Who’s the number one independent rapper in the world? Who’s the man we call Technician Number One? Who created the medicine to navigate through the darkness? According to the intro track to his 21st studio album N9NA. Technician and navigator aside, Tech is definitely the game’s number one independent artist by a longshot.
The Kansas City native has perfected the DIY formula to the point where he’s consistently made the Forbes Cash Kings list for the past 10 years without a platinum single or major label in sight. N9NA also doesn’t have a hit single and it certainly doesn’t need one – it slots seamlessly into Tech’s fan base focused catalog.
After making those opening statements of self-assurance on the intro track, Tech gets right to rapping on “Lord of Weird” where he dishes and dazzles with lyrical calisthenics. Within the first few bars he shows off his rapid-fire multi-syllabics that could go in a Rapping for Dummies handbook. “When I first started out/Thought to myself, “Spread your heart about”/Never thought that people look at my art and doubt/Wanna bar this mouth, then they darted out” truly sounds as slick as it reads.
Despite this being his 21st album and a compilation of two previously released EPs (N9NA Collection 1 and N9NA Collection 2) Tech still makes a point to flex his résumé at every little twist and turn. Especially “Like I Ain’t” which works as a four-minute audio biopic in which Tech is the protagonist, antagonist and director. HNDRC, ItsNicklus and N4 keep the beat sweet and simple so Tech can bring listeners down his carefully crafted memory lane. From “spittin in the projects” to making “a quarter mill’ for a show” Tech N9ne/Tecca N9NA really makes sure people put some respect on his name(s).
The tracklist runs 21 songs long which is simply excessive, regardless of rapping skill. Although these astounding rhyme patterns are unique to Tech and a strong suit of his, versatility isn’t – and it shows. “H.O.B,” “Ion Memba” and “Active” are near identical tracks that employ the same devilish flow with ominous instrumentation. It’s hard to totally criticize Tech for this redundancy given the sheer amount of music he’s released over the past 15 years; in fact, it’s expected at this point. His hordes of core fans will obviously gravitate to every word he spits but Tech isn’t necessarily scooping up a whole new crop of fans with his spiritual-lyrical-miracles.
The silver lining to having over an hour of music on one project is that some gems do in fact emerge. “F’n Do It” featuring JL and Futuristic brings enough bouncy production and party-rock catchiness to live outside of the confines of the album’s tracklist. On a much darker, sadder and “fucked up” note, “I Caught Crazy (4Ever)” closes the album with a haunting look into Tech’s mental state that oddly celebrates his lifelong “crazy.”
N9NA really works as a Coles Notes for Tech’s massive catalog. Die-hard fans that have followed Tecca N9NA since the beginning will enjoy it as a recap while the small group of new listeners (if any) will get brought up to speed on the Indie King of Rap. Within the hour he sheds light on his storied past, his proficient present and his “never-ending party” future in the best way he knows how; hardcore fast rap. Gauging by the sheer tenacity in which Tech releases music, it’s safe to assume that N9NA is far from his finale but instead just a cog in his crazy.
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its techs best album in couple years
it feel more normal like bad season was
i don’t really fuck with juggalo shit
Tech never fails.
10 out of 5 absolutely hands down he gives us so much of himself I’ve been a technician for 15 years he gives his fans the best
I give it a 5/5, and the more you listen to it the more you love it and want to learn the lyrics and rap along. Serious talent and the best in the game, hands down. Straaange!
He’s done it again ??
I’m a huge Slipknot fan that loves the hell out of Tech N9ne. This album isn’t near as good as “The Storm” but it sure as hell doesn’t disappoint.
Best album he’s dropped in a while. First half and last half is cool. Middle is boring. Waaaaaaaay better than planet. Not much more to say than that really.
Great album love all the songs!!!
WTF…HOMIES …THIS STRANGE MUSIC YOU GUYS ARE TRIPPIN IF ANYONE THOUGHT TECH LOST IT…LOL ONCE AGAIN ANOTHER BOMB ASS SRIRACHA HOT LEVATATION…ALBUM DROPPED…DA KING OF STRANGE….HAS SHOWED ONCE AGAIN THAT REAL ASS LYRICIST POETIC MASTER RHYMES THAT THIS NEW GENERATION AINT SHIT…TECH KEEP THAT BOMB ASS WORK UP…U INSPIRE CUZ EVERY DAY I WAKE UP…EVEN THO I DONT FEEL LIKE IT…I PUSH…LEVITATION…THX TECH…WE LOVE U HOMIE FROM DA WEST COAST GOD BLESS…
You… Type… Like… A.. Fucking… Retard… Please… Learn… How… To… Type… Go.. Back.. To.. School…………..
Best by tech yet! I know these young cats won’t get the flow but this album is dope!
This is one of Tech’s best since Special Effects. Not that Planet, The Storm Strangeulation Vol 2 wasn’t dope but N9NA was really dope
5/5, old school, not a buch of collabs
Tech continues to show Fire an Creativity as well as kaliko and Iso, don’t ever stop y’all Strange Music.
This album has the quality that I’ve come to expect from the greatest rapper on this mudball.
Tech never disappoints. I’ve listened to Tech since 1997. I remember going to the local music spot, The Wax Factory in Kansas City, KS, and grabbing the Rogue Dog cd. We couldn’t get enough of that album. Tech and Scoob were my favorites. Tech had Mitch Bade and Questions back then and if you weren’t an instant fan then you were sleep on him. I have every Tech album, with the exception of a couple cypher albums. When N9NA was available to pre-order I made damn sure I was gettin mine. Being from Kansas City allowed me to be one of the firsts to respect his talent and relate to his lyrics. Listen to Absolute Power and N9NA. You can hear just how far Tech has come and how high he’s come up. If there’s anyone sleep on Tech, you better wake up. Hands down he is one of the most talented lyricists to ever spit! “Always STRANGE!!!”
I agree. He is up there with biggie, Tupac, Bone Thugs, Jay Z, Naz, Twista, and the greats
Now you’re just using names to act like you know hip hop. If you don’t know how to spell Nas, I know you’re bullshitting.
Now, I love Tech, but to claim he is the greatest to ever do it is an exaggeration. Not that he doesn’t have the talent, but his discography isn’t goat quality. If he released a 11-13 track album every 2-3-4 years, he might be. But because every album always has a couple tracks that are just mediocre to plain bad, I think there’s other rappers who are more qualified for the title. Still love Tech tho and will be following what he does, but I hate that he doesn’t take time with his albums and doesn’t trim out what doesn’t need to be there.
Album is awesome. 3.7 tho? Thugger can fart in autotune and its an auto 4.0 or higher. This website is run by 13 yr old girls.
Shits fire Tech never disappoints
He has disappointed me as a fan. His past few albums & projects overall were… Sub-par. This one’s good, though. Sounds like he’s back again.
Just a rudely dismissed “newcomer” to Tech N9ne who respects the hunger, independence, and steady obvious growth of a man and a group of complex artists all whom I enjoy listening to during my dull day of bureaucratic bull shxt. Thank you for giving me the energy to tolerate the hypocritical smiles I see each morning as I walk through the glass doors of my office.
Tech n9ne is a rap genius man, the best of the best my inspiration every day.. die hard fan
This goes
2/5 ? more like 2.5/5 … he can do better and we know it. i think yall some fanboys and stans. not real fans
So Asia da brats a 3.8 and techs a 3.7. Who the fuck you working for haha
Another good album from Tech!! As hole album 4/5 if your a real Technician you know what your going to get. With that being said”Active” and “I Cough Crazy” hands down??????
Haha FIRE not ?????
Tech is still fukin murdering shit no one kan
Fuk wit him it goes up
When u coming back to Perth? Got some awsome footage from the Rosemount ✊
Trash N9ne
Your opinion is trash. Let us all know when you make to Forbes list, fool.
His best project to date. Has killer bars and beats. Very solid album. Anybody that says differently is tone deaf.
3/5 – – While this album did have some strong tracks including “like I ain’t” , “Active” and “Ef U(Easier For You)”, there are a few tracks that fall short. “She Fell”, “You Line” “HOB” along with a few other tracks add to some of the inconsistency that has been evident in the past few of Tech’s Albums. While his highs are very high, he has a few mediocre songs that do not sit well, and is the primary reason for tech’s lack of ability to make a consistent project
You are high.
Facts. I’m a Tech fan, but bro give us a 13 track project every 2-3 years instead of a bloated 20 track project every year. Keep the trash, give us the gems.
Its an amazing album
Solid album Tech did his thang!
Every song is dope this is why I’m a longtime fan of the king the clown and the G./K.O.D
Shit goes. Definitely Tech’s best project in a while, but his recent shit been doo doo so. Too bad he ain’t got no features on here, I think jid would have murdered green lit. But shit still tight, 4/5
Fire from start to finish
This album is insane with the movie behind it! I loved every single track and music video. I love tech
Together we are, a powerful force
As one, mind body and soul
Let no evil enter, nor attempt to reduce us
Because of the beliefs, we hold
And with this love, combined with our strength
We ward off, pain and stress
Technician I am, wholeheartedly
In life, and, in death’
might seem that I am dickriding tech but yeah so what I love tech!