I have music in my bones. That’s what keeps me going. But, if I can’t express myself like I want, then that’s when I’m like, “Nah.”
TSS: Especially at this point, when every other aspect of your career has been successfully achieved on your own steam. Being constrained on that creative front is probably really frustrating.
Tech N9ne: Yeah. Tech N9ne doing 12 songs and that’s it? Or, 10 songs. Kanye and them can do that thing and that’s cool, that’s tight. But, I’m telling a story. I don’t just have songs that I choose, that are hot. This is me. This is my baby.
When I say “Straight Out The Gate” and ‘let’s get Serj’ and he loves it, what comes after that has to be amazing as well, you know I’m saying? All the way down to the last song. It has to be cohesive.
TSS: Eleven years ago on “The Industry Is Punks” – which was the focus of one of my very first TSS pieces, back in like 2007 – you basically guaranteed you would be “running the race” against major labels. Now, you’ve got an independently released album contending against major releases like Robin Thicke & Jay-Z and you’ve legitimized your claims. How does it feel to be able to back up bold ass statements you made over ten years ago?
Tech N9ne: (Laughs) Ahh, man. I think about it all the time, brother. Because…OK, my parents are really religious. And in the Bible, it says, “Though you think, though it is.” My mom married a Muslim when I was 12. I studied Islam from 12 to 17, before I ran away from home. The Koran says ‘Be and it is.’ Be that and it will be, you know what I’m saying? I learned that.
So, if I feel it and I speak it into existence, it will be. I was felt like I was going to be this. One thing that Islam always taught me was to be able to back up everything you say. No nonsense. Somebody’s going to ask you, ‘What do you mean by that?’ And if you don’t have an answer, you’re going to sound like a fucking idiot.
So, I’ve always been able to back up what I say. Whether I have an emotion, like I’m upset – I’ll tell you why. Or, if I feel a certain way about a certain thing, I’m going to be able to tell you why. Because, that’s what Islam taught me. So, when I said that back that then, I already knew this was going to be me. That was me on drugs. But, it was still me. The only thing that changed in me, is that I’ve been clean for over a decade almost.
TSS: Kudos.
Tech N9ne: Almost a decade. It’s been like nine years or something like that. Maybe, eight years, I don’t know (laughs). On the new album, on “Fortune Force Field,” I said, “We gon’ win, just a bit of waiting” And we just won, against Caribou Coffee, to do Caribou Lou. I have faith I can make these things happen…if we’re 100% right. Or, righteous. We’ve always been righteous. And, when I say ‘we,’ I mean me and Travis O’Guin. “Guaranteed to be running the race”…yes, because I knew I was going to infect everybody. I knew I had something special. And, I knew, along this path, I’m not going to conform for no amount of money. I knew it. It was already in me.
TSS: That’s an amazing feat to be able to have that type of foresight, and enough belief in yourself to achieve these things. A lot of people would see the levels to this type of success and say, ‘That’s too much work.’ Yet, you’ve brought it all together.
Tech N9ne: It’s called being Moorish. The Moors came here from Africa, and taught everybody how to build things, you know what I mean? Kings, man. So, I’m Moorish. I know how to build things. Strange Music…the snake and the bat, came from my head. All these images…I know how to build things, to get places.
They didn’t give me foreign languages in school and I wanted it. They gave me fucking gym for an hour, so I skipped it. Home economics. I don’t give a fuck about that. Woodshop class. I don’t give a fuck about that. And, I wanted to learn shit. So, I stole the books. I said, ‘OK, I want to learn foreign languages, so I can go to these places.’
Back then, on the Sway & Tech “The Anthem” – I said, “Sway and Tech heard me flow and it’s sealed, now I got Swedish women yelling ‘Tech N9ne vild!’ and it captured people out there. Just that little piece. Then when I went out there, everybody was saying ‘I remember the vild. I remember the vild.’ And, I’m like ‘Yeah, I learned it from QD3, he’s Swedish.’
So, it’s like I learn things, so I can go places. I write rhymes to travel. So, it’s like I’m a natural builder of things. I build ideas that will infect people, because I’m Moorish. I’m a Moor. It’s natural for me to feel like a king, or Godly. I can make something out of nothing, like water and bread, or fish. And, it spreads to thousands of people. Now, I can say, I write this and it will spread to hundreds of thousands of people, or more, these days. That’s Godly, we would like to think, because as men with power, we have God complexes. Like, Eminem has “Rap God.” I feel him. I feel him, because it’s like him, up there, (*Makes a mountain with his hands and motions to the top of it*), you know what I’m sayin’? I feel the God complex. I have one. We have Godly ways, that can touch people. People cry when then see me.
The only reason I don’t think I’m worth the tears that girls cry is because I’m a fuck-up. I’m a clusterfuck.
TSS: It’s all relative.
Tech N9ne: Yeah. But, they’re alike, I guess. They’re like, ‘You’ve got me through so much.’ It feels weird to me. Because, there’s a psycho dude in me that feels like I’m normal. But, my thought process is abnormal. I’m a builder, man. I build things and they spread. When I say “Why you wanna’ try and take my bill ticket, I mean real wicked, I been real livid, I been filled with it, I mean vexed”…I said “try and take my bill ticket.” So, when I say I’m going to create Caribou Lou, we’re going to fight these motherfuckers and we’re going to win. When we put it out, it’s going to take us from millionaires to billionaires. When I put out KC Tea, and everything. There’s so many things I want to build. There’s many ideas, man. So many ideas, to build. And, it feels amazing.
Something Else just came out. Almost three months ago. Still fresh. We’re still on like, our second single. We still have to shoot a video for the single that’s playing right now, “See Me,” with Wiz Khalifa and B.o.B. OK. Then, after that, we have to shoot “Fragile” with Kendall Morgan and Kendrick Lamar and ¡Mayday!. Then, we have to shoot “Believe.” Then, we might have to shoot the one with Trae The Truth and Red Cafe, “With The BS.”
Now, November 5th, Therapy is coming out. As soon as Something Else came out, this Ross Robinson project was right there. ‘These are the days you can do it. Two weeks in LA. Are you cool? I know you just had an album ’ ‘Yes. Come on. This is me on Venice Beach, it’s going to be totally different. And, it is. Building ideas. It’s done already, man. (*Points to back of the bus*) I was listening to the master of it back there. I was like, ‘Wow!’ Just building, man. As it comes. Keep building. Because, if you keep building, something astronomical is going to appear right in front of you.
TSS: That’s impressive. I don’t know many people who can give themselves that type of positive reinforcement. Most people depend on others. You build your own and that’s a unique quality.
Tech N9ne: Yeah, man. But, a builder, like me? To have someone like Travis O’Guin come with capital and say ‘Let’s build these ideas together’? That’s divine (Laughs).
TSS: Right. You can’t put a finger on that shit.
TSS: What are your thoughts on major label record deals in 2014?
Tech N9ne: I don’t know about ‘em. It’s not my world, anymore. I just know that some of the artists I’m interested in have been just sitting on these labels, for years. I don’t like that shit.
That’s why we took Jay Rock off Warner Brothers. That’s why we took Stevie Stone off Ruthless. That’s why if Atlantic don’t quit fucking up, I’m gonna’ snatch Snow Tha Product. She’s supposed to be out, doing her thing. Yeah, she just put out a mixtape. But, fuck that, let her do her album.
TSS: I’m pretty sure I didn’t even get proper press for her mixtape.
Tech N9ne: Yeaaaah. I just retweeted her mixtape. I saw she had 2,000 views in three days. I’m like, ‘Baby girl, you killed it.’ I don’t get anything for that. She’s not my artist. But, I got love for her, because she’s an MC. And, I love MCs. They’re trying to do it. Trying to infect the world and do more. Not just, ‘I’m gonna’ put this down. It’s not going to be together. It’s not going to be rhythmically on time. It’s not going to be in key.’ I don’t like that shit. It works, but I don’t like shit.
TSS: Would you say – and I think the answer is obvious, but I’d like to get your take – would you say you sign artists based on their potential skills, not their potential revenue?
Tech N9ne: Totally, because I think that lasts a long time. If it’s a slow roll, so be it. It was a slow roll with me. But, that shit lasts forever. Look at Tech N9ne. That shit’s crazy. No way we’re back in Forbes. Now way we’re still on the incline. Now way that I’m talking to Five Finger Death Punch about going on tour and that kind of thing. No way that all this rock shit is coming about. No way they’re starting to play our shit on the radio now, after all these years. You know what I’m saying?
I went to the radio station yesterday in Columbus, man, and I’m trying my best not be like “C’mon, man.” But, after all these years…
TSS: Yeah, you’ve worked for that opportunity.
Tech N9ne: Yeah. I know what it’s going to take for world dominance. It’s going to be that radio and that TV, so it’s OK, here we go.
TSS: You’re putting up the studs, for the foundation of your building.
Tech N9ne: Totally, man. Totally. I’m not used to it. So, I have to be nice. It’s hard for me not to be sarcastic. Like yesterday, they gave me the wrong sheet, for the drops. They were like, ‘Oh, this guy’s not working here.’ I’m like, how are we doing this? Just get me the new one. Laughing.
TSS: ‘Yeah. Ha ha. Greeeat’
Tech N9ne: Yeah. Ya’ll mothafuckas wasn’t even expecting us. You got to be ready. We military. When we walk into an establishment that’s supposed to be reputable, we want you to be able to show us you know what the fuck you’re doing.
TSS: The DIY mantra is taking over hip-hop. Damn near every other track I hear has the name ‘work’ in the title. Macklemore’s preaching “10,000 Hours,” the Malcolm Gladwell theme. Yet, you’re the Bob Villa of this rap shit. What’s the most important thing an independent artist can prioritize these days?
Tech N9ne: I’ll tell everybody this. It starts with the music. Without the music, there’s nothing. Of course, you have to get the money to do it, to get it out there for sure. Or, not necessarily anymore, because technology has where you can put it up on YouTube and you’ll get a million views. So, it’s easier for people these days. Not it like it was for us.
I would say, you would have to be not be the only one that agrees you’re dope, or know that it’s good. You have to test it. You’re best friend likes it? OK. Pass it to the next motherfucker in your house. Oh, my God, it’s beautiful. Then, it starts to hit your block. Then, your block recognizes you for your music, like ‘He’s really good.’ Then, it spreads to the next block. Then, it spreads to the club on the next block. Then, it spreads to the DJ. Then, it spreads to the DJ at the radio station. It can happen. But, you have to test it. You can’t be the only one that thinks you’re good. Other people have to agree. That’s my main thing.
People be like, “Tech, look, I’m the best. I’m the hottest.’ Yeah? Because you sound like the dude on the radio? Really? I’m a different type of human being. You don’t have to be master rapper to woe me. But, there has to be some sort of rhythm and feeling in it, for me to say ‘Whoa!’ If I say to you, ‘That ain’t no punk shit,’ that’s a good thing (Laughs).
TSS: (Laughs) Would you say that having a character is important? Some sort of persona to your music?
Tech N9ne: People have to have some kind of persona. You’re a person, so a person should a persona. Whatever your person is. If it’s cool and laid back, then that’s going to be your flow. When I hear King Louie on Kanye’s album, that’s dope. ‘Cuz aggins got cocaine to moooove.’ You know what I’m saying? It sounds like he’s real cool. There’s a persona with that. It’s wonderful.
If it’s ambidextrous and hyperactive, like me, I expect Tech N9ne – by the way I talk, I expect it to be…’I’m on a pilgrimage to the rhyme Mecca, because I’m Tecca/ And this mind left ya, down at the bottom because N9ne’s better/ And if swines ever find the quest to try and test the cleverness/They in a mess bind and yes I sever decay ’em and define pressure.’
Something weird, like ‘what the fuck? (Laughs) You know what I’m saying? Where’d that come from, dude? They don’t know that I’m doing movies and shit. (*In Lords Of The Rings Smigel voice*) ‘Smigel, he stole it from us. My precious!’ You know I’m saying? I watch movies, and they might just pop out. I might just say ‘Bumblebee tuna,’ because I’m an Ace Ventura fan, and people catch it and be like ‘What!?’
TSS: (Laughs) My buddy would love that.
Tech N9ne: (Laughs) You know what I’m saying? It’s everywhere, out here and can you grab from it. It’s information overload, Tech N9ne is.
TSS: But, that’s your thing. You’re an out there kind of kind guy, so you have an out there stage persona to match. That makes a lot of sense. I feel a lot of people don’t get that connection.
Tech N9ne: Yeah, I’m a clusterfuck, man. I embrace it.
TSS: The double-edge sword is that while your hard-earned success pays in full, the grind is also grueling. But, the fact is, you’re 41 years old.
Tech N9ne: 41. Yeah.
TSS: How long can you sustain your pace?
Tech N9ne: Something divine is preserving me. You know what I mean? I don’t know. I’m just thankful, like, ‘What’s about to happen?’ Because, all these young girls, they’re like, ‘You look like you’re 25.’ No, I don’t, bitch. See you see this grey hair? But, I think something divine is preserving me for a reason. I’m supposed to do this. I’m about to be 42, November 8th. That’s really soon. And I feel soooo young and wonderful, man.
I just had my wellness check, two days ago. The doctor, she said, ‘You’re slightly overweight.’ I’m like, ‘I know, I’ve been drinking a lot of Hennessey.’ She said, ‘OK. Yeah, you’re drinkin’ thing. Well, you’re at 175 and supposed to be at 154.’ She said I’m right there. I thought I’d be way worse, you know what I’m saying? But, no, ‘Everything is right on the border. You just need to cut down a few little things. Just a little.’ I’m like, ‘OK!’
TSS: Yeah! That’s a win! (Laughs)
Tech N9ne: (Laughs) You know what I’m saying? So, I feel like something is preserving me and I worry about my bones when I’m up there dancing. I worry about, ‘I hope my ACL don’t tear. I hope my Achilles don’t pop.’ I’m just going, man. I’m a B-Boy. It still comes out. I don’t know. It’s preserving me for something and we’re going to see real soon.
TSS: When I look at that Forbes list, I see cats like Mac Miller. Wiz. Macklemore. Younger guys. The people in your age demographic are like Jay-Z and Eminem. Guys that…do whatever the hell they want. They’re at that stage in their career where they’re dropping music every other year and touring whenever they feel like it, and it’s pretty much warranted. But, you’re on par with those guys now – to a certain extent.
Tech N9ne: Yeah.
TS: Yet, you’re out here on your third tour this year.You’re releasing both an album and EP almost every year. At what point do you take the high road, fall back and let your supply start to tease your demand a little more?
Tech N9ne: It’s not going to happen, man. Because…I’m going doing what the youngsters are doing and I’m doing what the older motherfuckers are doing. They say, ‘If you keep it young, your song is always sung.’ You have to stay in the public eye. You have to stay in their hearts. If I disappear for a year, somebody else is going to take it. I can’t allow that. Yes, all these people that you named are beside me, but they’re on television.
TSS: Right.
Tech N9ne: Don’t let me get on TV. I’m gonna’ win in everyone’s hearts. So, I have to keep going in my lane and keep creating my lane, and get bigger – until it expands into the major lane. Like, ‘Oh shit! Tech N9ne is over here! What the fuck? He’s in Forbes, right next to me? What the fuck is going on?’ I can’t let up. If I let up, it will fizzle. That’s how I feel.
So, I keep it young and I do what the fuck I want to do at the same time. I keep the pace…‘We’re going. We’re going. We’re going. Let’s go. We’re going home!? Fuck that! Let’s go to Austrailia!’ Let’s just go.
For that, I lose my loved ones. Like, My wife and shit. My family and my kids, you know. But, they love me. We still kick it when we’re all together. It’s wonderful. But, I married this music.
TSS: You said on “Straight Out The Gate” that you “quit fuckin’ the music and it became your wife.” Will you be together eternally or do you yourself ever needing separate beds?
Tech N9ne: Nawww. Eternal ‘til I die. The music saved my life and I’m forever in debt. Without this, I have nothing. It saved my life. It helps me take care of my family. My wife turned 39 yesterday. She’s good, out there in LA. She’s good. My kids…Aaliyah just checked into her all girls college in Berkeley. I got my son a brand new car, for his graduation. Dontez, in Kansas City. Gave Aaliyah my Benz. Happy graduation, you know what I’m saying?
It’s like, (the music) saved my life, man. So, I’m gonna’ do this shit. I going to do this shit until…I don’t know if I’ll ever get whack, man. The more I learn, the more dangerous I’m going to be.
For more on Tech N9ne, make sure to pre-order the upcoming ‘Therapy’ EP he’ll be dropping with Ross Robinson on November 5, his latest ‘Something Else’ album and the concurring tour, which is currently shutting down a city near you.