Tech N9ne started rapping in the 1980s, earned a reputation an innovative artist in the 1990s, became an independent Rap juggernaut in the 2000s and is set to release his new album Something Else July 30. Given his staying power in the Rap game, the Kansas City, Missouri artist is feeling like a famous character he referenced on his 2010 Seepage EP.
“I’m feeling more and more like Dracula everyday,” Tech N9ne says in an exclusive interview with HipHopDX. “He’s supposed to be immortal. He’s been here for centuries. It seems like in the Hip Hop game, I feel like Dracula because I’ve been here for the rise and fall of a lot of major emcees and I’m still on the incline. It feels like every time I look in the mirror, every year I get older, but I’ve started looking like I’m in my 20s. They call me ‘Alucard,’ Dracula backwards because it’s like I’ll be here [forever]. Since I’ve been rapping, I’ve seen so many emcees come and go and I’ve been rapping just as long and I keep on having new life every time I do an album. Why wouldn’t I feel immortal? “
According to the Something Else tracklist Tech N9ne released yesterday (June 26), the Strange Music artist bridges sounds, styles and genres from a variety of eras on his forthcoming album. Rock icons and his main inspiration The Doors appear on “Strange 2013,” a reworking of the band’s 1967 song “Strange Days.” Tech N9ne teams with Cee Lo, Big K.R.I.T. and Kutt Clahoun for “That’s My Kid,” a song about making personal sacrifices for the benefit of your children. He also collaborates with Serj Tankian of metal band System Of A Down and Krizz Kaliko on “Straight Out The Gate.” Yesterday (June 26), Tech N9ne also released the stream for the Something Else song “See Me” with B.o.B. and Wiz Khalifa.
In addition to the release of Something Else, Tech N9ne will be appearing as a main performer at Rock The Bells 2013 and is working on an EP named Therapy with producer Ross Robinson.
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As much as Tech N9ne considers himself like Dracula, he says there is a major difference between himself and the famous vampire. “The only difference is, I don’t bite,” Tech N9ne says. “Nothing, from nobody. I innovate.”
