The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

TECH N9NE

“The Boogieman” calls all “TECH-NICIANS”

Sam Simone

Joshua Ballou
The Broadside

Charismatic, controversial and heading back to Bend just in time for Halloween, Tech N9ne promises a unique experience for fans.

“Me and Bend got history,” said Tech, who shared a very colorful story of his first visit to Bend, which wont make it to the page.

“Every time I come to Bend it’s just more and more people [at the show].”

He expects nothing less as he descends on Midtown Ballroom with fast lines, hard words and strong energy Oct. 29.

“Take a chance with new music,” said Tech as he encouraged everyone to come out for his favorite holiday and enjoy old favorites and possibly new music off his 13th full length release, “Welcome To Strangeland (Tech N9ne Collabos),” hitting stores Nov. 8.

A career shrouded in misconception, Tech took a few minutes out to share his disappointment at how he was labeled a devil-worshipper, which he says began with the release of his third studio album “Anghellic.” With titles like “Hellevator,” ”Devil-Boy” and “Suicide Letters,” the album did have a darker tone.

Tech also admits the imagery he uses only helped fuel the rumors, but he assures his fans that it is the farthest thing from the truth.

“It’s been a fight, but what a wonderful fight it’s been,” said Tech, who is finally shedding that negative persona.

Surprisingly personable Tech shared stories about his struggle to gain acceptance in the music industry and how hard it has been convincing other African-Americans that it’s OK to come to a Tech N9ne show.

“It was a fight to get my people back on it,” said Tech. “[Black Entertainment Television] finally stepped it up this year giving something different a shot.”

Earlier this month Tech enjoyed a breakthrough personally and professionally as one of the artists BET showcased in “The Cypher,” at the BET  Awards.

With an already impressive list of collaborations under his belt, Tech shared a few other artists he hopes to work with, ranging from Slipknot and System of a Down to Eminem and Cee-Lo Green.

He even stopped the interview cold to break into a full verse of Adele’s “Someone Like You,” admitting that he would love to work the British songstress—his version wasn’t half bad.

He genuinely seems to love music from all genres, but when asked about his earliest influences, he cited a list of old school hip-hop artists that would make any rap fan proud.

Beyond the lyrical controversy, crazy stage antics and animated sense of humor, Tech is a strong business man who has a label and roster of artists that is continually growing while the industry itself continues to fight for its survival.

This continued growth speaks directly to the connection he has with his fans: They want more. Tech and his label Strange Music promise to keep
delivering. Evident in his upcoming release which showcases collaborations with his “Strange” artists.

There are a few explanations of how Tech got his stage name but he went ahead and set the story straight.

“[Rapper] Black Walt gave me my name,” said Tech. Walt simply pulled out a book about guns and went through the book as the yet unnamed
artist listened to a list of gun names until they got to TEC-9, which Walt said sounded like the fast paced rhyming style fans would come to enjoy.

Full of surprises, energy and jokes; Tech assured that fans will experience all of this and more Friday October 29 at The Midtown Ballroom.

Loyal to his fans Tech has Meet ‘n’ Greets in every city. Check out blog.TheRealTechN9ne.com for more information and showtimes.

Sam Simone can be reached at [email protected].
Joshua Ballou can be reached at [email protected].

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