Tech N9ne

Tech N9ne sold out shows last time he was in our country and as one of Hip Hops most successful independent artists he is back and promising to bring the house down. Technicians are in for a non-stop party when he plays at Fowlers Live in Adelaide on September 15 along with his long-time collaborator and friend Krizz Kaliko.
Tech N9ne took the time to have a chat with us at Hi Fi Way: The Pop Chronicles.

After selling out your last tour here in Australia you’re coming back in September. You’re including more cities this time. Are you looking forward to coming back to Adelaide?
Yes, I am! I’ve had some great times partying in Adelaide. We partied a lot there. I remember the shisha lounges and clubs.

You’re an independent Hip Hop artist. Does that allow you to make the kind of music you want without the pressure from big record companies?
Yeah that’s why I chose to go independent. It allows me the freedom to make the kinda records I want and to sign the kinda artists I want. I have a say in how I want my records to sound and what I can say in them.

Your sound is Hip Hop with a really 90s vibe. Who were you influenced by growing up and who were you listening to that helped shape your sound and your style?
Eric B & Rakim, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Ice Cube, Ice-T, N.W.A., Public Enemay, AC/DC, Metallica, Outkast. So many. My music is a reflection of all of these artists.

You put a lot of energy into your live shows and you tour a lot over long periods. Do you enjoy touring? What do you like about it the most?
I love it! Now that my kids are grown I can tour a lot and get all that energy out. It gets me closer to all the Technicians (that’s what he calls his fans).

How do Aussie audiences differ to American audiences?
All the Tech audiences whether they are Australians, Americans or Polish are the same. We all come together for the same thing. The Technicians are all the same at the shows. Technicians all party the same at my shows. They all sing along and party with the same kinda energy.

On the new album you rap about some very personal topics. Is it therapeutic to write songs and channel that negative energy through the creative process?
If I wasn’t writing songs I don’t know where I’d be. Its my therapy. It helps me and also helps those that can’t write music. It allows them the therapy they need when they hear my songs. Being creative takes a lot of the weight of my shoulders.

What’s your favourite song off the album you enjoy performing live?
I love performing the songs of my new album Planet. That’s what gives me the energy to perform live at the moment. Most of the songs on this tour will be from my new record. And Bad JuJu. That will be played for sure. Bad JuJu I love performing live.

Collaborating with some great artists like Machine Gun Kelly, Y2 and Krizz Kaliko on this album. What’s it like to work with these artists and is the process easy when you get in the studio together?
They throw me ideas and we go back and forth. Krizz Kaliko is like furniture now in the studio. We just bounce off each other and know how each other works.

Working with some big names in the past like Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, are there any artists you would like to work with in the future?
Outkast. Now that would be a collaboration. Man, we need to get them back. Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails is another guy I would love to work with. Metallica. Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun from 21 Pilots. Man, I mean now that would be a collaboration. These guys are just blow me away.

They are touring Australia soon.
Oh, you gotta see them! Collaborating with those guys is on my list. (Pauses) Sorry I just took a sip of my beer.

I hope it’s an Australian beer!
Actually, it’s a Mexican beer!

When you’re in Adelaide you must try our local beers.
I’m sure I’ve had a lot of those beers in Adelaide. Believe me I’ve had a lot of them!

What kind of music do you listen to in your down time? Any new or established artists you listen to?
I listen to Tech N9ne music. I listened to him all the time. Tech has so much music.

Yeah he’s not bad!
Yeah, he’s ok. He’s got some good songs.

Yeah, he raps pretty fast!
Yeah, he sure knows how to rap (laughs).

Anything you would like to say to the fans about your upcoming tour?
Get your tickets fast. You don’t want to miss this show. All my technicians get your tickets!

Interview by Anastasia Lambis

Be sure to catch Tech N9ne and Kriss Kaliko on their Australian tour. Tickets from https://metropolistouring.com/tech-n9ne/