Tech N9ne is one of the most remarkable independent success stories in Hip Hop. The Strange Music member achieved a mass of fans, dubbed “Technicians,” through years of grinding. Two of his last three albums debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. So naturally, Tech Nina has some celebrating to do, and he titled his most recent effort Dominion — the sixth in his “Collabos” series — to put a stamp on his success and highlight his future aspirations. Unfortunately, a lack of focus keeps this album from living up to its title.
Tech has followed a formula over the years. Many of his albums are 20 tracks or more and carry a free-for-all feel that includes loads of features and disconnected topics. Technicians love this, and as it has brought Tech his aforementioned success, one can see why he would stick with his shtick. However, Dominion has a been-there, done-that feel. Many of the cuts employ impressive rhyme schemes, but we’ve heard Tech’s rapid-fire flow over dark production so many times over the years. This album, with its victory-lap sentiments, was a chance for him to step outside of his comfort zone. Instead, much of the album are songs of his signature ilk that don’t offer much variation from his abnormal norm. For instance, “Casket Music” features stellar lyricism over musically enticing production, but Tech spitting aggressively has been become his calling card to the point it should be sold at Hallmark. If familiarity doesn’t breed contempt here, it certainly attracts dust.
Poor sequencing and its length don’t help matters, either. The interview skits on which Tech reflects on his career are captivating but don’t reappear after the introduction until midway through on track 16. At 24 tracks, there is far too much filler for the album to stay captivating throughout. Songs like the unnecessary “Take You Down” and the hard-rock ear-sore that is “Jesus and a Pill” are even less enjoyable coming in at the album’s close.
An album like Dominion would have been better served by a more structured approach that included a tighter focus on reflection. There are moments that tie in with the theme, most notably “Salute.” The song’s bouncy feel, energetic horns and Tech’s assertions that this is only the beginning will make listeners want to jump out of their seats. By contrast, “Angels in the Playground,” serves as a touching tribute to Tech’s mother. “‘Cause when mama chose the cloud to flee/That night I saw the moon smile at me/At first I thought ‘I’m going crazy,’/Then that smile got bigger and I felt that pretty lady,” he rhymes with a calm, almost eerie passion.
With 18 full-length LPs under his belt, Dominion may not ranks amongst the top of the stack but is by no means a terrible album. Many of the songs are strong and most of the guests provide solid turns; including labelmates Krizz Kaliko (on multiple cuts) and Brotha Lynch Hung on “Bacon.” However, like many instances on the “Collabos” projects, there are times Tech becomes a spectator at his own party. Therein lies the recurring weakness in Dominion: an album that should have asserted its composer’s superiority is plagued by a lack of direction.
This is the first Collabos album to sound like a Strange Music album instead of another Tech N9ne album. Excellent playlist of songs if you are into the various artists on Strange. The marketing for the album emphasized Dominion’s focus on artists signed to the label that are not Tech N9ne. Definitely a top 2 Collabos for me.
Tech N9ne, dropping garbage since the 90s.
this the man who backstabbed all them juggalos.. straight up spat on they face, fuckin ungrateful piece of shit
It’s crazy how he got all that exposure fuckin with ICP and the Juggalo gatherings, straight up copied the whole Strange Music movement off Psychopathic records, and still turned his back. Ungrateful unloyal motherfuckers everywhere.
If he copied ICP “movement” then why isnt ICP so successfull? Tech has been successful for the last 15 years, where is ICP now? Nowhere. The truth is TDE and Kendrick Lamar copied Strange Music “movement’. They copied their strategy, their music(Check out Section 80 by Kendrick), their promotions, etc. This is a known Fact. TDE are big Strange Music Fans and if it wasnt for Techn N9ne, Kendrick would’ve never signed with Dr. Dre. Black Hippy wouldnt be so big without them copying Strange Music. If im not mistaken Jay Rock came out 1st with his solo album, which was release on Strange Music. After that everything hit off for them. TDE must be some ungrateful loyal motherfuckers since they turned their back on Tech N9ne? Nonsense, you are just a hater. Your life must be miserable and I really feel sorry for yo mama. Stop spreading misinformation
Truth
I fuck with tecca nina and the album show me as long u have loyal fans u don’t need to change for anybody else people wanting this dude to be part of the norm but his music strange and I love it
Tech hasn’t dropped a good album in years. It’s sad af.
His music now only appeals to school shooters and “reel hip hop” kids.
Versus other rappers that appeals to black kids shooting other blacks? You havent heard 1 Tech album in your life. FOH go back to lil yacthy
Tech has never made music for the mainstream, every Technicians knows that. Tech N9ne makes music for his fans, thats why he stays successful and is Number 1.
Then why has he used the mainstream formula so hard over the last 5-6 years with features from mainstream artist.
Those “features” are not mainstream. Every song Tech did with a mainstream rapper doesnt have the mainstream sound but the Strange music sound. If you put a Tech n9ne song on the Radio it would feel… STRANGE! So no… Tech n9ne is not doing mainstream music, he has other people doing his style of music. Big difference. This is why he is Number 1 independent Artist and makes millions without a Major Label. He has his own style and it works.
So what, he started the whole get some random dude to sing an RnB chorus thing before the mainstream? He is the first person to do party songs about drugs, sex, and alcohol? He’s the first to use a trap beat or the Migos flow? Don’t get me wrong, Tech is a great rhymer, but he has sold out hard in the last 10 years. Pretty much the only people who still like Tech are surburban white kids who think that listening to Tech makes them “hard” or unique, or who just plain don’t listen to any hip-hop.
White person triggered!
Racist arguing a strawman. Never said anything about black teenagers. Most of Tech’s fans are suburban white kids who don’t listen to hip-hop or who thinks that listening to Tech allows them to front like they are hard or some shit. Kinda like you, except you hit the trifecta with being a dumbass racist human cesspool. I WANT you find to me and say all of those things to me to my face. White cowards like you are so tough on the internet, but I’d love to see what you are like in real life. Probably some pasty fatass on meth.
Horrible album. I’m a long-time fan of Strange, but this is just way off for me. It had some promise on a couple of songs, but I expected so much more from this.
-bland rap/rock beats -rapping 1000 miles an hour -cheesy songs for clubs and women -typical sings about depression and the industry -CHAAAA! after every bar. There, saved you guys an hour plus of your time from listening to this. If you heard one Tech album, then you heard them all.
That’s because you listen to bullshit, fool.
His music is just not good, tech can spit but the music sucks as far as subject matter, production
I’m not a Strange Music fan but Rittz is dope as hell. @errorjordan
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Why does everybody wanna judge other peoples work. If you dont like it dont listen to it and bitch about it period.
It’s a free country, bitch. If we don’t like something, we’re free to express it.
Why does everybody wanna judge other people’s opinions. If you don’t like it, don’t listen to it and bitch about it, period. Also, “judging,” just like criticism, can be positive or negative. By rating this mediocre album a 5/5, you are engaging the act that you criticize. Dumbass.
It has to be said if you don’t like something.
Who cares about ICP or Juggalos. They are corny as hell. That being said, this album is cheesy.
This piece of shit web site, go fix your fucking comment section you broke black muthafuckaz
Aww, you mad people have different opinions?
No, tthe comment system is fucked up, you broke black degenerate that cant read
I can’t simply take hiphopdx review seriously since they give 4/5 to Drake albums.
Dominion is the worst Tech N9ne album,but this review is just terrible,they didn’t give any serious arguments to prove that they didn’t like the album.
just because you don’t like what they wrote doesn’t mean they didn’t give any serious arguments.
You mad you hipster nerds? Rage some more never compare drake to this irrelevant hasbeen.
Tech really hasn’t really put anything out worth a listen these days and this album is no different. Shit I’d give it a 2/5 if that.
This album is pretty good for a quickly produced album. I like it a lot especially Some Good.
The album is a bit of the same thing, but the reviewer fails to acknowledge this is a “collabos” album.. Its not about tech. To me this is more of a promo album for his artists.
Uninspired, lazily put together project from an artist I’ve been following for a long time. Disappointment that shows the quantity over quality mentality that Tech N9ne has picked up as of late.