Tech N9ne may not be a household name yet, but he’s quietly become one of Hip Hop’s most successful independent artists ever. With some recognition comes the criticism, which Tech’s seen plenty of. Through it all, however, he has worked hard to build his underground empire into a consistent machine. To this point, All 6’s and 7’s is potentially a breakout album, one that showcases why Tech has been so successful thus far and why he can break into even greater heights with versatile styles and a balanced effort.
Tech takes this balanced approach throughout All 6’s and 7’s. Bringing established emcees together with newcomers, Tech offers up something for everyone without losing his own perspective. Examples of this balance lie in “Am I a Psycho,” where he shares the mic with B.o.B. and Hopsin. They are also seen when Yelawolf shares the mic with Busta Rhymes and other global spitters on “Worldwide Choppers.”
Later, Lil Wayne appears alongside Krizz Kaliko (“Fuck Food”), who also appears with E-40 and Snoop Dogg (“Pornographic”). The balance goes beyond guest spots, allowing Tech to write about a variety of topics with an array of flows, cadences and instrumentals, tapping into different emotions.
It is that lyricism that goes unheard sometimes. Understandably, it’s easy to get caught up in the rapid, what-did-he-just-say nature of N9ne’s flow, but it is his lyrical ability that truly makes him shine. He doesn’t just rhyme fast for the sake of it. His verses, their rhyme schemes and his rhyme patterns are as well thought-out as his delivery choices. “Am I in the Twilight Zone? ‘Cause my mic’s on but I never thought the world would buy my songs,” he shares on “Strangeland.” This candid style of rhyme is something one can expect. After all, on “I Love Music,” Tech explains that music, “saved my life, paid my lights [and] made my wife say, ‘Bye, bye.’” On “Delusional,” he then adds, “She said that I’m a good provider, but ‘Daddy of the Year?’ She said I’m out of that race.” Introspection aside, he tackles a variety of topics showing that beyond his furious flow, Tech can hold his own as a lyricist.
As mentioned, a commendable balance exists on this album. Tech N9ne balances established veterans with newcomers, high-energy rhymes with substance filled bars and heavy beats with softer melodies. Keeping the listener intrigued, All 6’s and 7’s doesn’t disappoint as a well-balanced offering. In fact, this album has the potential of being his breakout release, an effort that may very well recruit more “Technicians” to his ever-growing fan base.
