Tech N9ne Lists Kendrick Lamar Among His Top 9 Emcees

    Tech N9ne was recently asked to list his Top 9 emcees, including all rappers whether they are dead or alive. 

    “Eminem is in there,” Tech N9ne said during the interview with Columbus, Ohio radio station Power 107.5. “Tech N9ne is in there. Tupac is in there. The Notorious B.I.G. is in there. Big L is in there. Nas is in there. Jay Z is in there. Kendrick Lamar is in there. And one more. Let’s see. It’s gotta be somebody good, man.”

    After a pensive moment, Tech N9ne said the ninth slot would be decided between two emcees. 

    “It’s between KRS-One and Rakim,” Tech said. “Aw, man. I wish it was 10, man. Then I’d be perfect, but 9. I’ma say KRS-One. He did things that made me want to rap. I’ve been in the crowd when he did ‘The Bridge is Over.’ I’ve been in the crowd when Prince used to have Glam Slam down in downtown L.A. back in the day, back in like ’93, I was in the crowd. I’ve been right there with BDP. Rest in peace, Scott La Rock. I’m a humungous fan. Not taking nothing away from Rakim because I’m a humungous fan as well, but I’ll say KRS-One for my 9.”

    Kendrick Lamar is the youngest rapper mentioned by Tech N9ne in the list. Tech has been a supporter of Kendrick Lamar, most recently featuring the Compton, California emcee on a “Fragile,” a song off his 2013 album, Something Else. In August, Tech N9ne praised Kendrick Lamar for his verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” 

    “My reaction was, ‘Yeah, nigga. Wake these motherfuckers up,’” Tech N9ne said during an August interview with MONTREALITY. “Everybody’s so lazy, man. I always raise my bar. My bar is always raised, every album. ‘He’s A Mental Giant’ to ‘So Dope’ or whatever you listen to that Tech N9ne is technical. It’s always pushing my peers to go even harder when they do a song with me, so for Kendrick to take it a step further, say names and shit, is really waking niggas up and if anybody got a problem with my lil homie, I got his back. Sorry and shit. Let’s go.”

    Tech N9ne, who named himself as part of his Top 9 emcees, recently spoke with HipHopDX about feeling immortal as an artist.

    “I’m feeling more and more like Dracula everyday,” Tech N9ne said in an exclusive interview with HipHopDX in June. “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? “

    Tech N9ne’s interview with Power 107.5 can be viewed below.

    RELATED: Tech N9ne Feels “Immortal,” Compares Himself To Dracula

    173 thoughts on “Tech N9ne Lists Kendrick Lamar Among His Top 9 Emcees

    1. This crazy loon thinks he’s Dracula hahaha Lay off the pipe, Tech, and get some taste in rappers. The real gangstas are nowhere on your fake list.

      1. FAG, DRAKE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A CLASSIC ALBUM TO HIS NAME, HE HAS AVERAGE MUNDANE BARS AT BEST, AND IS AVERAGE VOCALLY, 40, mike zombie, boi 1da and T – minus are keeping his career on life support. And drake will NEVER be a GOAT at all, to any hiphop head.

    2. SAD STORY:

      Jayz – “Kanye, what you do to mi car?”

      Kanye – “I scratched your corolla”

      Jayz – “Pleez dont lie kanye.”

      Kanye – “Ok, I smashed your corolla”

      Jayz – “Fuck”

      Comment if you cried.

    3. Is this the same Tech Nine from the Carter 4 album? I remember Lil Wayne discovering him a couple years ago when he came home from Jail. He’s an okay rapper but he’s too new to put himself in the top 9. Kendrick shouldn’t be in their either, but he’s close. Good kid made city was good, Section 80 was alright, Control System was bad. Also I think Drake should be in the top 9, especially with the release of his new album.

      1. LOL. You have got to be kidding me… Somebody got out of Junior High School too early today, go back and do some research and you’ll see Tech’s been in the game longer than you’ve probably been alive. Don’t even consider yourself a fan of hip-hop till you get kdots album name right, and learn who the fuck is really poppin in this shit

      2. bro get back in your lane, tech’s been doing this shit since early 90’s just cause you heard of him now doesn’t mean he was there before.

      3. Too new? You realize Tech N9ne is 41 years old and has been rapping since the early 90’s and has owned his own label since 2002. Lil Wayne DIDN’T discover Tech N9ne, he thought of Tech N9ne like the boogey man so Tech N9ne went and visited Wayne while he was locked up several times. The many visits while Wayne was locked up formed a bond between the two of them, that’s why Wayne had Tech on the Carter IV album. Tech N9ne has also did a song with Eminem called The Anthem off of Sway & King Tech’s This or That album from 99.

      4. Hahahahaha!
        Did this moron just say when Lil Wayne discovered Tech N9ne????????????????????
        Tech N9ne and Lil Wayne are on completely different levels,
        Lil Wayne for girls & kids
        Tech n9ne for grown ups who like lyrics & flow.
        Then he says Drake should be on the list….hahahahaha!
        ARE YOU KIDDING ME???????

    4. accurate list, I also have kendrick in mine because of his classic album, thought it was overrated but nop, masterpiece

      1. I thought the same shit. I got so sick of hearing about Kendrick, I almost started to hate. Listened to the Album, ate some crow.

    5. At least everyone was lyrical in his list …but he could have taken Big L off and added Rakim…Rakim did more ..he for got Jada, LL, and DMX but he had a good list for being on the spot …Tech nine is a beast though

    6. 1. Eminem
      2. Lil Wayne
      3. Rick Ross
      4. Big Sean
      5. Drake
      6. ASAP Rocky
      7. Tyler, The Creator
      8. Mac Miller
      9. Tyga
      10. Meek Mill

    7. Seriously, K-Dot? Let him prove his self first. This is Dead-or-Alive!

      My top nine no paticular order

      Jay-Z
      Tupac
      Notorious B.I.G.
      Eminem
      Nas
      Rakim
      KRS-One
      LL Cool J
      Big Daddy Kane

    8. TOP 9 GREATEST RAPPERS EVER!

      1. Loon
      2. Murphy Lee
      3. Tela
      4. Drag-On
      5. Magoo
      6. Special Ed
      7. Silkk the Shocker
      8. Rich Boy
      9. Rampage

    9. 1. 50 Cent
      2. Nelly
      3. DMX
      4. Lil Jon
      5. Ja Rule
      6. Game
      7. Chingy
      8. Busta Rhymes
      9. Missy Elliott
      10. P. Diddy

    10. Rakim
      Nas
      KRS-One
      Black Thought
      Grandmaster Caz
      Melle Mel
      Big Daddy Kane
      Kool G Rap
      Kool Moe Dee
      Ghostface Killah

      Honorable Mention: Big L, Tupac, Biggie, Eminem, Masta Ace, LL Cool J, Raekwon, AZ, Andre 3000, Scarface, GZA, Guru, Prodigy, One Be Lo, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, Chuck D, RZA, Q-Tip

      Lots of great artists, its too hard to pick just 10

      Reposted for prime real estate, gotta respect the greats and their timelesswork

    11. how can u lil weird bastards argue with what he likes….he said its his favorite…your favorite is your favorite and his favorite is his…..you goofies if you like chicken better than shrimp how can u argue that….yall mafuckaz weird

      1. You have to remember that the weirdos on this site can’t speak their mind in real life without being ridiculed, so they have to get it all out on here.

    12. 1.Eminem (of course)
      2.Macklemore
      3.Kreayshawn
      4.Yelawolf
      5.Vanilla Ice
      6.Iggy Azalea
      7.Mac Miller
      8.Asher Roth
      9.Drake

    13. styles p – hardest out spits for the streets and actually has done what he raps about
      Eminem – incredible flow n lyrics
      jadakiss – never heard a wack verse so dope
      nas- gotta be in everyones top 10 at least
      ghostface killah – his storytelling is the best really does paint pictures in his raps real detailled

      1. That you Quoteman?

        Unlike Erik Estrada, Don Johnson and Tom Sizemore, The Godfather is very well known amongst people of all ages. Nice try though.

    14. 1. Eminem (king of rap)
      2. Biggie
      3. Tupac
      4. Tyler the cretor
      5. 50 Cent
      6. Nas
      7. Tech N9ne
      8. Dmx
      9. The Game

    15. 1. Kanye West
      2. Joe Budden
      3. Drake
      4. J. Cole
      5. Kid Cudi
      6. Lupe Fiasco
      7. Jay-Z
      8. Tech N9ne
      9. Kendrick Lamar

    16. 1. Rick Ross
      2. Rick Ross
      3. Teflon
      4. Ricky Rozay
      5. William Roberts
      6. Rick Ross
      7. Rick Ross
      8. MC Gusto
      9. Carl Winslow

      @BruthaDee

    17. Top 9 In No Order:

      Andre 3000
      Eminem
      Snoop (we’re talking MC’s right?)
      Jay Z
      Tech N9ne
      Busta Rhymes (slept on)
      Redman (soo slept on)
      B.I.G.
      Pac’
      Rakim

      Honerables:
      Nas
      Kanye
      KRS
      50
      Big Boi
      Twista
      Several Wu Tang members

      New Guys:
      Kendrick
      Yelawolf

    18. 1) drake
      2) lil wayne
      3) nicki minaj
      4) tyga
      5) the game
      6) rick ross
      7) meek mill
      8) wiz khalifa
      9) juicy j
      10) old eminem

    19. 1. Eminem
      2. 2Pac
      3. Jay-Z
      4. BIGGIE
      5. Kendrick Lamar
      6. Snoop Dogg
      7. Rakim
      8. Lil Wayne
      9. Dr. Dre
      10. 50 Cent

    20. TOP 10 RAPPERS AT THIS VERY SECOND (NOT GUARANTEED TO LAST TO THE NEXT SECOND)

      1. Kendrick Lamar
      2. Eminem
      3. Drake
      4. Nas
      5. J. Cole
      6. Jay-Z
      8. A$AP Rocky
      9. B.o.B.
      10. Wiz Khalifa

    21. 1. Lil’ Wayne
      2. Birdman
      3. Drake
      4. Paris Hilton
      5. Bow Wow
      6. Limp Bizkit
      7. Juvenile
      8. B.G.
      9. Corey Gunz
      10. Jae Millz

      1. I was kidding guys here is my real top 10
        1. Lil’ Wayne’s Dick
        2. Birdman’s Dick
        3. Drake’s Pussy
        4. Gucci Mane’s Dick
        5. Tyga’s Dick
        6. 2Pac’s ashes (the ones that used to be his dick, ohhhhh yeses)
        7. Big Sean’s Dick
        8. BIGGIE DICK
        9. Me
        10. My ****

      2. I need to make a correction on my 2nd top 10….on #9, instead of “me” it should be “Paris Hilton’s strap-on”….that girl can throw that dildo!!!!

    22. 1.Rakim
      2.Nas
      3.The Notorious B.I.G
      4.Big L
      5.Tupac
      6.Big Pun
      7.Kool G Rap
      8.Kendrick Lamar
      9.Krs One
      10.Ice Cube

    23. Unless your one of the greatest rappers out there, no one ever cares about you past the age of 35, and none of those guys can make it past 45.

      1. HOW DO YOU KNOW? I BET EMINEM WILL STILL BE RAPPING IN 4 YEARS WHEN HE TURNS 45.

        NAS WILL STILL BE GOING IN 5 YEARS TOO WHEN HE GETS TO 45

        BLACK THOUGHT ONLY HAS 3 YEARS TO GO, AND EVERYONE STILL CARES ABOUT HIM.

    24. “The Godfather is very well known amongst people of all ages. Nice try though”

      Nice try half a man, AKA Grandfather time. You just exposed yourself again. And why are you talking about Tom Sizemore and Erik Estrada? I bet you’re watching what show again, Chips, on Blu Ray right now lol Sad little troll.

      1. 1. Mike Jones
        2. Mike Jones
        3. Mike Jones
        4. Mike Jones
        5. Mike Jones
        6. Mike Jones
        7. Mike Jones
        8. Mike Jones
        9. Mike Jones
        10. Mike Jones

    25. 1. Big L
      2. Nacho Picasso
      3. Action Bronson
      4. Roc Marciano
      5. Boldy James
      6. Curren$y
      7. Freddie Gibbs
      8. Big KRIT
      9. Vince Staples
      10. Anyone from Pro-Era

    26. 1. Eminem
      2. Tech N9ne
      3. B.o.B
      4. Ab-Soul
      5. KiD CuDi
      6. Lupe Fiasco
      7. 50 Cent
      8. A$AP Rocky
      9. Kendrick Lamar

    27. “you’re the one who’s referenced erik and and sizemore on this website”

      And you referenced Chips, and keep talking about Tom Sizemore and countless others. Just admit you like those actors and move on.

    28. Jayz slowly going down my list..hell always be top 7 but after that lazy shit he claled MCHG. he def slid down.

    29. Rakim
      Nas
      KRS-One
      Black Thought
      Grandmaster Caz
      Melle Mel
      Big Daddy Kane
      Kool G Rap
      Kool Moe Dee
      Ghostface Killah

      Honorable Mention: Big L, Tupac, Biggie, Eminem, Masta Ace, LL Cool J, Raekwon, AZ, Andre 3000, Scarface, GZA, Guru, Prodigy, One Be Lo, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, Chuck D, RZA, Q-Tip, Guru, Planet Asia, etc etc etc

      Top 10 New School
      Roc Marciano
      Freddie Gibbs
      Kendrick Lamar
      CJ Fly
      Skyzoo
      Ab-Soul
      Big KRIT
      Black Milk (who is one of the best all around artists I have heard in a while)
      Blu
      Rapsody

      Lots of great artists, its too hard to pick just 10

      Reposted for prime real estate, gotta respect the greats and their timelesswork

      1. I said Eminem is an honorable mention, but you can’t just put him about the guys that started this shit (Caz and Melle Mel)

      1. i guess i was thinkn nice punchlines once i saw emcee n not rapper. but then itd just be a list of mook n all them battle cats… its kinda hard to compare dudes, or decide what criteria to go by. i still say raekwon top 10. n cass is still nice if ntn else for smokin freeway

      2. everybodies top 10 is gonna be different. if you like cass that much theres nothing wrong with that i shouldnt have said that shit cause its your opinion and theres no right or wrong list

    30. 1. Eminem
      2. Kurupt
      3. Pac
      4. Nas
      5. Jay
      6. Big
      7. Redman
      8. Method Man
      9. KRS-One

      Admit it .. My list is on Fire

    31. My question is why do people hate JayZ?

      I respect you if you just don’t like his music. But some people call him a sellout?

      why is it that so many blacks will only celebrate you as long as you dont get too much success? I’ll tell you. because those of us who think that way are the REAL enemy. you allow someone to program the idea in your head that blacks can’t be but so successful before they are considered a sell-out. it’s like a tax bracket. you good until you pass a certain success level. then you are a sell-out. Yall don’t even realize that this is a slave mentality.

      I’ve never seen a white person call Eminem a sellout lol

      1. @anon

        i dont know about him thinking hes actually the best lyracist, i think he feels hes an elite lyricist, but i think its more so about the fact not only himself, but tns of other “undergound” rappers are far more lyrical and skillful than the dudes that are on the radio and selling the most albums.

    32. 1. lil wayne
      2. nas
      3. drake
      4. waka flocka
      5. young jeezy
      6. mf doom
      7. future
      8. black thought
      9. kool g rap
      10. snoop dogg

    33. Best Rappers:

      1. Drake
      2. The Game
      3. Big Pun
      4. LL Cool J
      5. Dizzee Rascal
      6. Kool G Rap
      7. Cam’ron
      8. Kendrick Lamar
      9. Nas

      1. The fact Drake and Dizzee rascal have made your list in those positions or are even on that list at all shows you have VERY LITTLE hiphop knowledge.

    34. LAST TIME PEOPLE WERE CALLING A RECENT RAPPER ONE OF THE GOATS WAS WHEN EMINEM CAME OUT

      WHEN THAT HAPPENS, YOU KNOW THEY’RE SOMETHING SPECIAL

    35. ARE YOU F#$KING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW? DRAKE? 40, boi 1da, mike zombie and T-minus are keeping that dudes career on life support, reconsider your life decisions.

    36. Top 10, dead or alive

      1) Nas
      2) Tupac
      3) Biggie
      4) Big L
      5) Krs one
      6) Rakim
      7) Kool G rap
      8) Andre 3000
      9) Scarface
      10)Ghostface killah

    37. Top 10 dead or alive

      1 – Rakim
      2 – Kool G Rap
      3 – Ice Cube
      4 – KRS-One
      5 – Scarface
      6 – Chuck D
      7 – Melle Mel
      8 – Big Daddy Kane
      9 – Nas
      10 – 2Pac

    38. The 5 Most Overrated MCs In This Stories Comments:

      1. Jay Z (The most overrated MC of all time.)
      2. Tupac (Thug idiot praised for nothing.)
      3. Ice Cube (Lyrically innept wannabe gangster racist.)
      4. Immortal Tech (Pseudo intellectual conspiracy theorist and expert on historical fiction.)
      5. Snoop (Pothead moron.)

      1. lmao you’re dumb as fuck. just say you don’t like rap and keeping it moving if you’re gonna be making a complaint for every rapper you list. Cube ain’t racist either LOL.

    39. This list may seem stupid, as I’m just getting into Rap, but, here’re the ones I’ve listened to, and actually liked.

      1. Hopsin
      2. Macklemore
      3. Tech N9ne
      4. Eminem
      5. Snoop Dogg
      6. Kendrick Lamar

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