The Strange Music camp descended on the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado for a sold out show on Saturday night (October 19).
During what was intended to be Krizz Kaliko’s last performance of the year (and possibly ever) with Tech N9ne, Kali shocked Strange Music CEO Travis O’Guin, Tech and the entire Red Rocks crowd when he announced he’s decided to stick with the longstanding Kansas City imprint, the same one he’s been with since 1999.
It was an undeniably emotional moment for everyone involved. Krizz, Tech and O’Guin all shed tears as he explained his decision.
“I read your comments, man,” Krizz began. “Y’all had me crying like a bitch. I ain’t lyin’. I cried, man. I’ve been back and forth on this shit for years. I know y’all know I haven’t put anything out since GO. I haven’t put out any music for like three and a half years, man. I was fucked up, man. I ain’t gonna lie. My children miss me, you know what I’m sayin’, but y’all are also my family so I had to explain this shit to you y’all. I’m gonna be honest, man. I’m here to serve the world, man.
“I’m a servant of this planet. I know that, man. You told me for years that I saved your life. Y’all saved my life, for real. I would not be shit. I was a funny, fat-looking kid from Kansas City that they told would not make it. The guy that even put me and Tech together said I would have to put makeup on my face and I’d have to lose weight and y’all accept this fat, funny looking motherfucker, man. Thank you so much for all of these years.”
Krizz continued, “One more thing, I went into a depression — I know you heard the music, it’s not fiction — Travis and Tech gave me a contract to sign years ago. They were gracious enough … I’ve still been rockin’ with Tech all this time with no contract for the last three and a half years; just a handshake. That’s my brothers. My family’s been missing me, man.
“I was frustrated with myself. I was frustrated with the fuckin’ world for everybody not gettin’ my music. I ain’t gonna lie — I was frustrated with Tech and with Travis. That’s real. I was fucked up and I decided to leave Strange Music, man. Real shit. That’s the first time I ever got boo’ed, too.”
Soon, the crowd started to chant “Kali” in unison while Krizz admitted he was considering walking away from it all.
“Not only did I decide to leave Strange Music, but I started doing voiceover work,” he said. “I actually got a big role coming up. But I decided to even quit music, man. I felt like, ‘Fuck everybody for not getting the message.’
“I fought through fuckin’ depression as you’ve heard me talk about. My kids miss me every time I leave the house. They cry every time I leave. Matter of fact, make some noise for my wife. She’s here tonight.”
At that point, Krizz’s wife Crystal Watson took the stage rocking an adidas track jacket, red heels and a matching red purse. With tears welling up in his eyes he said, “Let me tell you what she said. I told her I was quitting. She said, ‘There’s no fucking way you can quit.’
Krizz then asked her, “Did you bring what I told you to bring?” On cue, she pulled out several sheets of paper and handed them to Krizz.
“This is the contract that Travis and Tech gave me three years ago,” he said, noticeably choked up. “I went back and forth like a motherfucker. Fuck that. I knew if I was going to make any decision like this, I had to do it in the place that’s given us the most love. I don’t give a fuck what nobody says. This place has given us more love than anybody in the fuckin’ world!
As the crowd roared with applause, Krizz continued, “This is the contract they gave me. I told them that I was not coming back, but y’all are my fuckin’ family and I want to sign this fuckin’ contract in Denver, man!”
Tech paced behind him in the background, pounding his chest as a symbol of gratitude and wiping tears from his face.
“I fuckin’ love you!” Krizz shouted. “Kali forever, baby!”
Finally, Krizz and his wife embraced as Tech walked over. The two longtime collaborators hugged and Tech yelled, “Make some noise for the newest member of Strange Music! Big Krizz Kaliko!
O’Guin confirmed Krizz was leaving Strange Music in an exclusive statement to HipHopDX earlier this month.
It clearly took everyone by surprise that Krizz had changed his mind. O’Guin, who had to endure weeks of hateful comments on social media regarding Krizz’s departure, told DX at the Red Rock show the contract Krizz was holding in his hand was actually dated 2017.
With Krizz officially back on the Strange Music roster, new projects are definitely on the horizon.
Check back with DX later this week for an exclusive interview with Krizz and O’Guin about the sudden turn of events and watch the full video below.
Fuck. I really wanted him to try his luck elsewhere. Only one artist making serious money on strange and thats tech
So when did you become the CEO of Strange Music? Because unless you’re in the room when those negotiations are happening you have no idea who’s making how much bread. Krizz is an integral part of the SM family and I’m sure he’s handsomely compensated for his immense contributions. But I wouldn’t claim to know, because I don’t work for/with them. Tech also helped get Krizz to where he is so he kind of owes him for that. Without Strange Music, it’s hard to say if we’d even know who Krizz Kaliko is.
Networth is known. Between $1-2 million.
Sounds good. My net worth is less than $20K hahaha.
Tech has been pretty up front about not paying for features, he always claims they do it for the love. Krizz has a ton of features on Tech tracks. There’s a good chance he’s minimally compensated for those. But Strange tours hard year in, year out. Krizz is likely along on most of those tours. That’s where the money’s at to begin with.
Good to see you back on the label Krizz, that roster has been depleting the last few years. Mayday, rittz, cutt Calhoun, jay rock. The most recognizable names all gone.
Pretty sure ¡Mayday! is still part of the label
It’s a nice thought, but he’s way too old to find success without a cosign from someone established like Tech.
Fuck yes!!
I was at this concert and this moment was so damn good. They were both emotional for the rest of the night.
This dude sells a 1000 copies per album, physical copies and streams. Where you think he was going
still makes more than your broke ass
So how many copies have you sold? How many albums have you made? Do you have a studio in your mom’s basement? Stop being a troll and get a hobby, or life. How many times have your personal demons been released to millions of people leaving you raw, vulnerable and exposed to criticism?
This shit seems so weird like it’s more than a music contract he’s signing.
No big chance for krizz to sign a mainstream label. SM is the best choice
Its mr. Kali baby. How u been? From here to Iraq, that’s how we live!
This shit is gay as fuck but I can’t stop crying. DONT JUDGE ME
I lovze he is not leaving I just started listening to you guys and I lovze your new songs out efu is my favorite thank you for what u
They Don’t Ignore When You’re Strange ?
Yeeeessss!! Love you Krizz!!????
Who????? Y’all reporting on these barely known rappers. Shit, Y’all might as well report on ME. I need a deal. Wouldn’t sign with this goofy label tho. Who listens to Tech Nine? Dude rap skills are equivalent to a .22.
Thats why Strange Music is a multi million dollar label and Tech and Kalli keep selling out shows all across the world not just here in the states. QUIT BEING A HATER & focus more on YOUR CAREER and I’m sure you’ll get that contact you say you need. Or start your own label like Tech and Travis. Travis and Tech are kingpins in this industry and what have you done in this industry?
Barely known rappers bro? You do realize Tech has been in the game since the 80’s right? This cat has shit with Legendary artists such as Tupac all the way to Wayne ( Who I don’t like myself ) like. But every single one of these rappers came to HIM, not the other way around. I’ve been listening to Tech since 97 when Anghellic was first released, I went to a KMK/Twiztid/ICP/Bone Thugs concert where he opened for all of them and the next time I saw him after that he was headlining past all of them. He is one of the very few rappers in this world that is known around the globe and he didn’t even have to use mainstream media to accomplish this. So the next time you say barely known rappers I suggest you do your homework cuz this dude right here has literally changed the music industry and still is.
Right on Bro. These clowns who don’t know Tech are fools. They need to listen to Blacken the Sun or Harvey Dent.
The f()ck is this, WWE?
No its deez nuts bitch
FucK all these haters man. Strange Music Bitch!!!!!
Met krizz back on the kod tour. Was do fuckin cool man. Beast mode. Kali baby!!!!
It goes UP!