Tech N9ne | Dumb Blonde Podcast

Bunny XO, choose a Vegas girl. Bunny. dropping, choose Bunny XO. Is this thing on? What's up, you sexy. Welcome to another episode of Don Blon. Today, this man has built an empire, pushed the boundaries of independent. rap, and outworked nearly everybody in. the game. Mr. Tech N9ne Yes, ma'am. is. in the house. Happy to be here, mama. Dude, I'm so stoked you're here. I had a.

bucket list, and it was Dolly Parton, Joyce Meyers, and Tech N9ne. >> Whoa. >> [laughter]. >> I've done Dolly, haven't done haven't. done Joyce yet. And then I've got. finally got you here. So, I'm just like. so stoked. >> I know. You're a busy man. >> Oh, yeah. Got to got to keep it that. way, you know what I mean? You know, time time waits for no man. Ever. Yeah. >> My dad always says, um, rolling stones. gather no moss. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. So, I've always lived my life by. that like, but I finally and you know, now that I've gotten a little bit older. have learned how to kind of like slow it.

down a little bit, but. >> Yeah, we were just talking about. vacationing, you know what I'm saying? Taking some time for yourself. Yeah, I'm. going to go to Monaco and see the. [clears throat] hairy bush ladies that. [laughter]. that you were telling me about. >> Yeah, they they might not be alive now, you know what I'm [laughter] saying? They were they were pretty old. Tech was. telling me he just went to Monaco and I. was like or he told me he went to like. Ibeas or something. I was like, "Did. they have any nude beaches?" And he's. like, "No, but we did go to one in. Monaco.". >> Yeah, we went to one in Monaco and then. you. it's always really old people on there. that that are free. You know, it's not.

like on the movies you see it's all. young people with perky. >> Listen, the geezers have no shame, all. right? And I think once you hit that. age, you're allowed to just let it you. let your freak flag fly. >> dudes are never in. we always see the dudes from the back, you know, cuz we don't you know. >> [laughter]. >> Oh, man. We don't we don't just walk up. to the nude beach. It's like a place like right on the. beach where you can sit down and eat and. drink, you know what I'm saying? And. people are like walking by you like, "What?". >> Who the is he not on a nude beach?

>> Us. You You know what? I can't. [laughter] I can't even talk because I. used to go to swingers clubs in Vegas. and eat the buffet there, okay? >> Well, let me tell you something about. strip clubs, you know, um, strip club. food? Yeah. I used to eat strip club. food, you know, they they have chefs in. there making they still those steaks. Yeah, so I used to I grew up in Vegas, so I used to work in the strip clubs in. Vegas and some of them would have. five-star restaurants where you would. have to wear like gowns to go sit with. our guests in there. Food was fire, dude. It's an establishment, you know,

they got to have the right food. I just. feel like a um, beach, you know, with. just all the the bush flying around. would be a little weird. >> That's exactly what you'll see, bush. [laughter]. Bush. Yeah. You see no young folks, no. people in shape, no I'm talking this is. this is my experience what I've seen. over the years. >> Yeah. And cuz I'm usually with people. that say, "Hey, man, let's go to the. nude beach." I'm like, "You don't want. to see the nude beach." "Please, Tech, come on, let's go to the nude beach.". "Okay, let's go." Tech's like, "You know. what? You don't got to twist my arm.". You don't want to do it. It's.

>> [laughter]. >> it's not what they think. The ones I've. seen I've seen I've seen one. uh. What's over the What's What's What's. that place over there, Travis? Uh. where St. Thomas and. uh it starts with an M. and it St. Martin? >> St. Martin, there you go. I seen one in. St. Martin. >> Oh, we're going. We were actually going. to go there for my birthday. >> Uh-huh. See? We got to go. The beach is. calling me. Does it have one in St. Martin? >> Yeah, we we call it we I'm black, they. call it St. Martin.

>> Okay. Okay. [laughter] Oh, I don't know. Is it Martin or Martin? I don't know. It's spelled like Martin, you know what. I'm saying? Yeah. We were We were in St. Martin. >> Listen, >> [laughter]. >> I'm not with the bougie [ __ ] so I don't. know. I've never been there, so it could. be St. Martin, too. No, it's all good. A. lot of people call it St. Martin. We. call it cuz St. Martin. Sorry. So, did. you go to the beach there? >> [laughter]. >> I'm I'm curious. >> We were at. the place [clears throat] eating that's. off the beach. >> Okay. >> [laughter]. >> You're always eating at these beaches, Tech. I'm seeing a pattern [clears throat].

here. >> That's funny. I'm Scorpio, but it has. nothing to do with that, you know? >> [laughter]. >> It's usually people with me. I know it. sounds like an excuse, [laughter] you. know, it's just me just zeroing in on. the nude beaches. No, no, no. People with me that I take on tour with. me, you know, they're like, "Hey, they. got a nude beach." I'm not just touching. down like, "Where are the nude beaches?". Listen, I am. I'm that person, [laughter] so it's okay. No shame. >> to see it, you know what I'm saying? You. go see it. It's not what you think. >> Yeah. All right, well, >> From what I've seen, maybe somewhere in. Dubai it's different. I don't know. >> Maybe. You know? Maybe in Africa it's.

different. I don't know. >> Have you been to Dubai yet? >> Nope, not yet. I haven't either, but I. heard the women out there are just to. die for like just beautiful, gorgeous. Yeah. I found I found mine in Puerto. Rico. There you go. I love how much you. love your girl. >> Yeah, man. Every chance you get, you get. to give her flowers. >> 10 years. Yeah, that's how I We got. married in our 10th year. Oh, my gosh. I. love that. So, you guys just recently. got married? >> Yeah, July 20th. Aw, congratulations.

We're newly weds, man. I love that. >> But I think a lot of people, you know, they the song said, "Why do fools fall. in love?" And then people just uh I. don't only fools rush in and this that. and other. >> Yeah. Um, >> [clears throat]. >> I think what I learned from being. married before Mhm. when I was 22 when I. had those two babies at 22 that we were. talking about earlier. >> and we're going to get into all that. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think I've you know, we got married of course cuz we loved. each other, but you know, um, it was for.

our baby, you know, she was like, "I. want to have a baby, you know, I don't. want to have a baby out of wedlock" type. of thing, you know what I'm saying? We. got married. But what I learned from. then to now. is I think that people don't take time. with each other. Mhm. You know, to date. each other and then, you know, takes. time to move in. Some people just jump. right in and you don't find out about. each other. Mhm. >> You know what I'm saying? In a short. period of time like you should. >> No, you did it right. Did it right. [clears throat]. >> Different chemical levels and stuff, you.

know what I'm saying? That happened not. just with women either. I'm just talking. about with with male as well, you know. what I'm saying? You don't know a. [ __ ] crazy, you don't know. nothing, you don't know what happens. when she's PMSing, you don't know none. of this [ __ ] you know what I'm saying? If you don't put time and learn how to. deal with it and not fight negative with. negative, you know what I'm saying? I. didn't know that when I was younger. Yeah, you have to learn your person. [clears throat] Jay and I actually got. married 30 days after meeting each other. and the first 3 years of our. relationship, I don't know how we made.

it. Like I talk about it on the podcast. all the time like it was so toxic. because it was two people who two. strangers who from two different. backgrounds. I'm a Vegas girl, he's a. Nashville boy trying to figure out life. together and, you know, if I could go. back and do it again, I would wait to. get married and just kind of, you know, learn each other because. people don't do that anymore. Like it. literally. people it everything is like we're in. the microwave era. So, it's like. everybody wants everything now, you. know? >> Right, right, right. So, you and your. girl. >> somebody snoring and I saw the dog.

sleeping. Oh, the dog, yeah. >> [laughter]. >> He's right here. In my mind I was looking around like, "Who the hell is sleep right now?" He's. the co-host. >> I didn't want to. >> [laughter]. >> lose contact with you, but you know, but. I'm I'm like in my mind I'm like, "Who. the hell is snoring?". >> He He's literally the co-host. He has I. know that ain't Travis. >> [laughter]. >> It might be. He He's He's literally. >> He's over there alone to throw your. voice, fool your friends, fool your. parties. >> Yeah, he's [laughter] literally grown up. in this chair, so he'll sit here the. whole podcast, but you'll hear him. snoring every once in a while you'll see.

me shake him so that the. snore doesn't come through. the mic. >> And he's he's comfortable with your. voice and you know, he's. he's comfortable so. That's my baby. So, Tech, I have done for the past few days. nothing but research you. And you He's. like, "Okay.". >> [laughter]. >> He got nervous. No, it's You know what? >> find the drugs and and the liquor and. the I found all of it, but. >> the women all over the world, did you. find all that? The stuff that I had to. grow out of. I'm telling you though, I think you have.

such a testimony and it really makes me. understand you more. It makes me. understand the music more and I just. want to take all of my listeners on that. journey with you because it's really a. beautiful ride Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like you have worked your ass off. to be where you're at. I mean, [clears throat] I think it's. just so cool the [ __ ] that you've gone. through and that you've risen from. >> When you know you have something special. inside, it don't matter how many. >> [clears throat and cough]. >> obstacles are in your way. Yeah. Cuz you.

push them out of the way. Yes. >> And people. that try to create the obstacles because. they don't understand. >> Mhm. you'll look back and they'll all be. shaking your hand. >> Aw. I didn't mean to make that rhyme, but No, >> [laughter]. >> it's just you're you're a poet and. didn't know it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but um. No, it's so real. So, let's bring it. back to your growing up in Kansas City. You grew up on the Missouri side, correct? >> Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Take me on that journey with. you and your family um, and like kind of.

like your your upbringing and your. background. >> Yeah, um, my family. Christians. hardcore Christians, you know, we live. with my grandmother, my mother, her. brothers [clears throat]. and sisters lived in a house in um. in the projects, 904 Michigan in uh. Wayne Minor projects, you know what I'm. saying? And uh. I couldn't really listen to rap music in. that house. It was all gospel. But I found rap next door at the Reese's.

house next door, my Uncle. [clears throat] Ike and all them. I was. I was crazy about hip-hop early on. So, at a young age you just knew that that. was like instilled in your soul. >> I I was I was born in Wayne Minor from. birth till 10 years old we moved away. So, from birth to 10 I was there. in Wayne Minor and I found so much music. outside of my house. But what what really stuck with me.

was the hip hop that was coming from. next door. You know? >> Do you think that was because you. weren't allowed to listen to secular. music growing up? I never thought about it like that. I. just thought it was something that. really made my hips hop. You know what. I'm saying? Hip hop is about dancing. When you think about a hip hopping Yes. you're dancing. And I was a dancer. before I was writing rhymes. So. I always wanted to do Michael Jackson. and this is way after Wayne minor. though, but Yeah. [clears throat].

>> I wanted to you know. do whatever dances I saw outside, you. know, from the older people around me. When did you get into dance? Was that at. a young age or was that after 10? I. remember. fourth grade, my mom buying me. break dance clothing, you know, loose. break dance clothing with white gloves. and everything and shoes. And I'm me being in the talent show. Uh. pop locking to a song called Scorpio by.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Scorpio cuz I was a Scorpio. You know, I. I guess I was aware. I I really like the song Scorpio. Mama. want to dance the Scorpio, you know, I. can't even picture that right now being. in fourth grade saying [laughter] I want. to dance the Sugarhill Gang Scorpio, you. know. >> I love it though. I was doing Like a. Virgin at five so it's okay. Like a. Virgin, yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. I got [clears throat] in. trouble. >> [laughter]. >> Listen, Madonna was huge in the 80s, okay? >> Yeah, I was And Wayne minor I was trying. to kiss at five. So I read about that.

and you if you could take me on this. journey. So you grew up in this really. religious household. Your grandma was. very religious and you know, you had. that spiritual influence on you or. religious influence. >> Yes. Um but you had cousins that took. you to a drive-in theater? No, that was. my Uncle Ike. Okay, Uncle Ike is. >> Ike. Uncle Ike. >> Yeah, what are you talking about? >> [laughter]. >> Let's talk about Uncle Ike. >> Uncle Ike is my savior. I swear, you. know what I mean? Um he's still here today. Oh, awesome.

I love that. He took me to the drive-in show with him. and his friends on a on a weekend. Mhm. And I was so young. I was five. I was so young that they put me. on the ground under their feet with. like a rug or a towel over me or. something on the floorboard and they had. their feet on my back to get me in. They got me in. Mhm. >> [clears throat]. >> I remember they let me up. They say. Dante's, that's my middle name, Dante's.

You know what I'm saying? They call me. Donnie for short. They like uh. Donnie, people going to laugh. They. think they don't know my name is Donnie, you know. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. But uh they say um Donnie, don't. piss yourself now. when you see what comes on the screen. I'm like, what are you talking about? And it was uh. it was uh. triple X movie. And I remember it being Tarzan and Jane. Mhm. And Jane just kept getting [ __ ]. by these gorillas. But you're five. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I mean, Uncle Ike,

what the hell's going on? He was young, too. Oh, okay. I get it. So he didn't. realize like 62 now, you know what I'm. saying? So he was he was he was young, too, you know what I'm saying? So. you know, I remember to see that at. five. >> Right. Cuz I remember it starting off. and everything. I didn't know what was. going on. I'm talking about they're. showing it going in and out and. everything. I remember it like. >> I thought drive-in movies? Yes, triple. X. I had Cinderella at mine. Triple X, you know what I'm saying? It's like. after after after a certain time at.

night they would show. um I Maybe it was Fairyland drive-in, I. don't know. I I forgot which one we went. to cuz I was so young. Yeah, what a. different time of life, right? >> They showed triple X films after a. certain time, right? You don't know? I. had a drive-in. >> [laughter]. >> Yes. Even Travis. Oh, damn. Well, well. we going to look into that. Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> I was there. No, I believe you. 100%. At.

the drive-in, the big screen. They snuck. me in, you know what I'm saying? >> and and I 100% believe you. I just feel. bad because at five that's got to be a. lot to take in. >> they were creating a monster. Right. Yeah, I didn't know it. That's right. You know what I'm saying? Paired with. the Humphrey Bogart. pictures on TV, you know what I'm. saying? Here's looking at you, kid and. kissing and all that kind of thing, you. know, I was trying that at five. Right. You know, um. >> [clears throat]. >> Well, you're acting out what you were. learning, you know? You didn't know.

Nobody told you like, hey, this is wrong. or hey, you're not supposed to feel. these things or The influence from what. I see, you know. Absolutely. >> And uh. that I didn't piss on myself like they. said, you know. >> [laughter]. >> Sweet boy. But uh I remember. I remember Tarzan being upset that Jane. kept on wanting to go out into the. jungle and get the gorillas. Right. >> [laughter]. >> What a memory. What a memory. Do you feel like you took. that with you through life though? Like. how. >> How would I remember this? Like to apply.

that? >> No, I would never want. to be. jungle. I don't know. He's like, no, no, no. But I mean like. the possessiveness is what I mean. Like. you know how like um you said Tarzan was. possessive of. >> Never never have you They said Scorpios. or jealous, that's never been me. Really? >> been jealous, you know, in my time. before I hung my player jerseys up like. tapestry, you know. Uh. >> [clears throat]. >> I used to share. women with my fellow friends. Yes. You.

know, like she was with with me first. but if you know, cuz sometimes Mhm. people on tour they love the circus. Oh, I know. Yes, I've been on tour with all. the boys. And all the people in it. Mhm. Even the bus driver. Really? The bus driver was getting. action? No, I ain't telling on no bus. driver. I'm saying I was like, damn, we. got to hook him up. Even the bus driver, you know what I'm saying? From what I. witnessed, you know.

>> Got you. Got you. Nobody is left, you. know. Yeah. Unsatisfied unless they. don't want to, you know. Right, of. course. Of course, all consensual. >> [clears throat]. [laughter]. >> That's the that's the that's the only. thing about podcast, you know, it turns. into interrogation sometimes. >> Never, never, never. >> no. Not not from you. It's just I'm I'm. I'm long-winded. >> Oh, no. You're totally fine. I love it. >> But. I'm saying I was saying to finish what I. was saying, I would share. back then, you know what I'm saying? I. was never a jealous Scorpio.

You know, when I'm dating a woman or. whatever, but uh it taught me later. when I found my maturity, mid-40s. It. took a while. Yeah. I always say I met a morph. I met a morph and that morph that I made. in my life was maturity. Mhm. And um. that's when I started feeling like I. didn't want to share. that energy with everybody. [clears throat] Right. anymore. It was a tour that I went on with JL and.

Joey and all these artists that we had. on the label. that they saw me breaking up with all my. women all over the world, you know what. I'm saying? Like I found somebody I want. to try something different, you know. I. never seen these women again. They were. coming for just one thing and it wasn't. for a Tech N9ne show. Right. >> [clears throat and cough]. >> You know. Yeah. And uh. it happened later on in my life like I. said, at 45, you know. Respecting myself. and feeling like. I didn't want to share that with. everybody anymore. Like this dick ain't.

this dick ain't this dick ain't for. free, you know, like Kendrick said, you. know. Yeah. And uh not that you can pay. for it and get it. I'm just [laughter]. saying. I mean, if they could, it's all right. No, no, no, no, no. No, he said no, no, no. [laughter]. Um so let's circle back to your. childhood. Your dad was absent in your. life, but he was LAPD. >> Yeah. Carlton Cook. Rest his soul. LAPD. Um What was your relationship like with. him? I've seen him.

every 10 years throughout my life. >> Mhm. You know, cuz you know, my mom. was 16 when she had me. And I guess my dad had several women in. town, you know, and she was one of them. And uh I remember seeing him. when I was like six. I rode on his. I rode on his I remember riding on his. uh motorcycle with him in the projects. Then he moved to LA. I ain't seen him. for some years. I seen him again when he.

when I was 14. He would have parties. at his mom's house in the hood when he. came home. They would celebrate Cook. coming back home. And uh. I would see him. having different. ethnicities of women on the couch Mhm. waiting to meet him upstairs while he's. [ __ ] with somebody upstairs. One. would come down and the other one would. go up. I watched it all night. Mhm. You. know. >> [cough]. >> This is when I was [clears throat] 14.

Yeah. Yeah. I remember, you know. I sneaking in the kitchen and drinking. some of the liquor and stuff like the. bad kids, dude. You know, um. and I saw women crying leaving crying. You know what I'm saying? But after. that, I didn't see him for another long. time. I think I became Tech N9ne within. those that 10-year period. I remember. him saying something to me like on the. phone. He's like, hey, man. Another 10 years is coming up. We got to. see each other, you know.

That had to be hurtful as a child though. to like you know, I I I don't know how. you handled trauma or pain as a child, but um you know, most people would be. like. you know, kind of resentful that their. dad wasn't a part of their life. >> my life. >> No. >> It wasn't my life because I had my. uncles. I had my aunties, I had my mom. Yeah. I never did. I never did. feel a way about my dad because I felt.

like later on I understood where my mom. stood with him. Right. >> Doesn't make it okay. Right. You know, he never taught me how to. drive or you know, how to do things a. man, but my uncles did, you know what. I'm saying? They taught tried to teach. me a lot of things that they could, you. know. Um. but I never felt a way about my dad. at all. I don't know why. Baby Tech. >> I was always happy to see him. Yeah. Carlton Cook, he's always he's. he was he was a.

he was a gangster to me. He was always. tough, you know. And I had brothers that were older than. me, Poochie and Cortez a little bit. younger than me and a sister Marvella. and Elreece and all these kids out in. Cali that I didn't meet until '93, you. know, when I when I got my first deal. with. Jimmy Jam and Terry. All of this stuff. is intertwined in my story, you know. >> Yes, absolutely. And we're going to get. there. We're still focusing on Baby Tech. right now. >> Yeah, that's Baby Tech. Well, I saw a. lot of things, you know what I'm saying?

But I only saw my. father. in certain periods of my life, you know. Um so, let's zero in on your mom a. little bit here because I know your. mom's a huge influence in your music and. in your life and um you know, growing up in a household with her. wasn't easy because she did have. epilepsy and also was she diagnosed. schizophrenic? That was later on before. she died, yes. That was later on in her. life. So. >> But early on, she had her first seizure. when she was 18 waiting for my father.

to come pick her up for prom. He stood. her up. Oh. And she had her first. seizure. That's what my aunties told me. Yeah. >> [cough and clears throat]. >> So I think I do need water. Go ahead. Take a sip. So, growing up with a mom. who, you know, was going through, you know, having. epilepsy and then, you know, your father not being there all the. time, your mom did get into another. relationship that was somewhat abusive. and you guys had to leave. Can you take.

me on that journey where you guys were. moving around. >> [clears throat]. >> trying to get away from her ex at the. time? That's Charles Wade. No. That was during. my third grade period. Okay. Third and fourth grade, I think. I love. how you I wasn't laughing. I I just love. how you just can remember everybody like. first and last name. Like it's like. Oh, I lived it. Yeah. And I had to hear. them fighting in the next room and. you know, um.

my dad moved away and we moved away from. Wayne Minor when I was 10. Mhm. In the 50s, 59th and School Parkway. And um that's when she met Abul Hassan. Rasul Khalifa. Mhm. It was a couple of. boyfriends in between there, guy named. Nujie. Mhm. I remember he had a he was. really he always had on really good. cologne. He had a George Washington. afro, you know, big back here. You know, I remember Nujie. They probably like, "How does he remember these things?". Yeah. Because I would be in the car with.

him when we're going places, you know, Nujie. She dated Nujie for a while and. then I guess she met Hassan around that. time. She wasn't dating Nujie anymore. Um. >> [clears throat]. >> and she married him when I was 12. She. married Abul Hassan Rasul Khalifa. So, my Christian mother, my devout Christian. mother, had so much love for a man that. she married a Muslim. Wow. And you know, Muslims and Christians been having. quarrels since day one, you know, when.

in actuality. both. worship the same God. One God, you know. >> Allah. Yeah. Yeah. It's just Allah is. just a Arabic word for God. Just a. different language. Yes. You know, but. the Christians at the time thought Allah. was a man, you know, you know. We won't get into that. Yeah. You get to talk about God being a man in. universe. I don't want to. piss anybody off. No, you're [laughter].

fine. I mean, we talk about everything. on this podcast. But so, that he wasn't. the abusive relationship that she was. in. >> Charles Wade was. >> So. >> Charles Wade when I was in third grade, yeah. Man, he was So, you had to witness. that, you know, amongst having your dad, you know, in. and out of your life. Yes. You know, dealing with the sexual stuff and then. having. >> Charles Wade was a gangster. He had. gangster whitewalls on his Cadillac. He. had gold tooth. I was real close with his son, Chucky. Mhm.

I talk to him every once in a while. still. He I think he lives in Texas. I love that you keep up. >> He was he was in jail. He was a barber. as well. I mean, he was a barber. Um his father. Charles Wade. he's still alive. Um he found me. because I found Chucky on tour, you. know, people like, "Yo, brother, I was. in jail with your brother, Chucky." I'm. like, "Ah.". Charles Wade Jr. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Me. and Chucky were always cool though cuz.

we were kids, you know. Mhm. But his dad. was turnt up, you know. And uh. um. I'm I'm veering off because. because I was talking to Chucky later on. in my life. >> Mhm. his dad got my number. and called me and asked me for a. pickup truck. I hung up. It's just crazy to me that you can. traumatize a child like that and hurt a. woman like that and then circle back. years later and be like, "Hey, can you. get me something?".

>> Yeah, he got his karma. after. beating my mama at her job. He went up. to her gas KPNL gas service where she. worked downtown Kansas City and. got her outside and beat her up to where. she but he busted her head and all kind. of things and put her in the hospital, you know. Oh my gosh. >> Shortly after that, he robbed a bank and. got 25 years. So good. He did get his karma. >> And he got caught because. they said he. >> [clears throat]. >> on the on the scene of the crime, he. drank.

a a Sunkist and dropped it, you know, they got his DNA. >> What an idiot. [laughter]. Talk about karma though coming. [clears throat] around. Yeah. >> know. I'm sure he probably like, "That ain't. true, you know.". >> [laughter]. >> Got him. Uh so, you know, you and your mom. finally get away from him and mom. marries a Muslim. Take me on this. journey because how was that adjusting. to having a new dad 24/7 and It wasn't.

about. having a new dad all of a sudden because. you know, I never really had one, you. know what I'm saying? That was that was constant. >> It was about coming from a Christian. background and home Mhm. to a Muslim. home with no more bacon, no more. sausage, no more Christmas, no more. nothing. >> That's Oh, so they don't celebrate. Christmas. I didn't know that either. >> No, no, no, no. We wouldn't do none of that. I would. have to go to my. Christian. family to have Christmas and all that.

That was hard for a 12-year-old, you. know. >> Yeah. And um. >> [clears throat]. >> Hassan was nice to me, but I missed it. as a youngster like we all do. Mhm. Him. trying to make me a stronger kid. and not a mama's boy. who still had his mama ironing his. clothes at 12, you know what I'm saying? Start making me do everything. You know, if I was washing the dishes. after a, you know, a get-together or.

something we would have at our house, if there was one he would check the. dishes and if there was one speck on a. bowl, he'll dump all the dishes back in. there and make me do all of them again, you know. Oh. Until late, you know. I. thought that was mean. >> [clears throat]. >> He was trying to show me. and toughen me up, you know, show me a. different way. of being independent as a human being, you know. Right. And. uh. 13 came. 14 came. I'm acting up in school.

I'm skipping school. When do gangs come. into the come into play with you? Say. that again? When do like the gangs come. into play with you? >> when when she married Hassan. we moved on 58th and Forest. >> Mhm. That turned into a blood neighborhood. Right. You know, in the '80s. Yes. And. these were all of my friends. >> Mhm. These are all the people I went to. school with. These are people that I'm. still connected to. in my.

later years, you know. >> Yes. My friends, my brothers. Had nothing to do with gangs back then. It had everything to do with pop. locking. Right. You know, battling on. the street. And then in '85, it stopped and it. turned. the 37th Street Fruit Town Brim. from LA. him and his brothers moved in our. neighborhood. Gotcha. You know what I'm. saying? So, that's where that happened, but. in.

those years, 13, 14, 15, 16. I'm in school. Mhm. Um. got in trouble dating white girls at. school. Going to going to skipping parties at. the white girls' house I was dating at. the time, you know. Talk a womanizer, no. way. >> [laughter]. >> When did the womanizing start? >> [clears throat]. >> At 5, I was trying to kiss. You remember. >> Yeah, yeah. But I mean like when did it. really start? Like at yeah, 5 I think we. all play house and do do stuff like.

that. >> Okay, I'll I'll get. uh. Let me see. I can speak freely on here. >> Of course, yes. And we can always cut. anything that you don't want to. >> cut nothing. You know, I'm [laughter]. I'm you know, I'm spontaneous. I don't. care what it is. whatever. >> it. Yeah. Um. >> First time I came, I was 12. Mhm. You know, on 59th and Swope Parkway. >> Yeah. With a girl named Marlene, you. know, she was my age, of course, you. know. >> Mhm. And it was the craziest feeling ever,

and I knew it was supposed to happen. because I saw it on the. driving movie, you know what I'm saying? I saw you know, >> [laughter]. >> you know, that it's supposed to happen. I remember. she said, "What is that?" I was like, "I. don't know, but it's supposed to happen, you know." I remember saying that to. her, you know. Did anybody ever sit down. and have like the birds and the bees. talk with you? >> No. You know what I'm saying? It was my. uncle Iggy was the closest thing. >> Right. Cuz he would tell me, Dante, this. when I'm now, you know.

Yeah. I'm sticking it to her. I'm like, "Really?" You know what [laughter] I'm. saying? You're like, "I don't know what. that means yet.". At 12, I knew what the hell that meant, you know what I'm saying? So, So, [laughter] can you Okay, let's pause. right there. So, seventh grade, something happens in seventh grade with. the teacher. Can we go on that journey? >> [laughter]. >> She. >> about 12 years old, too, right? 13? Well, I I was going on 13. Um I was like I said, I was 13, 14, you. know. >> Yeah. Um she Oh, won't say no names.

>> Yeah. She was young. She was 21. Mhm. And uh. whenever. it all started when I showed her a. picture of my father. as a cop, you know what I'm saying? I. had a picture of him in his LAPD outfit. And after that after class, whenever. everybody's leaving out, I'll be in. there, and she used to say, "Aaron is so. cute." Cuz my first name is Aaron, of. course. Aaron Dante Yates. Donnie Da. "Aaron is so cute." And she was she was.

she was beautiful, you know. Yeah. And I. was like, "Oh, thank you." But she used. to do it every day. "Aaron is so cute.". I like, "Okay.". You know, um. then I got to skipping lunch to go visit. her while she's by herself, you know. And I'm just going to leave it at that, you know, to be safe. Right. But I was. in love Right. till she got married. But. you guys ended up and we can always cut.

this too if you want to, but you guys. ended up getting caught, right? >> caught by a student walking by. She said. she told my sixth hour. teacher. No, it wasn't my sixth hour. teacher. It was. sixth hour upstairs, Miss Glenn's room. was like courtroom. class. >> Mhm. So, whenever something happened in. the school, they would have to come to. court in her class in front of a big. student body, you know. >> Right. So, they called me up to court class.

>> Mhm. one day, not knowing what they want. to talk to me about. I've never been to. court class, you know. And um. Miss Glenn, she was a black lady. She. didn't want no [ __ ] you know what I'm. saying? >> [laughter]. >> So, she said, "Aaron, there's a student in here." The student. was sitting right there. that says they walked by. Miss So-and-so's room and saw. both you kissing." And the whole crowd. The whole.

student body said, "Ooh." You know. I. said, "Huh? Why would I be kissing a grown-up?" You. know, I was smart, you know what I'm. saying? She's like, "I saw you, Aaron. I saw. you.". I said, "You didn't see me. I was in lunch.". "No, you were in there kissing." I said, "It's her story against mine.". You know what I'm saying? And and they. called. us to the office and called. the teacher to the office, too. Yeah. And I was sweating. I bet.

And they saying they said her name, "This this is alarming." And she's like, "I would never. with a student." You know, I remember. her, you know, like pleading her case. and being real serious, you know. Mhm. And uh. nothing happened. We didn't get in trouble cuz I didn't. tell. But you guys were having Were you guys. having sex? Yes. In the classroom? >> No. Okay. After school. That's another.

story, you know what I'm saying? >> On school campuses, though? >> No, no, no, no, no. >> Okay. Okay. Call home, see if you can. help me after school. Can I help my. teacher after school? And she'll bring. me home, da da da. Go to her house. It's so hard for me to wrap my brain. around that because I know coming from a. man's point of view, it's like, "Oh, you. got to bag the teacher, the older. chick.". >> Like I said, I was in love. >> Right. But if we switched places and it. was a man doing that to a little girl, >> It's over. >> like, you know, like it's hard for me to.

kind of wrap my head around that and. >> And I I don't. >> not be mad at her for what happened to. you, you know. I appreciated it. Right. She got married. in my eighth grade year. And after that, we didn't talk anymore, you know what. I'm saying? After you know what I'm. saying? Because we did our thing before. we got busted, you know what I'm mean? Right. >> So, we didn't talk anymore after being. in the principal's office, you know what. I'm saying? Out of like Well, because. you guys were being watched, I'm sure, like heavily. So, I remember.

the last day of school. uh. in eighth grade walking by her room, her. classroom. And I walked by, I could see. her in my peripheral. She had been. married already and everything, changed. her name. Um. when I passed her room, I heard a voice. say, "Hey.". I'm like, she's like, "You're not going. to give me a hug? I'm not going to see. you again. You're going to the high. school." Yeah. >> And gave her a hug. Never seen her again. She never tried to reach out to you or.

anything after that? >> I was You know, I ran away like years. after that, you know what I'm saying? From home and on the course to become. Tech N9ne, you know what I'm saying? So, Let's Let's dive into your love for. horror. >> story. >> [laughter]. >> I didn't realize how dark it was, you. know what I'm saying? Now it's dark to. me, you know. >> [gasps]. >> No. >> dark as But you know what? I think it is. This is why I say you have such a. beautiful testimony because like you. really are what you rap about rap about. And it's like a lot of people can't say.

that they are. I rap my life, you know. what I'm saying? And I found that out. early on. Quincy Jones, he told me, "Rap. what you know, and people will forever. feel you." And what I know better than. anything is myself, you know. Yes. And I. wrote about myself and my stories. And. what people. have in common and they don't really. know is emotion. Right. So, I tapped. into emotion. That's why That's how I. got fans, you know. Mhm. Um. >> [clears throat]. >> All my stories are true. Yes, absolutely. they are.

>> Except when you get to Black in the Sun, and it turns into imagination, you know. what I'm saying? Nipples and noodles and. all that kind of [ __ ] with. Trapped in the Psychos Body, it it has a. bit of imagination in there, you know. what I'm saying? But it comes from a. place. Yes. >> Um I don't blame. my teacher. for anything that's happened to me in my. life because Right. I didn't look like I. didn't look at it as. love. Right. You know [clears throat]. what I'm saying? But in truth, it is.

And her She groomed you. Yeah. >> You know, and I mean, I'm sorry, but a. 21-year-old looking at a 13, 14-year-old. like that is This is no, but I already. came at 12, though, with Marlene. >> Right. No, and I kept that, and I love. that you I love that you didn't. internalize. it as being. But. responsibly, I have to say, you know, like if that was a man doing that to a. little girl, we would all lose our. minds, you know. >> I heard stories later on that I wasn't. the only one.

See what I'm saying? It's predatory. It's very predatory. >> say, "You know, So-and-so hit, too." I'm like, "Huh?". What? So, she was just getting it in. Yeah, that's [laughter] what I heard. I. don't know. And the fact that they even. still let her work at the school is just. wild. But Like I said, she was 21. Yeah. Well, but what what I'm saying is like. after she you guys got caught and them. still letting her work there, that would. never fly this this time around. >> was it was written off like. that student was just talking some [ __ ]. >> Right. Yeah, absolutely.

>> And they [clears throat] didn't see. that. They seen me give her a hug or. something. Yeah, for sure. >> You know what I'm saying? I don't recall. what we said, but. >> Yeah. No, I get that. >> Whatever we said, it was like, "Okay." Yeah. You know. Well, let's. switch gears to a lighter subject. And. let's talk about No, it's cool. We can. go dark as much as you want to. >> to go It's going to We're going to go. through phases. Um so, let's talk about your love for. horror. You got introduced to it by your. mom. >> My Christian mama. How That blew my mind. whenever I read that.

>> She was I miss her so much, man. She was. so cool. Mattie Sue Yates before she became. Mattie Sue Yates Khalifa, you know. Um. Let me see. I was born in '71. She took me to go see. Carrie in '76. Yes. You know, um. Halloween. Halloween premiered in Kansas City in. '78. I was there. She took me. Yes. My Christian mama took me to, you know,

Kansas City. has haunted houses around Sept- late. September, October, Mhm. Halloween. We have Main Street Morgue, we have Dr. Deadly's, we used to have Dr. Deadly's. Haunted Hospital, the Edge of Hell. We. still got the Edge of Hell. Um the Beast, all these haunted houses. for you know, attractions for people who. like the darkness, you know. She took me to all that when I was. young. That's amazing to me because I.

grew up strict Pentecostal, and we were. not allowed to listen to secular music, anything that had to do with Halloween, I could never partake in it. Like so, that was really cool of her to let you. be able to experience some sort of like. I remember her dating my Uncle Ike's. friend Daniel Whitney and him being the. one taking us to this haunted house, Main Street Morgue. And I remember us. walking in. I was young young, man. You. know what I'm saying? I. I keep on going back to five. A lot of. [ __ ] happened when I was five, dude. You. know what I'm saying? It was.

really early on. Um I remember walking in the Main Street. Morgue and when you come in, you turn. right and you go up some stairs. They had a black light. I didn't know. what a black light was when I was young. And I looked at their faces and their. eyes were glowing and their face looked. crazy and it kind of scared me. But I appreciated it because I was. already going to the movies and stuff. like that, you know what I mean? On the. scary tip, my mom. showed me all the things that scared me. as a kid like clowns at the Ringling.

Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus or. the. Ararat Shrine Circus. She took me to all that. I had a fear. for clowns when I was younger. Do you. think that's why you wore face paint. >> Yeah. later on in life? >> Yeah. Cuz it was like embracing a fear? >> Yeah. That's exactly what it was. >> Yeah. I became everything. that Mautry Suyae's Khalifa showed me. Her having epilepsy. you know, when she when she married.

Hassan, when she started having. seizures, he put her in a psychiatric. ward and my Christian family hated him. for it because we've dealt with it since. she was 18 and she never had to go to a. psychiatric ward. So, he thought that. was the best thing for her because after. you have a grandma seizure, the after. effects is you talking out of your mind. You know what I'm saying? So, I used to have to come visit her there. at Western Missouri when Menorah had one. off 63rd. Um uh Research Psychiatric.

Center, all of them in Kansas City. I. went to go visit my mom. Wow. And when. they see me wearing hospital scrubs on. stage, you know what I mean? All that. the clown, the hospital scrubs, the. darkness, all that. lyrically Michael Myers and all that. kind of [ __ ]. is from Mautry Suyae's Khalifa. It. created Tech N9ne. Thank you, Mama. You. know what I'm saying? Cuz it saved my. life. Everything I built from her and. her pain.

I internalized that [ __ ] and turned it. into Tech N9ne. You know what I mean? And when people come to my house now and. they see my clown shrine with all the. Michael Myers stuff and all the you. know, I have Regan like a life-size Regan from. um The Exorcist right there. It says, "Sorry, we're dead" on her hand. She's. holding a. sign that says, "Sorry, we're dead." I. have this in my house and people like, "What's up with all this devil shit?" I. said, "It ain't devil [ __ ] My mom. taught me early on when I was younger. that these toys, these dark toys.

that you see. don't think of them any other kind of. way than you think of your G.I. Joe toys. or. your Star Wars toys. or when you see Barbie and Ken, it's. plastic and you can't give it any energy. at all. And people believe that you can, that you'll have dark energy in your. house. And when you look at my shrine, that's Mautry Suyae's Khalifa right. there. And it reminds me her birthday is. October 26th. She's in that.

kind of fall kind of feel. So, when the. fall comes and and Halloween, it's just. a reminder of my mom. I became the clown. painted my face early on in 90 94. I. painted my face for the first time, you. know what I'm saying? I got my face. painted that is. And um now when you see. the clown with the red nose. on a stage, you know, the mask I use. now, you know it's just what that clown. with that paint and that clown in my.

head has. transformed into and it gets worse and. worse over the years, you know what I'm. mean? Not within me though. I just. know what that darkness feels like of my. mom being in a psychiatric ward and. having the seizures and seeing her. busting her head wide open from falling. out on the floor and hitting her head on. the um. bathroom you know I mean the bathtub, you know what I'm mean? I've seen the. puddles of blood, her laying in them, getting beat up, all that stuff.

I can I I know what that darkness is. >> Yeah. So, I make the clown look like. something hideous like that, you know. what I'm mean? You turned your tra-. trauma into triumph. >> Yes, I did. >> much what you did. >> Mhm. Mhm. I did the same thing but in a. different way, not with the clowns and. stuff like that. But it's like you you. alchemized your pain. Mhm. And that's so. beautiful that you, you know, were able. to have that consciousness to do that. instead of letting it consume you.

>> Or drive me crazy. >> Right. >> You know what I'm mean? Did you ever. fear that you would end up in a place. like your mom if you let the if you let. it No. >> consume you? >> like I would end up in a psychiatric. ward because I've always been super. cerebral. You know what I'm saying? Like. a thinker. You know, and I always I was so I've. always been so. logical. >> and stuff like that that I always feared. having an aneurysm or something, you. know? [clears throat] Cuz it never.

stops, you know? Sometimes I have to do mantras to go to. sleep to make it stop, you know? >> Right. But. um. I never thought I would end up in a. psychiatric ward. I wanted to be a. psychol- a psychiatrist. To figure. people out. >> Yeah, I wanted to understand. a lot of things, you know? I studied. serial. going to school, you know? I bought. books, you know, Manson and Ted Bundy. and you know what I'm saying? The .44. caliber killer, you know what I'm. saying? It's It's all these things I. studied because my mom said I was her.

angel sitting down to help people, you. know? So, I wanted to. find out about my opposition which would. be evil because I am angel, you know. what I'm saying? What you what I got. right there, you know? And uh. I never thought I would lose my mind. And I never lost my mind. I don't think. I lost my mind. >> [laughter]. >> Travis would know if I lost my mind. >> Not intentionally. Maybe on. [clears throat] a party night. Life [laughter] be like, "What's going. on in this brain?" But I ain't never.

lost my mind, you know what I'm saying? >> Got you. So, can we talk about I read somewhere. that you have an an obsession with the. number nine and the birth of Tech N9ne? Did that come from that? >> I got my name in '88 from the gangster. named Black Walt. um. I didn't have a name when I wrote my. first three verse rhyme, you know what. I'm saying? The New Breed. I was My. first rhyme I was just going with my. middle name, D O N T E Z Z. I didn't. have nothing, you know? So, he was in a group called Black Mafia. He.

had Mac-10, not Mac-10 Ice Cube. This is. Kansas City, you know what I'm. >> Mac-10. [laughter]. I got that Mac-10. That This was a Mac-10 early on in. Kansas City, you know? Before Mac-10. came out, you know? >> Right. The OG. Yeah, you know, we. started calling him Shorty Mac, you know. what I'm saying? Later on in life, you. know what I'm saying? Got you. >> when I when they heard me do New Breed, my three verse rhyme, my first three. verse rhyme, they were like, "Man, we. got to find you a name, bro." And Black. Mafia, man, we we already got one gun.

Let me look in the guns and ammo books. and try to find you another one, you. know? And they looked at Uzi, you know what. I'm saying? He's like, "Nah, nah, you. got that Lil Uzi Vert, you know?". >> [laughter]. >> 12 gauge, >> But cuz you spit like an Uzi though, huh? Because like so fast. >> they're trying to find something, you. know what I'm saying? 12 gauge, I'm. like, "Nah, man. 12 gauge is a loaded. gun and I'm done by nuns. Don't shake. that donkey butt and them big old legs. I ain't too hard to bake, you know what. I'm saying? You know, people got that. too, you know what I'm saying? We went. AK-47. Nah, nah, nah, nah. We went. through the whole book and there was no.

nothing in there. We didn't find. anything. But it was a picture of a Tech. N9ne on the back. He's like, "Tech. N9ne.". He said because the way you spit, da da. da da da da da da, you know? I'm like, "Okay." He said, "That's going to be. your name till we find something else.". But the way we spelled it, T E C H was. short for technique. And after I started. studying numerology, I found out that. nine was the number of completion. Nine. months completes a pregnancy. They say. cats have nine lives. After nine, there's nothing else like it. It's. double and triple or whatever. You know. what I'm saying? Um. I became the complete technique of.

rhyme. Tech N9ne, technique number nine, you know what I'm saying? Everything to. be able to. I'm rooted in rap but be able to adjust. to any musical situation. You know what I'm mean? >> And what your fan base shows that. >> Yes. Your fan base You have metal fans, you have juggalo fans, you have hip-hop. heads. Like I mean. >> I got all of it. >> You've got it all. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> It covers every That's how I That's how. I wanted it to be. I wanted to make Tech. N9ne. the MC that can do anything. Yeah.

When you first started rapping, was it. always so fast or did you have to. develop that style because your brain. has got to fire at a different. frequency? That's from years of practice. doing it. But when I first started. my. um. one of my first rhymes So, that's why. they said I don't It was like, "So, that's why they said I don't What did I. say? So, that's why they said I don't. let me get. It It was like going like, but da da da. da da da da da da da da da da da da da.

da da da da da, you know what I'm. saying?". And I attribute that to. listening to Slick Rick. People like. Slick Rick didn't rap like that. But you. know, he'd be like, "Around this part of. town with diamonds in your girl in. front. I'm trying to enter in this rap. thing cuz you having fun." But da da da. da da da da da It's like It's like he he. would do a little Jamaican like toasting. like, "Don't worry about a thing cuz. Rick Rick is bringing home the goods.". I'm like, "That's dope.". >> Yeah. So, I turned that Don't worry. about a thing. Don't worry about a. thing. I like That's like Jamaican.

Don't worry about a thing. Don't worry. about a thing. Don't worry about a. thing. But da da da da da da da da da It turned. into chopping, you know what I'm saying? And when I say that to people they like, "Wow." You know what I'm saying? It was. just like, "Don't worry about a thing. Don't worry about a thing.". It was like that's how I started. rhyming, you know? It's almost like. gibberish, kind of. Like a form of it. >> Well, no. Okay. Not [laughter] when you. speaking of Tech N9ne because I. pride myself on clarity while speeding.

>> Right, right, right. But it's like the. double time is like how they do it in. gibberish, correct or no? Uh I don't. really know. I. I think they call it bebop. You know. what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? Bebop. You. know that's what That's why Quincy Jones. signed me in '97. He said, "Your style. remind me of bebop.". But. uh I think that's what you mean by. gibberish. Well, well there's a. language, right? What is it pig Latin or. gibberish or that I'm thinking of where. they double up the words? Do you guys. know what I'm talking about? Pig Latin? Okay. Yeah. Usually gibberish mean you can't.

hear it. >> Oh, got you. Okay. I thought Well, I. thought it was called gibberish but. maybe it's like another word for pig. Latin. It was gibberish though but um so. pig Latin where they like double up the. words is what I'm saying. Either way, it's fascinating how you do it because. it's like I I just. I don't know how somebody's brain can. just fire on all cylinders. >> because that signal from your brain to. your tongue Yeah. takes work. It's hard. No, it's insane. >> It's hard when when when I'm writing.

you know, I have to put it on a. dictaphone recorder to see if it works. Yeah. >> the words work off of each other, you. know what I mean? When I'm writing that. style because that ain't the only style. I do but that's one of the ones that. people know me from from a song that I. did in '98 called Questions on the Gang. Related soundtrack. >> Right. >> was like, "I don't know if I want to. stick him with another hit about a. bitch." They want to know who that guy. is. So, since then. since '98 everybody that wants a. mostly everybody that wants a song from. Tech N9ne wants the chopping. I'm so.

tired of racing. No. I'm so I can race the best of them, you know what I'm saying? I've done. songs with Eminem and. Kendrick and. everybody, you know what I'm saying? You. know. But you're I I just feel like I feel. like you're at a point where you don't. even need to prove yourself to anybody. anymore. >> I don't. I don't but people. >> N9ne. People, the younger generation. want to race me. >> [laughter]. >> because they grew up listening to me. They want a song with Tech N9ne. Yeah. So, you know, when when I did a.

song with NF, much love to NF. you know, his fans. when we did Trust. I'm dancing all over that too, you know. what I'm saying? That track, you know? You know, Tech N9ne, next king god, everybody know I'm a deaf brain god, that lingua, back thing, yeah, living a. rebel rock way, you know, I'm talking. some [ __ ] This is what I give it such. an incredible wicked breath of vivid. guts of what I'm really going, you know? As you said. >> And and his and his fans they was like. "NF really stood up with Tech N9ne." You.

know what I'm saying? That's. That's something that's a thing. Yeah. >> He can hold his own with Tech N9ne, you. know what I'm saying? So, I think a lot. of guys coming up. really want to race me at a time where I. I've raced my whole career. I'm tired of racing. Yeah. I can do it. You know what I'm saying? And Token I. No, I can't I can't. >> [laughter]. >> I can't give it away, you know what I'm. saying? You know what I'm saying? Token. Well, I'll say Token sent me one and. we're racing. Yeah? You're going to say.

you're going to let him race you even. though you're tired of it or is it just. because. >> Yeah, I still race Yeah, but I mean. you're So I can still Of course I'm. tired but I still go when I. if it's if it's if it's worth me going. If it's worth me going. Yeah. >> You know what I'm saying? Like me and. Jelly got songs. We didn't have I didn't. have to race. >> Yeah. You know, we can just do music, you know what I'm saying? >> and. >> Yeah, I can sing, you know what I'm. >> Creature was amazing. >> Yeah, man, it's like platinum and [ __ ]. >> F U 2 was amazing. What you guys did. that in the in a hospital? Right. The.

video was in a hospital. >> Yeah, yeah, easier for you, you know. what I'm saying? You know, it's we can. do. you know, do you know somebody in pain? I know somebody's, you know what I'm. saying? We got to sing and play, you. know what I'm saying? Do you prefer that over having to rap. fast? >> I love writing songs. that people can say. Now, when it come. to the technicians they can say all my. [ __ ] okay? I want to see how because. it's hard for me. >> [laughter]. >> Like a song called Like So Dope when I. sit beside a sick and seductive sinner. see something so sinister seek a sick.

and seductive sinner pee. It's like I. try to make it to where nobody can do. it. The [ __ ] can do it, dude. >> Right. >> But. I like to do. >> [laughter]. >> I like to do music where I don't have to. race everybody, you know? >> Right. Ronnie Radke for instance, you know? >> [laughter]. >> Good old Ronaldo. [screaming]. Ronnie Radke, I love him to death, man. So, I I do a song I do the song the the. big song we got, you know, >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. called Ronald Mhm. and uh Which.

you did it phenomenal in that. Yeah. >> Yeah, but when you. >> something before that where I'm just. doing my singing. Mhm. Uh Doing it. minutes on it minutes on it minutes on. it on it on it on it on it on it on it. on it on it on it on it on it on it on. it on it on it on it on it I'm singing, you know? >> Mhm. And he was like, "This is dope, man. It's so dope." You know, the first four. bars I was singing. So dope but then some weeks went by. He's like, "Hey man, can I talk to you for a minute?" I'm. like, "Yeah.". He's like. "You're singing at the top of yours and. then when yours is over I come in.

singing. This Like to me it's too much. singing, you next day and I'll just. rap.". You know? Mhm. He said, "Yeah, let's try. that." You know what I'm saying? But. before like when I after I hung up like. 10 minutes later he said he text me. He. said, "How about you just scrap that and. just come in shredding." I'm like, >> [laughter]. >> What's the rate? Well, because Ronnie is. still and this is no disrespect to you, Ronnie. Um he's one of our friends also but.

he still has something to prove when it. comes to rapping. Yeah, but but. >> have the longevity that you do. >> tell you Yeah. >> that's how I found that [ __ ] because I. was looking for metal choppers and I. Mhm. watched the world burn. I was like, Yeah. Yeah. He got it already. He knows. how to do it, you know what I'm saying? So. when he said that I called X-Rated, one. of our artists. I said, "Man, he want me. to change my first four bars." He said. it's too much singing. He's like, "Man, them [ __ ] Man, they they's scared of. you, man." You know, I was like, "Nah,

[laughter] I don't think it's that. I. just think it's too much singing.". Right. So. he changed it, you know, he had me. change it and just come in chopping, you. know what I'm saying? What is up with. your money? You thinking the devil is. making a crime of the people are evil. and never know demon is on the opposite. of a divine? No. Yes, you know what I'm. saying? He was right. But he wanted me to race cuz that's what. he knows from Tech N9ne from Worldwide. Choppers. >> Right. We put out Worldwide Choppers. some years late some years ago Mhm. and. that went platinum Yes. >> with like 12 people on it, you know what.

I'm saying? It was Busta Rhymes on it. It was Twista. It was Yelawolf. It was. Oh, I remember. >> Uso's, JL, it was people from Istanbul. on it, you know what I'm saying? It was. like Jay Rock, you know, so many people. on it. If you could do another Worldwide. Choppers with other people on it, what. artists would you bring on it? Okay, here's the story. >> [laughter]. >> Baby, can you hit the button? >> this around Travis but I got to tell, you know? >> [laughter]. >> Travis is in the corner watching.

I did another Worldwide Choppers 2. Okay. My idea. was to get Eminem on it. Mhm. He did it. Wow. When he sent the verse in. you know, Chris Kaliko got it before. Eminem. Mhm. We love Chris Kaliko. >> to listen to Chris Kaliko verse cuz I. didn't want to be influenced by it. Mhm. So, I never listened to it. I did my verse without listening to. nobody. Wow. I al- always started off. and I send my stuff to people so it can.

be a greater song. A lot of artists. won't do that cuz they don't want to be. outdone. I feel like like Eminem say, "My spot is forever reserved." I don't. give. We We going If you do better than me. makes for a better song. That's what I. think, you know? So. um when we got the Eminem verse already. had people putting fillers out to get. Daddy Yankee on it. I was scared of ask. Wayne about Nicki Minaj but I wanted her. on it. That would be dope. And I had I. had No, I had people on it that never.

been heard before like. Gabby Gab from At- from Atlanta, Georgia, a female rapper with Nicki, you. know what I'm saying? I was going to put. females on it. You know what I'm saying? Um. Who else did I Oh, I was going for. Kulega over in Germany. Mhm. Trav and. them said, "Man, with Eminem you can't. put all those no name on there." You. know what I'm saying? Which I [laughter]. do understand where From a business. point of view, I do understand that. >> Yeah. >> But if we did though, I think it would. turned out just like Worldwide Choppers.

platinum. Speed them with Eminem ain't. even platinum. Ain't even gold, Right. You know what I'm saying? Because. people love it. but they said, "This is not Worldwide. Choppers." Right. >> And I had to lie and say come up with. some [ __ ] like we're we're the dopest. rappers worldwide. Right. >> what I'm saying? We're the dopest. choppers worldwide, you know what I'm. saying? They said, "Okay, we get it.". >> [laughter]. >> Now they they I don't know what the. numbers are on it, Travis, but you know. what I'm saying? It ain't Worldwide. Choppers. Yeah, so you guys never.

dropped the one with Eminem or you Oh, you did drop it. I've never heard that. one. >> don't know what the numbers are on it. It was like it's like. Let [clears throat] me see. What did I. see last? On YouTube the views was like. 28 million or something like that. I. don't I mean that's nothing to scoff at. >> million It was one of them. Just on the. just on the just on the audio, you know? So, it only ended up just being just you. and Eminem on the track or a couple. other people? >> It was me, Eminem and my brother Chris. Kaliko. Okay, got you. So like I said, I. never.

listened to Chris Kaliko's verse until. after I finished my verse and I had my. engineer Ben, we call him Ben-gineer. Yeah. Let me hear Kaliko's verse in studio. I. was like, "Holy. >> [laughter]. >> Yes." I love Chris and his wife. >> my label wanted it to just be me and. Eminem and I get that. You know what I'm. saying? But Chris is my brother, you. know what I'm saying? I'm like, "Okay, if you do something dope. and Eminem even said his verse was dope, you know what I'm saying? So when you. listen to Speedom now and we dedicated. it to Richie Havens, rest his soul, you. know, his Yeah. estate said, "Yes, to.

use Freedom." We called it Speedom, you. know, and uh. I don't even know what we was talking. about that, but. >> No, I love that. Um so we were talking. about how you actually became Tech N9ne, where you got your name from. >> We was talking about the choppers. >> And then how your flow. >> how everybody wants me to chop and I'm. tired. That's what we talking about. Tired of what. I love you, Tech. He said, "I'm. tired.". >> [laughter]. >> Stop racing. But I will take on. >> hear this man loud and clear? He stopped. racing. >> They're not going to stop. No? No, JID.

just sent me one a few months ago. JID. just sent me one a few months ago that I. I still ain't done yet because I got so. busy, but I'm still going to do it for. him. JID sent me one. He's racing me. Yeah. So he like, "Duh duh duh duh duh duh. duh." And then I'm like, "Shit." Well, it's not going to stop because you're. the greatest. And it's like and do you. And this is, you know, could be a. long-winded question, but it's not going. to stop until you pretty much retire. And do you think you're ever going to. retire from music?

>> [sighs]. >> Do I think I'm ever going to retire from. music? Uh. I still Was that a fart or a still. snort? Okay. >> snorting. >> [laughter]. >> Tech, I would not be over here lighting it up. I'm just saying, [clears throat] it's. your house. I'm like, No. Damn, what you. eat before you came here, buddy? You. know what I'm saying? >> Listen, I have been with my husband 10. years and he's only heard me fluff one. time. I would never be over here just. ripping it ever, all right?

>> that farting. >> [clears throat]. >> in the workplace is considered sexual. harassment. >> Are you kidding me? [laughter]. Stop it. >> made any sense to me cuz I'm like, "How. is that like Is that like an invitation. where you want to. >> [laughter]. >> hit my ass?". >> Somebody's like asking a question with a. fluff. >> what it's like. Why would that be. harassment like. >> [laughter]. >> at work at the getting coffee? Because. people like cuz we are we're literally. in an era where everybody gets a trophy, so people will make up [ __ ] to be mad. about. I swear. Yeah, I don't know if. it's really indeed, you know,

if it's sexual harassment at the. workplace and I suppose it's for. Yeah. So that's for your dog. >> [laughter]. >> Try to stop fluffing over here. He has. the silent but deadly ones. This guy. right here. Trust me, you won't hear it, you'll smell it. Yeah, but um yeah, they. still want to race me. The younger. generation are still contacting me. want to race. Yeah, for sure. But like I. said, are they they're going to want to. race you until you retire. So do you. think you would ever retire from music? Or That's what I'm saying. That's what. I'm saying. >> Yeah, yeah. Sorry I'm so sporadic today. You're okay, baby. Don't worry. Um.

>> [clears throat]. >> I still. get excited. when I hear dope beats and melodies. Yeah. I still get excited. Yeah. Cuz I love. music. I used to be a dancer, pop locker, break dancer, all that when. I was younger, you know what I'm saying? I still Can you still do it? Can you. still do it? >> I can still do it, you know what I'm. saying? I. On one of those tours, on that E-40 tour. we went on, I was doing this break. dancing song I did called uh Don't. Nobody Want None, you know? And I was. break dancing every night and I hate.

myself for it cuz my knees were dead. after that tour. You didn't have knees. like that. >> I didn't have no knee pads or nothing, just going rogue on the stage, you know? So um but to answer your question, I don't know because I still get excited. when I hear good songs like. that one I just saw Zelly Du with these. other guys like Hallelujah. That swing Mhm. Ah. Well, they should do.

a remix and put Tech on it. That's. I heard that [ __ ] and I heard him I. heard him do it live at the Super Bowl. at their show with Eminem and Swae Lee. I heard him do it. I said, "That's the. one I heard lately." I'm going to put it. in his ear. Oh. [snorts]. I'll put it in his. That would be fire to have all three of. you guys on a track. >> you got to do my song first that I sent. him already, you know? Okay. Well, I'll. I'll get Listen, I barely even get to. see my damn husband, so I don't know. what's going on, but I'll talk to him. about that, too. >> can talk about Hallelujah. >> [laughter].

>> I got your back, Tech. [clears throat] I. promise. >> Yeah, and and I'm not I'm not racing on. Sacrifice, either. Yeah, good. So. instead of retiring, do you think that. you would ever step into like maybe a. mentor position of like like kind of. like what what Jay-Z Always said. always said that. maybe. when we get to the point to want to sell. Strange Music or something, I'll. do stuff to help my artists, you know. what I'm saying? Or you know, and do. verses here and there. I don't know, but. >> Yeah. I can't I don't I don't see that because.

I'm getting better with my pen. Right. You know? >> Cuz you're getting wiser, too. And you. just have so much life experience. >> from saying [ __ ] that will piss people. off is the hardest these days. >> [laughter]. >> Right. I mean, You know, like when it. comes to religion and politics and. sexuality and all that kind of stuff, that's. not my business, you know what I'm. saying? It's like I don't judge people. on their sexuality, you know what I'm. saying? I never have and I never will. And I don't know why people are so, you know,

fixated on people and their sexuality, but you know, I get when people say. you're doing it on on a show where kids. are watching and you kissing a man or. whatever and now people upset. I get. that, but at the same time, I ain't really worried about nobody's. sexuality, but as far as religious. beliefs and. politics and [ __ ] I try to be careful. Right. because all this [ __ ] is gang. [ __ ] to me. Well, speaking about. politics, I mean, Donald Trump pretty. much adopted your red red kingdom.

anthem. >> [laughter]. >> Listen, I pay attention to it all, baby. Um. How did that feel for you? And we can. cut this part off, too. Part off, too. >> it off. Okay. >> No, you can ask me anything. >> Yeah, I just, you know, I just always. want to be respectful, but you know, I. was wondering. >> calling me like, "Daddy, you got to say. something. >> [laughter]. >> You got to do People going to think. that's you." I said, "People can think. what the they want.". >> Right. When you. write music. and you put it out to the public, their.

perception of what it means is going to. be different. However they perceive that song is how. they're going to use it. Right. And when. they put it out, >> [clears throat]. >> you know, when you put it out, you know, that's what that's what happens, you. know? And uh. My kids didn't like that, you know what. I'm saying? They wanted me to tell. people I don't do this. I'm like, I'm. like, "No, no, no, no, no." You can't. get into politics because you'll be. damned if you do, damned if you don't. >> All I know and then, you know, all I. know is that it's crazy how on that song.

how the number spiked. Oh, [laughter]. because it's literally it's it became. pop like you're already such a huge. presence, but it became like pop. culture. You know, once you hit that pop. culture. >> What was that What was that. Was it an indictment trial or I forget. >> Impeachment. Oh, was that what it was. for? Okay, I thought it was for his. campaign. Yeah. Yeah, they did. They called it riot music and I made it. for the Chiefs. Right. You know what I'm.

saying? I said, "Number 58 is DT the. Great and we find it Derek Thomas, rest. in peace." You know what I'm saying? But. the hook, red kingdom. I had no idea. the Republicans were going to hijack my. song and turn it into their [ __ ] you. know what I'm saying? >> Listen, the the Republicans hijack. everything. I had a. What was it that went viral? A sound. that went viral that said I woke up this. morning and I feel like trash. But it I it's French for I feel like. garbage. That's French for French for. trash. All the Republicans grabbed that.

after somebody said something about. somebody being trash in Puerto Rico or. something. >> Oh, [ __ ]. >> It went viral. So it's like that's what. happened to your song and that's why the. streams went so crazy is because that. [ __ ] was on TikTok. And I'm telling you, it was everywhere. I was like, "Go, Tech." I was so excited for you. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, so we we we're. the kind of. I'm the kind of artist. that [snorts]. I do the music and I go. When I don't. look back and then next thing you know, I got all these platinum and gold.

plaques coming in. Mhm. That was a flex. I mean, as [clears throat] you should. >> But uh. I just do the work and then [ __ ] pops. up, you know what I mean? And uh Let's. let's dial back real quick and let's get. into when you got your first record deal. in '97. When you. >> No, it was it was '93. '93 was my. second. >> Sorry, I'm not looking at my notes. >> No, '93 I got my first record deal with. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis at Perspective. A&M. >> Yes, '93 to '95, correct? '93 to '95, they let us off in '95.

Started working with Don Juan around. that time. I was working with Icy Rock. that, you know, um. that got me the deal with Jimmy Jam and. Terry Lewis in '93. Icy Rock was a. producer of mine. He did It's Alive. He. did T9X. He did a lot of songs for me in. the past, you know? And um. after that relationship was kind of. damaged, Don Juan came in and Diamond, rest his soul, they wanted to.

see if I could do hood music. I said, "I'm from the hood." Cuz you know, with. Icy Rock, we're doing nut house [ __ ]. you know? So we doing the the scrubs. and, you know, my mom, you know, we. doing dark [ __ ] you know? And uh he's like, "You doing that crazy. [ __ ] over there with Icy Rock. Can you. do the do some hood shit?". They gave me the [clears throat] beat to. Mitch Bade. I said, "I'll be back. tomorrow.". Have you ever met a [ __ ] who was pies. from? It's a lot of slinky [ __ ] where. I come from. There's another missile. catcher just like him. His name is.

Mitchell Bade. Mitchell Bade. [laughter]. You know what I'm saying? It's like, "What the. I'm on here like, "What up, Mitch? Is it. a everyday thing for you to act just. like a How does it feel to have a [ __ ]. with the I forgot how it goes, but it's. I'm like busting on it. >> Right. That [ __ ] went to the. and topping Kansas City. It was on the. radio and everything. And back then it was hard to get radio. play, wasn't it? Because like. >> Yes, it was. >> Yeah. It. >> Yes, it was before. >> of like a cult that you have to get. into. You have to get into. >> That was undeniable though. They had to. play Mitch Bade, you know.

>> Yeah. And uh it was it was a it was a struggle. to get songs on the radio in KC for us. for sure until Mitch Mitch Bade. Cloudy. Eyed Stroll and Mitch Bade. Mitch Bade. was the B-side of my single Cloudy Eyed. Stroll. It was like really calm song. Right. Mitch Bade was the B-side. Yeah. Cloudy Eyed Stroll was on the radio. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? But Mitch Bade. took over. >> Mhm. Then right behind Mitch Bade, I got. with my group 50 my my my blood home. boys and we started a group 57th Street.

Rogue Dawg Villains. and we did a song called Let's Get Up. Mhm. On radio. Everything we touched. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? >> And this was after your record deal from. '93 to '95 [clears throat] or was this. during? No, this is this is after. Okay. >> This is after the this is after '95 when. we got released. >> Got you. You know what I'm saying? So. with Don Juan Mhm. that's when we in '97. that's when we got the deal with Quincy. Jones Quest Warner, yeah. >> Right. One thing I I respected about reading. your. uh situation with the record label from.

'93 to '95 was that you said some that. they they like put somebody. in a car with you and the dude was. telling you that you had to change and. and you're like, "No. I'm not changing. how I am." And like you really like. stood your ground and was like, "No, I. know who I am and I'm not changing for. anybody." I know his name, too. His name. was Life Allah. He was from the East. Coast. Yes. In '93. >> [clears throat]. >> um. he I guess I know Protect Ya Neck just. came out.

Wu-Tang, [clears throat] you know. Mhm. And uh. he's like, "You got to do this, son. You got to do this. You got to do you. know what I'm saying? Method Man, whatever the You know what I'm saying? I. was like, "No, that's them. I got to do me.". And that was the tension. You know what. I'm saying? Same thing with in '97 with. Quincy Jones. He wanted me to do. whatever I wanted to do, but his. people who worked at his label wanted me. to do like popcorn [ __ ] You know what. I'm saying? They they wanted me to do. this song for the Shaq movies.

called Steel. He was like RoboCop or. some [ __ ] I don't. >> Right. And um I had a song like, "He. strange. and I like it. He strange just the way. he is. Take a knee Take a knee What's. up? Why you so damn psycho?" Couldn't. tell you, baby, you know. >> [laughter]. >> It was like cookie cutter [ __ ]. >> Right. >> But I could do it. Right. >> Produced by Quincy Jones, his son QD3. the third of Quincy Jones the third. Um. but at the time I had.

Tech N9ne. I had Planet Rock the Down. South remixes, you know. I said, "I want. to start with this one.". He's like, "Mhm, nah. It's regional. Nope.". You know? And I'm like I told Quincy and. he started firing. So they hated us up there because he. favored us, you know. >> Right. And uh. I met Travis. the next year the next summer in '98. '98. So before you met Travis and we're.

going to get we're going to pull Travis. in whenever we get to there. >> Yes. You did something with Death Row. and Suge Knight. Was that. >> in '98. >> That was in '98 also. >> that was the year I met Travis. >> Okay, got you. >> But it was '98 when I was out in LA. before I went home home to KC, you know. what I'm saying? >> Got you. Um Tell me about meeting Tupac. and like I I actually have hung out with. Suge numerous times. >> Yes, me, too. And we can cut this out if. I don't know. >> No, we don't. That's my. >> [laughter]. >> That's my brother. No, no, no. Well, I'm. talking about for me, too, though. But. cuz Suge gets such a bad rap and he was.

a nice guy. Thank you. I have never told. this story on the podcast before, but I. used to do cocktails at the Palms and. Suge would come in every night. He'd be. so. And he would be the nicest dude. I. kicked it with him on several birthdays. and everything, man. >> He was so nice. Like he never was. disrespectful to me. He was like my. homie, dude. And he would hit me all the. time. >> good dude. It's just that. >> You encounter people in the industry. Not saying they deserve anything. I'm. just saying you encounter.

[ __ ] in the industry. >> Yeah. And uh sometimes people handle it. differently. Right. You know what I'm. saying? And. I don't know I don't know his whole life. >> Right. >> what he done to people, but I know. when I'm around him Yeah. and we around. all the homies with him and everything. is all love, all respect. We party. together. He came to my shows. >> Yeah. >> whenever I was in Vegas and San Diego, he would come to my shows, you know what. I'm saying? Just showing love, man. Yeah. So um. >> Yeah, absolutely. What about meet when. you met Tupac? Cuz like you said you've. met him on probably like what four.

instances? Well, I met him in '93. >> Okay. No. '92. at Jack the Rapper. It's a musical conference a music. conference that they used to have in uh. Atlanta at the Atlanta Hilton. Mhm. You. know what I'm saying? Um. And I met him in the lobby. He was checking out this uh You guys, I'm so excited to see My Chemical.

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your SeatGeek tickets. That's 10% off. tickets with promo code bunny10. Make. sure you click the link in the. description to download the app and have. the code automatically added to your. account, so you can use it later. Thanks, SeatGeek. I love you. He's checking out this uh stripper this. dancer. Had a big old ass. Used to be at the BRE. conventions or I went you know years. before, you know? I'd see her all the. [clears throat] time. She was Caucasian. girl with a big old ass, you know what.

I'm saying? >> Yeah. We love those. Pac was standing behind her, you know. what I'm saying? [laughter]. I was like I I could just visualize it. Okay. Um. >> [laughter]. >> Pac was standing behind her. He's like, "I'm black owned. I'm black owned." You. know what I'm saying? I guess this is. after the riots, you know what I'm. saying? He's like, "I'm black owned.". >> Yeah. And I went up to him and I was. like, "Hey, you Tupac. You can do. whatever you want with that." He's like, "Nigger, I'm black owned.". >> [laughter]. >> Like, "What does that mean?" Do you know. what I'm saying? And I was like, "Oh, during the riots.

whatever building had black owned, nobody would So he said he must got. black owned written across him cuz the. wouldn't him, you know what I'm saying? >> [laughter]. >> So I met him that [clears throat] year. Yeah. '92 then in '93 I got my record deal. with uh. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Life Allah and all of them I met them. the first day there, you know what I'm. saying? There was a guy named Jordy, you. know what I'm saying? He would drove us. around and Life Allah was the. guy who was trying to turn us into. whatever they wanted us to be. They took. us to this club after we checked into. the La Dufay. uh you know in Hollywood, you know? And.

um they took us to this club and Tupac. was there. I went over there and. hollered at him. Hollered at Mopreme. His brother was. with him, you know. I saw him that whole summer. We was same. everything. You know what I'm saying? Just on a. rotation. Yeah, man. >> [laughter]. >> You know what I'm saying? It's like. [ __ ] be at my house. She be crying cuz. Pac said something to her, you know what. I'm saying? Yeah. I remember like it was yesterday. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? That was like. that was like such a cool era, you know?

Cuz I was in Vegas at that time, too, and I was actually in Vegas when Pac was. Yeah. >> And it was I I remember it was like one. of the saddest days. Like it was just. such a it was like an end of an era. The. connection [clears throat]. was QD3, the producer. He did music for. Tupac. Got you. >> And me. and Ice Cube. >> Mhm. and Eazy-E. Mhm. >> You know, a lot of people, you know what. I'm saying? Yukmouth, you know what I'm. saying? The Luniz, you know. >> I got shot nine times. Yeah. [clears throat]. I love Yukmouth. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So.

that was the connection, you know what. I'm saying? Cuz you know, I would see. Pac, but we never talked about doing. music, but he talked QD3 would talk to. him about Tech N9ne, you know what I'm. saying? >> And he had told me that Pac wanted to. work. You know what I'm saying? And uh. when he got. QD3 already had a song in mind. You know? Cuz we were we were already he. was already working on one. He said, "I. got one. I'm working on it." Then he. died. Mhm. Then like 2 weeks after.

he died QD3 called me. He said, "Hey, man. Um. I got this verse on it. You still want. to do the song?" I said, "Do." Yeah. It was called Thugs Get. Lonely, Too. It was it was a version. that had. Prince sampled. If I was your. girlfriend, you know. Mhm. It had that. sample and Prince wouldn't have any old. samples. Yeah, and that's when Prince. was still alive, too. So, for him to. even okay that is historical. >> Maybe he would have did it for Pac, I.

don't know, but we it never came out. It. leaked somehow. We didn't leak it, though. I was just so happy it leaked cuz Yeah. I didn't want people to think I was. lying, you know? Like, "Dude." That's a. piece of history. >> for years, you know what I'm saying? Seeing him in LA, seeing him in Atlanta, you know? Like. So, that same year that you're going. through all that with Death Row, Travis enters the picture in '98. >> Mhm. I came back home from LA. I brought that song, Planet Rock, that I.

wanted to. and put out instead of Takin' It N A, Takin' It N A, why is it so damn psycho, you know? Mhm. I wanted to put the Down. South mix out, so. Quincy let us go. Went back to Kansas City. Brought Planet Rock back with us, me and. Don Juan. We put that [ __ ] out. They start playing. on the radio. It blew the [ __ ] up, okay? >> Mhm. So, >> [clears throat]. >> like I thought it would. Right. He leaves out right when we're about to. get to him, you know? >> [laughter]. >> And if you need to use the restroom,

too, we can break, too, if you want to. use the restroom. >> I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. I'm I'm long-winded. I can stretch it. Even if you have to [ __ ] you know what. I'm saying? I can stretch it. But, uh. we brought. Planet Rock 2K back to Kansas City and. it blew the [ __ ] up. It was a fashion show that was being. held downtown, Kansas City. Um. It was a clothing company called. Paradise Originals. >> Mhm. My boy, Heath, and all his buddies.

Travis was funding it. I went down there to the fashion show. and I did my song. You want me to jam? I'm finna in a brain waves paying for. them the same days make you sick like. bad mayonnaise. Tech N9ne got the remedy. rhyme infinity criminal leaving to be. some [ __ ] I crack you open like the. youngest male Kennedy, you know what I'm. saying? Like I'm really doing Tech N9ne, you know? >> Yeah. But, it's that beat, huh? Da da da. Yeah. N9ne. Tech N9ne Da da da [clears throat] da. da. You know, it was like that. >> Yeah. It was like that [ __ ]. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. Um they said.

>> I get hypey when he does that. Every. time [laughter] he does that, I'm like, "Yeah." I get so excited. Right, right, right, right, right, right. I told you. I'm animated, you know? No, I love it. I. listen, I've been to your concerts. before and nobody puts on a show like. you. Like it's insane. Travis, you can. go ahead and sit on the couch, too, baby. But, you know. >> You're good. >> [laughter]. >> Let's go ahead. Right before we were. here, we had breakfast and the guy. taking our order like, "You want. coffee?" I'm like, "No.". I can't have coffee. I can't ingest any. caffeine. I'm naturally caffeine. If I.

have caffeine, I'll be up for 3 days and. I need to sleep with my job. Right. Never could I have any caffeine. Can't. drink no god damn Mountain Dew, no. Dr. Pepper, Mr. Pibb, or Dr. >> to caffeine, [laughter] too. There's no. way. Or what is it? Mr. Pibb. >> Yeah, Mr. Pibb, Dr. Pepper. >> [laughter]. >> Dr. Pepper. That's disrespectful, dude. I got I got I got I was catching what. you were putting [clears throat] down, though. So, I did that fashion show Mhm. for. Paradise Originals. Travis was funding.

them, you know what I'm saying? Heath. and the boys. The next day, George Forte hit me. and he said, "Our boss want to meet. you." The boss. Yeah. I said, "Your. boss?" He's like, "Yeah, the guy, you. know, makes. Paradise work, you know what I'm. saying?" I'm like, "Oh, okay. Let's go.". Yeah. >> Took me to his house in the Blue Springs. and we had our first meeting. Travis, Mr. Travis O'Guin, has joined us. on the couch. I'm really excited to get. you both together cuz I it's I think. it's very [clears throat].

Yeah, I think this is very rare that. I've ever gotten to see you two in a. interview together, at least recently. >> think it's ever happened, [laughter] to. be honest with you. Like I mean, we. always do individual interviews. I don't. do very many. So, um. this might be a first. >> I I feel honored, like for real. So, Travis, I'm happy that you're here and I. like we were just saying, I'm so honored. that you guys are doing this together. cuz I have so many questions, especially. with you guys being like the biggest. independent label pretty much in the.

world. >> Yes, yes. >> You guys really built something from the. ground up. What was um you you were. already involved in music before you. found Tech? Cuz you were funding the. fashion show. >> Well, so I was actually involved in a. clothing company, in Paradise Originals, how we met. I wasn't really into the. music business at all. As a matter of. fact, I had [clears throat] no. experience, no background at all. And. so, um but uh I I when I went to high. school, I grew up in a in a very diverse.

neighborhood, but more importantly, it. was uh my school was about 80% black. So, I grew up around hip-hop my entire. life. I mean, from grade school, middle. school, and then into high school. So, I. was always into hip-hop. So, whenever we. wanted to do this fashion show, Tech had. a buzz because of those songs that he. talked about being on the radio and I'm. like, "Okay, yeah, let's do this. Let's. let's let's find him. Let's get him in. there and see if he'll do it." And and. he did, which was awesome. And uh but.

afterwards, like I I knew of him and I. knew of several of his songs and I. always heard about how uh he was about. to be the next biggest rapper and and. everything else. And then after we did. the fashion show, I really wanted to. talk to him to understand what that. journey was because it wasn't a lot of. the things that I heard were going to. happen weren't happening. So, I just. wanted to understand why. Like, okay, you know what what what what's your. story? And and he came and he he was. really really really open with me and he.

told me every detail. He told me about. the managers that he had which there was. a lot of them, by the way. I think he. had [laughter] like five managers or. something. I'm like, "Damn." And so, and. then, you know, all the people that were. involved. And um at first, I was like, "Okay, um you know, he told me about the. the the deal that he had with Quest and. how that was through Warner Brothers and. he had a publishing deal through. Windswept. And and it seemed pretty. complicated. And uh at first, I thought. I could go in and say, you know, maybe I. can give some advice. I was really good.

at business. I had a really successful. furniture business at the time, successful with the clothing, successful. with real estate. I was doing my thing. and and I thought maybe I could offer. some advice. And uh after I met with. him, I realized um advice isn't what he. needed. He needed some money and he. needed somebody that would go in there. and kind of clean up a few things. because it got it got a little um. it got a little. to be a little bit too much. It was. gridlock Right. the label and then the.

local label, Midwest Side Records, and. then. uh Quest, and then Warner Brothers. And. uh at that time, I'm like, "Dude, that's. crazy, man. Good luck. Cool story. Good. luck and wish you the best." And and um. but I didn't think that I could offer. any words that was going to change. anything. Right. >> And uh but we stayed in touch and and. then. um there was a time when he reached out. to me and I got an opportunity to go. down to uh it was Ice-T Rock's house and.

he played me a song. because we were together at a restaurant. when they were writing a song. This this. restaurant What was it called? Hops? Hops. Yeah, and so um and and I I was. intrigued by it. And then after it got. done, I got an opportunity to go down. there and listen to it. And that song. was called This Ring. >> Yes. Mhm. And Uh and I I was blown away. by it. Uh they were he was nice enough. to let me have a copy of it. And. [snorts] um I must have played that that. song a thousand times in my Don was like.

over it. Like she was like, [laughter]. "What are you doing with Shout out Don. We love you. And not only that, but it's like like, [clears throat] "Wait a minute. He's. trying to balance being Tech N9ne and. being married. Trying to say something? Like like why do you keep playing this. damn song?" And and it it it was I. couldn't leave it alone. And then that's. when we ended up meeting again and I'm. like, "Hey, man, tell me. what you want to do. Now, I heard what. everybody everybody else has in mind for. you, but. [ __ ] all of that. Like what do you want. to do? And that's when he told me that.

he had a publishing company called EGN. Arts." Mhm. And I'm like, "Okay." And. then I tried to put it together. >> Mhm. Yeah, yeah. And then I was like, he. goes, "That's Strange backwards." And. I'm like, "Oh, okay." And I said, "Why. is that?" And he goes, "Well, because if. I ever have an opportunity to do my own. label, I want to call it Strange Music.". And I'm like, "Oh." And then he told me. about his love for Jim Morrison and the. Doors and all of this stuff. And so, um. I I I I took a leap and said, "Okay, well, listen, man. I I don't know the.

music business, but I'm a quick learn. And uh and I have the means that you. know, the the financial means that to. help out. And I think I have, you know, a good business acumen and and I know. how to move forward relatively quickly. So, I said if you want to truly do that, uh I'll I'm in and 50/50 and we'll go. and we'll figure this thing out." Yeah. And uh oh boy. Yeah. Yeah, like what. what a wild venture for you guys to both. be like, "You know what? Let's start.

What What was it? Let's start a record. label?" Or was it just going to be like, "Hey, let me just help you out as an. independent artist first?". >> It was record label. So, it was. >> It literally was record label from the. gate. >> Right. Yeah, because I think, you know, he was he was kind of like tired of of. being stuck and nothing actually Right. coming to fruition. Like so, it's it's. like, [clears throat] you know, nothing. ever really. uh materialized and and you get tired of. that stuff. And you're living on like. minimal per diems and you can't go out. there and really Oh, I did it. We lived.

it. Right. Make make a living. So, it's. like um you know, and and I I had to. learn, man. I mean, we took and we put. together uh and I. we had to gather a bunch of songs and a. lot of the earlier producer of those. songs wouldn't give us the files because. they wanted to be paid a second time. That was a really volatile thing and. I'll save all the. back on that. The music industry is so sneaky. What's. that? >> The music industry can be so sneaky.

>> It's It's It's uh filled with a bunch of. people that I I I I don't care for 90. plus percent of the people that's in the. music business. Um you know, and and. that's No, [ __ ] that. It hasn't changed. I still don't like them. >> [laughter]. >> Talk your [ __ ] Travis. >> Yeah, I mean I I know them because. because they're so um there's so many of. them that are just They're They're. They're full of [ __ ] They're people. that are not uh They're They're not, you. know, or they're failed musicians who. find a way to wiggle into a position.

uh in the business and then they don't. know what they're doing and I call them. car salesmans cuz they all have that. that icky like car salesman personality. All those comments, "Oh, yeah, that's. going to be bananas.". Bananas got to clean LA, you know what. I'm saying? Yeah, it was LA. Everything. was. >> [laughter]. >> Everything was bananas in LA and. everybody was a dick in New York. Like. everybody was. Yeah, it was crazy. So, I have a couple. questions that I want to ask you guys, if you guys don't mind, cuz I I really. am just so blown away by what you guys.

have built, but at a time when labels. were everything you when labels were. everything, you guys went the. independent route. Did you guys ever. doubt yourselves, like whenever you were. first starting out? Well, you know, you. got to be a kind of a crazy. slightly crazy. to lose 140k on your first tour and then. go back, right? >> [laughter]. >> Wow. >> Lo- Lo- lost I. When when this thing started in the. first couple of years. we were I was a little over $2 million. of my own money in. And And initially I.

had in my mind that, you know, I might. end up spending a couple hundred grand. to get this thing to go the right way, not $2 million. You know what I mean? And but but things things were. challenging. Things were expensive and. it was hard to to figure it all out and. we kept had having to throw money at it. and but And it And it was harder. because I was a black kid. with spiked red hair. with painted face, bishop's robe on. stage.

up under it blood clothing, you know. what I'm saying? You know, it was just. like a. I would feel like that would set you. apart from everybody else, though. >> but it's a. long road. It's a long road. It's a long. road. Right. >> If you're not doing what everybody else. is doing, you know. Right. >> Think about this back then in like '99, 2000, 2001, there were no independent hip-hop tours, period. >> Right. >> The only hip-hop tours there were is. like you seen Run DMC coming with the. Beastie Boys or you seen, you know, there there was a few of those big.

tours. Yeah, stuff like that, but there. was no independent hip-hop touring at. all. So then take. add in black dude with with. wearing like spiked red hair. His name. is Tech N9ne, the name of a gun. [laughter] First strike. >> Right. And then. And then he's got face paint on and in a. preacher's robe and he's got two. strippers taking the preacher's robe off. of him. Yes. Yes. Yes. So like like so. it was not an easy sell to white. America, white club owner America. So.

I'd literally get on the phone with. these guys cuz I started by putting. together our own tours. by ourselves. We didn't have an agent. Nobody was mess. They were not going to touch us with a. 10-ft pole. Then the club owners didn't. want that in their club. They They They. were They were so fearful of it. So we. would make deals. I had to talk to Tech. like, "Man, this is crazy, but you know, our very first paid show was 500 bucks. >> Right. Right. Right. at a at an Italian. restaurant that turned into a nightclub.

uh during the weekends. Simply Sicilian. Simply Sicilian in Blue Springs, Missouri. So Shout out to them for. giving you an opportunity, though. Absolutely. >> to tell them we'd give the money back if. we have any problems. Yeah. We had to. literally convince all these different. people by saying, "Hey, look, let us. come there. Let us do the show. We'll do. a door deal and if anything goes wrong, you keep all the money." So would people. not let you buy on to tours? Was that. not a thing back then? >> They wouldn't let We We didn't really. want to go with the idea of buying on. because there were no tours back then.

You know what I mean? This is honestly. there were no tours to buy on to for. someone like him or us or whatever. So. we had to go out there and do it. ourselves or we weren't going to see. anybody. We weren't going to tour. And. And that's where we lost, you know, money on the first tour. But I always. looked at it like, "Look, if we can get. in these places and we can plant a seed, then great. Yeah, we're going to spend. money. You spend money when you do that. And then we'll come back the next time. and we'll water it, right?" And And we. still may not make money and but at the. end of the day at least we're gaining. momentum, gaining fans. And then.

[clears throat] once we come back again, now maybe we can pick a little fruit. You know, whatever the case might be. So. it was a it was a it was a journey to. get to that point and but but it worked. out. You know, we we played a show in. San Diego at the Blue Agave. >> Seven people. Seven people. Seven. people. The next time we came, it was it. was like much better, 300 something. The. next time we came and every time since. then. we've sold it out. Every single show in. San Diego. So, you know, it worked, but. but nobody knew it. And And I didn't I.

knew that I wasn't going to fail because. I just I can't accept failure. Like it's. a mental block for me. But And And Dawn. Dawn, my my wonderful wife, she never. doubted me, but did I get some of these. looks like. >> [laughter]. >> I got a few of them look, but she never. doubted it and she knew that I couldn't. stop and and. And And thank God. And she she she. helped She worked there. Her and Glenda. and, you know, sending out CDs and vinyl. to radio stations and stuff out of our. basement. Like Yeah, I mean but yeah, it.

it it it was interesting in the. beginning. Yeah. Do you guys feel like. the Juggalo community is what accepted. you first? They. They what? >> Do you feel like the Juggalo community. accepted you guys first? >> No, it wasn't It wasn't They came in in. 2003. Okay. Now I I already I started in. Kansas City. Right. You know what I'm. saying? And uh. I think. with. Mitch Bade being the first thing. all the gangsters were first.

>> Right. You know what I'm saying? And then the. college kids came. >> And those college kids will run the. numbers up. Yeah. Yeah. You know what. I'm saying? But. we did Sprite Liquid Mix tour in '02. with Jay-Z. N.E.R.D. uh Nappy Roots. >> Mhm. You know what I'm saying? Hoobastank Oh, wow. You know what I'm. saying? Yeah, yeah. That would be a. great a great tour to like circle back. So, we was already buzzing.

on that tour, you know, [ __ ] it Jay-Z. and them was coming out to see my set on. the second stage, you know. >> Right. You know, they heard about this. ring, you know. Everybody like, [laughter] "You should got to see this. ring.". I never saw him, but Chris Kaliko saw. him. He was with Talib Kweli. He was on. that tour, too. So, um the next year '03 is when I met the. Juggalos. When I When I finally found. out everything about Psychopathic cuz. I'd heard [clears throat] about Insane. Clown Posse years before when they got. signed to Disney or something. You know, I was like, "Baby, more clowns, [clears throat] more clowns." Yeah. You.

know what I'm saying? I painted my face, you know. Yeah. And um. '03 is when the Juggalos came and added. a lot to our fan base. Right. You know. what I mean? And the metal heads came. You know, and it just kept growing. Well, and that first tour that first. tour that we did with them. I actually the only tour we ever did. with them, I guess, other than the. Gathering, but it was Insane Clown. Posse. It was Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. It. was Kottonmouth Kings. And so it's like,

you know, that we we we thought, "Oh, wow, what a wild menagerie of. craziness." And loved it. And I'll tell. you what, their fan base was so. intriguing to me because they were so. devoted. >> Yes. And And And looking at that fan. base and looking at I had an opportunity. to to talk to and work with Hank. Williams Jr. and go to his. butt naked barbecue in Paris, Tennessee. and all this other [ __ ]. And And then, you know, >> Was everybody naked? Uh. No. No. The only one naked was probably.

[laughter] Hank and And that's cuz he. had to climb out of the damn lake that. he drove his four-wheeler in because he. was out of his mind. Hilarious stuff. goes on around They shoot cannons and. [ __ ] in the backyard. It's a trip. But But But watching the. what the Juggalo fan base, what Hank. Williams Jr. had to do when when country. music shunned him because they didn't. want to deal with this nepotism because. of, you know, and then looking at that. and then looking at what Kid Rock, this. white rapper that moved to New York and. was in the apartment downstairs from.

Queen Latifah, but looking at the fan. base that that Kid Rock was able to. build. And those were the things that. were so intriguing to me because look at. these fan bases. They built them and all. the odds were against them, too. And. that's when, you know, uh that That's. when I think that we really started to. focus on how can we look at and. understand and take the best things out. of all these different people's. followings. What can we get out of that? What can we learn from them? And we. learned a lot from each one of them.

including Psychopathic. And their their. merchandise game was mind-boggling. Crazy. It was so wild to see that, man. They They They did something that not. not a lot of people have ever done and. it Well, they've built a cult following, you know? And that's that's where your. real core like fan base is is in that. cult like following. And they It was a. very. uh distinct niche that they had and. those people That's why they're still. able to do it. >> Oh, it's wild. I literally I didn't know.

what a Juggalo was. And but the crazy. thing is is I listened to Insane Clown. Posse when I was younger, but didn't. know the Juggalo statement. I didn't. know what a Juggalo was until I went to. the Gathering. I I so many butt holes. >> Right. Right. >> [laughter]. >> Right. And people have I mean but they. are the nicest humans ever. Like they're. so great. They're That was one of the. biggest parties I've ever seen. The. biggest widest parties I've ever been. to. Wild. Yeah, no, it's insane. So when. did you guys know like you guys were. able to like look at each other and be. like this is going to work when it came.

to the record label? >> 06 So when like Caribou Caribou Lou came. out? >> That's when I see Yeah, we we we hit a few bumps along the way. The very first deal that we did in 2001. was with a company called J-cor and a. guy named J. Ferris who for the record. is a complete piece of [ __ ] Still is to. this day and I'd love to bump into J. sometime. I'd take a charge. I love how. you guys use first and last name. Yeah, yeah, J. Ferris. You J. >> [laughter]. >> Damn. You're a piece of [ __ ] But He was.

like and I stand on it. >> Yeah, I mean here's the thing we did a. deal with them and we did everything. that we were supposed to do and then he. literally sent us to Los Angeles to. shoot a video. And he would only pay for part of it. So. we had to come any up some money and and. the only reason we got to shoot the. video is because we did a first week. number that far exceeded what they. thought they were going to do. Keep in. mind we're an independent label. Back. then there wasn't independent. distribution. There wasn't any Fontanas. or or those types of a small indie you.

still had to get distribution. The only. way you could get it at that time was by. doing a deal because we didn't have any. sales history to really. to warrant us being able to get that. type of deal. So we did this deal. because he had a distribution deal. through Interscope. Mhm. And it was a. 50/50 JV and we outperformed everything. that they expected and then we're. supposed to shoot a video. We fly we get. to we get out to LA and we're in the. hotel room and we're supposed to do. something the first the next day and it.

doesn't happen. And then another day. goes by still nothing because we found. out the label or J. Ferris and J. Core. records wasn't wasn't advancing the. money. for the video the deposit. And so we're. like what's going on? A third day pops. off and finally I get on the phone and. I'm talking to the people over there. because you can you can't ever get to J. and they say well, he's had a change of. heart and thinks that you guys need to. do more touring before we shoot a VIDEO. LIKE THIS. >> [groaning]. >> WHAT? After they left us in LA, I'm on.

Sunset. I have to go in the hotel and. tell him this. And I'm I'm beyond furious in ways that. I can't explain and. so. >> want Travis O'Guin mad at me. >> [laughter]. >> I so I they had rented us a Lincoln. Navigator for local use around there. I went ahead and hopped in the Navigator. with a couple of the guys that were out. there with me. We arranged travel to get. him back home and I literally drove from. LA all the way to Kansas City in their.

Navigator. Their rental Navigator then I picked up. a few of my very very large friends and. drove all the way to New York City where. J. Ferris was. Wow. >> To to uh. to get out of that deal and on the way. there I'm talking to my attorneys. drawing up paperwork. You know, he owed. us money at that time and. we got there and they still wanted to. talk. I was done talking. There was. nothing else to talk about and.

we went in the offices they they had a. scare there because they they they. basically didn't pay a street team. company and the street team guys came in. there and like beat up a bunch of their. monitors with some baseball bats and. scared the [ __ ] out of them and so they. had armed security. And so when we showed up there's armed. guards all this other dumb [ __ ] and we. we we unarmed them and and placed them. in a a nice comfortable room and went. over and got the paperwork with J and.

got him to sign off on it and no one was. harmed. No you know. everything went fine. >> Yes. Real real gangster [ __ ]. >> Well we got the album gangster [ __ ]. [laughter] Yeah, we we got the album. back and. and and. >> We called it Anthill Corrections. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And and and and and you know in doing. that then you know the guy that took us. over there guy named Dave Weiner because. Violent Brown was a very big part of the. early days and she had introduced us to.

Dave Weiner who was at Priority Records. And then they you know they sold and. then Dave went over to J. Core and there. were a couple other people like Brian. Shafton and some others that were a part. of that huge success that Priority had. during all those years with Master P. with NWA with everything and so. he ended up quitting that job in protest. of the way we were being handled and. went back and got with his old mentor. A.

guy named Mark Sarami who was the one of. the two owners of Priority Records. And. and and then that's where we ended up we. followed Dave over there and did a deal. and uh those two deals are the speed. bumps and the education that we needed. and the sales that we needed in order to. get the attention of Fontana and. Universal Right. >> to get our own deal. So then we were. able to cut out the middle man and and. really focus on how. how to do it the way that we thought it.

needed to be done. Right. >> And and and and and MSC wasn't really. much better. Mark Sarami ended up being. a. a. He's an ass. too. He's a. He's a I I was going to say. Yeah, and I really don't mind like. we [laughter] actually recently just a. few years ago we ended up getting all of. the albums we put out through him back. as well. But. you know and I. he uses his crutch of he had a stroke.

He had a tray of weed brownies got on a. Learjet to go look at a yacht had a. stroke in the air and had to learn how. to eat, walk, talk and [ __ ] again or. something and he wasn't the same guy but. again the guy that took us over there. quit in protest again and moved to. Hawaii and so it's like you know it was. a weird combination you know take 2000. to 2006 that's how you can run and spend. 2 million bucks pretty quick. >> And but we got all of our [ __ ] back from. from Mark Sarami as well. too for the.

record. And uh 2006 is when we got with. Fontana and Yeah, and then we got to do. our deal. >> We did everything. No middle man between. us. And look the results are what the. results are. If if if we work hard and. we perform and we get something we. actually get paid. >> Yeah. Our wires come in religiously. every single month. It's so good. Yeah. And we we went there and we've been. there ever since. We're still there. Yeah. I mean it's changed names. It was. Fontana then it was InGrooves and now.

it's Virgin Music. But at the end of the. day we ended up finding a way to succeed. becoming in the top one or two or three. normally top one label that they had and. we maintained that for a really long. time. Yes. And and been able to do other. cool [ __ ] like It Goes Up you know our. distribution arm. >> Distribution. Which is. where where where Jelly came through. You know what I mean? So it's like He. signed on Valentine's Day in 2020. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, it's so weird that it was. Valentine's Day. Yeah, it was.

Yeah, man. I mean. it's. 2006 is when it we we realized that now. that nobody could screw up the money and. nobody was in between us and that then. it was it was all up from there. And. that's really when we started having. real success. Mhm. Tech, what was it. about Travis that made you trust this. process? Because that's a long time. 2000 1999 to 2006 before you guys are. even seeing any. recourse you know? Like what was it.

about the struggle that made you trust. him? >> When he said that. he that I opened up and told him. everything he's always been forthcoming. with everything. You know what I'm. saying? Like he's always been open not. secretive when it comes to any type of. money or any kind of thing that would. come in. You know, it it's like he's. always been. open an open book. Just like me. You. know what I mean? And uh. you can feel that. You know what I'm saying? Especially.

being. in business for 25 years. >> Yeah. You know what I'm saying? It's. pretty much self-explanatory like. >> Absolutely. Yeah. No, I I'll always be fond of Travis. He. was there when I got my first Rolex. Or. was it was it me or was I buying J his. first Rolex? I forget. >> J the Rolex through a guy here buying it. from a company that I work with all the. time out there. You know what uh Carlene. Yeah, yeah, Carlene Creations. Yeah, that's that's actually where it came. from. Yeah. Yeah. That's where I got. Yeah, that's actually where that watch. came from. I think that might be where.

this one came from. I have no idea. >> [laughter]. >> But it's just I I love my love for. Travis always is going to run deep. So. just really one other quick question. well actually two but what's your take. on this mainstream versus independent. debate because you know especially the. country rap world right now they're. insane with you know wanting it. everybody needs to stay independent or. you know. should you go mainstream? How do you. guys feel about that? I think it can work either way. Yeah. >> For people. Depends on what you want. Right. Yeah. I I think that that we were.

independent way before it was cool way. before it was sexy. We were independent. pretty much out of necessity. Mhm. I. think that you know. the lines are blurred between what was. independent and you know there's so many. different projects that like even we. worked early with TDE. We signed Jay. Rock. We had Kendrick Lamar was over. there. You know, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Black Hippie. I love Schoolboy Q. Right. and so so but when you look at that.

though like when that deal upstreamed. Interscope didn't want to be mentioned. They wanted it all to be about TDE and. Top Dawg Entertainment and they wanted. it because independent was cooler to the. fan base and and they felt like it was. going to connect better if they were in. the shadows. You know what I'm saying? So, but now I think it's so incredibly. blurred. that I I think that whatever it is the. end goal is if you want to go out there. and you want to be huge at radio, you. might have to make that sacrifice and.

sign up with the folks that are capable. of doing that, but you also have to make. sure that that is the right fit and that. they're going to do what they say. they're going to do and that you end up. getting a result that you want because. if you don't, that's an very expensive. situation. You go sign a major label. deal, you sign a 15 16 17 18 point deal. and now you're recouping at the rate of. that deal and so, you know, everybody. doesn't understand that for every $100.

the major label spends and and and then. they recoup, you're only getting $18 of. a credit out of that 100 bucks and so. now you're in a pretty deep hole and how. wild is it not to make money and you got. the number one record in the country and. you're not getting paid though from from. the record label. It's because the deal. structures are very favorable to those. majors and that's. but if if if it goes crazy and you have.

seven number one songs, then it begins. to make a lot more sense and you have. the ancillary, you have the touring. income, you have, you know, all of the. merchandise income and all these other. ancillary incomes. So, sometimes a major. deal makes sense and works for for. folks, but but the deals are constantly. shifting and changing. Distribution is. constantly shifting and changing and how. it's done. So, it's it's it's it's it's. a wild time, but you just have to be.

smart and dissect the deals that are in. front of you and really try to figure. out what your what your path is. If if. you don't care as much about radio or. you want to go through the process of. hiring and doing radios and working with. the independent yourself, you could of. course do that too. And then your reward. is much much greater if it does connect. and it does go, you're going to end up. in a really great place. You know, but. but I mean it's um I feel like radio is. so outdated too. Like how you have to. get plays and all that stuff. Like I.

watching my husband go through it, which. I'll probably get [ __ ] for talking about. this. I just feel like they're the way. they go about things is so outdated and. isn't everything more on streaming now. as opposed to radio? Everything is. indeed more on streaming than it is. radio, but radio, traditional radio, is. still a big factor on getting people to. a mass popularity. It is unfortunately. or fortunately, however you look at it, still kind of like the. it's a huge part of it. But.

now you don't only. when we started it was about the music, now it's also about the social media. It's about the Tik Tok, it's about. Instagram, it's about and not only that, but now wait a minute, not only do I. have to do those things, but okay, my. Tik Tok needs to be for my personal. moments or something, you know, you got. to campaign the [ __ ] right. So, it's. about this and then my Instagram is. going to be about the music making. process and then my Facebook's going to. you have to come up with strategies and. plans and and you navigate this space.

all the time, but like it's way bigger. than. the music now and that kind of sucks. And and and then. but streaming. streaming is the biggest theory that. we're all dealing with. How is a guy Daniel Ek, how is he worth. 3.6 billion or no, 4.6 billion recently. on the backs of all the artists and how. did how did they make a 1.5 billion.

dollar profit yet they're paying a less. than 1/3 of 1 penny per stream of the. actual artist that put in the work. And. and the way it happened was the. three majors made an alignment with. Spotify. They have ownership stake and. it was the new way for them to get. control of the business again because. independents like us were kicking their. ass. We were the subject of a lot of. different board meetings where guys. would go in and like literally like I. had this guy Richie who used to call me,

he's like, man, [ __ ] you. I'm like, what's up? He's like, dude, we had to. hear about you guys for 30 minutes. straight, people yelling at us over how. the [ __ ] you doing this and we can't. even do this. And then he said that he. used to tell his artist about us. Yeah. Yeah. So so it's like, you know, but but but. but streaming is is. really really twisted and. the creative accounting that goes on. with streaming and you got guys that are. making songs and AI 100,000 songs.

collecting millions of dollars. It's [ __ ] up and I'm. waiting for people to get as sick and. tired as we are. You know, you you got. to get people to be sick and tired of. being sick and tired and and to make a. change and. for that we we we have a lot of really. kick ass ideas like back when we did the. whole industry thing, that whole. campaign. We have it, but there are much. larger risk at play now because, you. know, when you're when you're not making.

any money and and and you know, you're. willing to say and do a lot of [ __ ] to. rattle cages. You know, and and now we have to be very. methodical because we have artists that. are signed to the label. If we did. something radical like pulled all their. [ __ ] off of a platform to create our own. platform, we could run into obstacles. that would be uncomfortable for others. So, it's not just his and mine at stake. now, it's a whole collective of people. and content and catalog that we have to. be mindful of. So, we're hoping to do it.

in a better way. Still still, you know, going crazy on people and doing things. differently is I'm down for that and I. have no problem saying, you know, well, obviously I've said it a few times about. the industry. [laughter]. Yeah, I don't have any problem the. industry anybody else that that that. wants to not treat artists fairly. That. that [ __ ] pisses me off to the core and. I I don't know how. you you. can allow people to put all their work.

in and pay them. fractions of pennies. That [ __ ] that. [ __ ] is irritating beyond words. Touching base real quick on the. artists that you guys have signed. You. guys have Chris Kaliko, Rittz, Mayday, and Stevie Stone, artists like that. What do you guys look for in artists. before bringing them in and what would. somebody have to do to be signed by you. guys? [clears throat] If somebody's. listening to this right now and is like, I want to go to Strange Music. Well, I. like artists.

that understand music. and I don't have to baby sit. Right. You. know what I mean? I like artists that I. can see. hanging with me. artist wise. You know what I mean? That. are able to do. hits. If you got a chop, you know what I'm. saying? It's not a requirement, but you know what I mean? We started. something Strange Music. and chopping was part of it.

You know what I'm saying? But we have. other songs like you said Caribou. who go crazy and everybody but me and. you know, he's got a whole bunch of. songs that. you know, we look for. artists. that can do that. Like you you found Sky. Daddy, right? I love her. Yeah, Sky Sky is doing. incredible things. She's through the. distribution and. and. I I think also another thing that we. look for because you mentioned artists.

like Chris Kaliko and others. I think people that can create music. that means something that is meaningful. to the human experience. That's that's. what I want to hear something like. how yeah, how can what what and. sometimes, you know, the the content is. heavy, but that heavier the content, the. more help it provides to people going. through the same thing who feel like. they're alone. And so like if you took. all of these thousands of emails that we. get talking about how the music saved. someone's life and and listen, let's.

assume let's assume for this purpose. that only that's only really true one. time. That's okay, it's still worth it. If you. could actually say something that you. helped do. help you. you worked with an artist, they created. this wonderful song and this helped this. person take the. mouth, that's huge and that's what. therapeutic music should do and that's. the the one thing that drew me so much. to your husband was all of that because.

knowing that that that people have that. reaction to what he is saying on these. tracks is massive to me. And walking. down, you know, I was telling him the. story last night where me and Jelly used. to walk down Broadway when I came and. visited and a few people knew who he was. and that was a cool interaction, but. then inside inside. inside. inside the restaurants though when. people would come up crying to him and. way back then, I'm like there it is.

This this is why I have to help him. grow this thing. There's. at that point. the notoriety that it got because he. wasn't sure about it. I'm sure. I think I heard something. He. wasn't sure. He wasn't sure how his fans. would take him singing. He it was the. very first time, you know, we talked. about we talked about the five year. plan. You you've heard the five year. plan and then we talked about getting to. the root of what it is he really wanted.

to do, which it took me a while to get. him to open up to me and tell me about. his mom and his dad and the music they. played and his his wanting to write. songs and how he wanted to be a part of. Music Row and then how he wanted to go. more into the singing and. we finally, you know, he he does this. song and then he sends it to me and he's. like, "Can Can we Can we just get this. up real quick?" He was afraid of that. song. You know that, right? I mean, I. know he talked to you. He told me about. his conversation with you, too, and you.

thought the song was beautiful. That's. what you told. >> would be as big a song he ever did. >> Right. Right. Right. And and and as did. I. You were right. Yeah, as did I. I. said, "Look, this is going to be This is. what we've been talking about. It. doesn't, you know, he he told me that. it's the first song you ever did without. a rap verse." And I'm like, "Okay." Now. I can't get him to rap. Can you make him. rap again, Tech, please? I miss rapper. Rittz, okay? >> [laughter]. >> Yeah, but. but that's the [ __ ] though. Like like. "Save Me," though, is That's a mess That.

song What what what What are we at? 298. million video plays on a simple simple. video. That's because it connected. It touched. It means so much to so many people and. to to to be able to be a part of that. That's the only reason, honestly, Bunny, the only reason that I'm still doing. this [ __ ] I have no financial reasons. to do this anymore. Haven't had for a. long time. Neither has he. But the. reality is when you know that your music. has such an impact on people. that that's hard you can't If you help.

create the soundtrack to a lot of. people's lives and then what do you do? You just say, "Oh, never mind." And you. What? So so that's that's it, you know, and I deal with the things like with. Mackenzie and all these other. the the mental health of our country is. is is challenged pretty heavily. and if we can create stuff that helps. people and and [clears throat] and human. beings and help them stay alive Yes. we. better do this. We better continue or. else like I feel responsible. Like it's.

like it ain't even a job for money. It's. like a responsibility. is where I'm at [clears throat] with it. And with and and and. to follow what Strange Music means, the. S in the logo is taken from the rod of. Asclepius. You know, you usually see it. at the hospital. You see the snakes. going around the rod. symbolizing medicine. and the bat being nocturnal. We are the medicine to navigate through. the darkness. So. we've fit that tight like a You know.

what I mean? Absolutely. Your song. "Fragile" is like saved me for me. I. I was going through a really bad abusive. relationship when that song dropped and. it literally like saved me so many. times. So I mean, you guys are. definitely making therapeutic music and. It's amazing. Travis, thank you for. sitting in. I appreciate you being here. so much. Yes, thank you. Tech, we're. going to move on, but I'm going to let. you guys go cuz I feel like I've kept. you for so long, but we're going to move.

on just a little bit. I want to touch. base on one story that I heard before, though, because you're you're you were. touring at a pace of doing 250 shows a. year at one time. That's insane. Like. how does somebody function to be able to. do that many shows? Conditioned. ourselves throughout the years. to be able to know what to do with your. voice for one. You know, by cutting out the party after. the show. getting rest. You know what I mean? You had to go.

through the [ __ ] early on to know how. you don't. be hoarse during the show. You know what. I'm saying? And on that ICP tour, man, I. I lost my voice in Kentucky, man. It was. It was It was It was frightful and and. ever since then I really started pacing. myself. You know what I mean? So. we we've always been conditioned. to do it. We've done We've done it so. much that at the end of some tours, I've. popped my gastrocnemius muscle on both.

sides. You know what I'm saying? >> From jumping? Yeah, all that. All that. Michael Jackson slide and [ __ ] from pop. locking. You know what I'm saying? The. [ __ ] I do on stage. No, it's high energy. [clears throat]. from the minute you start till you end. I was off and not stretching and not. working out back then when I was popping. [ __ ] Since I've been working out with. my personal trainer, I ain't popped a. [ __ ] thing. On that following tour, I. tried to get sick not one time and I. didn't pop one muscle. Let's go. That. probably contributes to your sobriety, too.

Um touring that much, do you ever just. get afraid that when you're at home, you're just going to get lost in your. thoughts or is it that you just get. antsy whenever you have time off? >> No, because I never got like that. because usually when I'm home is when I. start working on records. You know, we. tour, get home, work on music. Tour, get. home, work on music. You know what I'm. saying? And uh. it it was it was like. it was like that for a long time. You. know what I'm saying? And uh. I never felt like I had to, you know,

even though I have to do mantras to go. to sleep. You know what I'm saying? I. found that and it works for me, you. know, but. now we we we pretty much have a I I have. a I have a regimen. You know what I'm. saying? It's a schedule. I'm. I'm conditioned to do it. Let's talk about your sobriety. Can you. take me on that journey? Because you It says you almost died from. alcohol poisoning one time. That's not true, but. something like that. You know what I'm.

saying? [laughter] So. my life. since my early teens. I've been drinking like a rock star. because I've pretty much been a rock. star. Yeah, I mean, you are a rock star, Tech. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You deserve that. title. I've been knowing that. You know. what I'm saying? Since my teens. You. know what I'm saying? So like that's. That's how I felt. That's how I built. this to be. You know what I'm saying? A. hip-hop rock star. You know what I'm. saying? So. imagine every day I wake up, I have. breakfast out somewhere or brunch or.

something. I start the day with maybe. three mimosas. Whether it be orange juice mimosa or a. pineapple mimosa. Lunch, you know. you spend a day in studio. You know what. I'm saying? Lunch, you take lunch. somewhere at a bar. I have my maybe. three cosmopolitans. Top shelf. You know, dinner. you have your red wine. If you go to If you go to. uh.

Capital Grille, you're going to have. four Stoli Dolis. If you If you don't know what a Stoli. Doli is, it's like mar They marinate. pineapple in vodka and they pour it, you. know, and it's. beautiful. That's one day. And then I come home, we. might have a party. We drinking Caribou. KCT, Hennessy Sprite and lemon. This is daily. Because I'm a social drinker.

and I love to party. So I'm doing this for years, baby. I'm. talking about this is like. that I was doing. You know what I'm. saying? I stopped that in the '06 or was. it '07? It was '06 or '07, one of them. years. You know what I'm saying? Just. stopped. Um ecstasy. shrooms. acid. GHB. um. uh What's it called? Uh. the red pills uh.

No. No. No. Not liquid. >> [laughter]. >> I'll I'll I'll remember in a minute, but. I would do that [ __ ] all in one night. When was your first time taking like. hard First time with X, you know, was. '98 when I came home. When I When I When. I first met Travis, he didn't know I was. on the [ __ ] though. Right. No, I met a dancer at this club. She gave me my first No. Nope, she. wasn't the first one. Nope. Nope, I take. that back. She wasn't the first one. That was. >> [laughter].

>> a girlfriend I had before that. Was it. '98? Ah, this is so hard to find. >> It's okay. But um. it was the Grant Rice era for sure. You. know what I'm saying? >> So your first drug you ever tried was. ecstasy? Yes. Wow. Yes, I mean, because. I don't I don't I don't I don't call. weed a drug, though. So that's from the. earth. Right. Well, most of us smoke. weed or do blow. But it is But it it is. classified as a drug, but to me it's. natural just like mushrooms, sorry and. [ __ ] But. I'm talking about drugs. Yeah. You know.

what I'm saying? And. ecstasy. I found that first. >> [clears throat]. >> Yeah, I think I think I think the dancer. was the first one to give it to my first. one at a movie theater. She said, "You're going to take this pill. It's going to take 30 minutes. You're. going to feel like you have to [ __ ]. Don't shit." You know what I'm saying? thing. Don't [ __ ] So you're not allowed. to [ __ ] on ecstasy? No, you ain't. supposed to. You know what I'm saying? Or mushrooms. You know what I'm saying? You're supposed to feel it and keep that. [ __ ] in. You know what I'm saying? That's what I was I never knew. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You know, you get that. [ __ ] feeling and you're not supposed to. [ __ ].

>> [screaming]. >> You learn something new every day. >> [laughter]. >> BUT ANYWAY. >> [laughter]. >> UM '98, I TOOK my first pill and. I was doing that [ __ ] all the way from. '98 to 2006 or '07. You know what I'm. saying? Yeah. And um. What was it that made you want to get. sober? [ __ ] was happening.

You know, you remember you came up to. the house and they said somebody was. outside eating [ __ ] in the. >> [laughter]. >> at 6:00 in the morning outside on the. bench and all the people in the. apartment complex could see it. You know. what I'm saying? Police came, all kind. of [ __ ]. >> Was that you eating [ __ ] on the bench? Oh, okay. He was like, "I'll never say if it was. me or not." people over. You know what. I'm saying? [ __ ] was going on. You know. what I'm saying? Upstairs, downstairs, outside. >> [laughter]. >> You know, cuz when you're on that [ __ ]. you know, you staying up to 4:00 and. 5:00 and 6:00 in the morning and you. know, they not jaw grinding. You know,

yeah, you know what I'm saying? So. Um. Adderall, that was the red pill. Adderall. I'll put that on top of the X, you know, it feels so good, you know. what. >> goodness. I I should have been Woah. I should have. been Chris Farley, my [ __ ] I was I was. putting [ __ ] on top of [ __ ] homes. Praise God. >> So. Um around 2006, Eveready time, it starts. slowing down, you know what I'm saying? Travis said, "Man, I don't We had a. meeting." Travis said, "Man,

everybody's saying you're going to die. just like Jim Morrison.". >> [laughter]. >> Aw. You know what I'm saying? I can't be. involved. He said, "I can't keep doing. business with somebody that's going to. keep. and I'm sorry." Aw. You know what I'm. saying? I was like, "Oh, no, I ain't. going to kill. You know what I'm saying? I ain't going. to kill myself, dog. So, you know, I thought about that. I'm. like, I see it every day. [clears throat] People seeing me They're. like, "We're going to lose him just like. we lost Jim Morrison." You know what I'm. saying? It's that and this and that. because that's who I. attributed that.

um idea to do Strange Music to, you know. what I'm saying? I went to Père Lachaise. in Paris and thanked him at the. you know. cemetery, you know, "Thank you for the. inspiration, brother, you know." I. worked with the rest of the members. after that, you know, it was ah. Yeah. But um. when Travis said, you know, "Man, it's. getting bad, dude." You know what I'm. saying? I'm like, "I'm just kicking it. I don't do this [ __ ] all the time." I. did do it all the time, you. >> [laughter]. >> You know, cuz we in the strip we we. running a strip club, Satin Dolls. We.

down there I'm getting. every [clears throat] You know, I'm like. a house dad, you know, I can go in there. where the [ __ ] are and. I'm sorry. I I talk like that, [ __ ]. but you know, where the women are. >> I say it. >> [laughter]. >> I say it all the time, too. Trust me, I get it. a bag [clears throat] of 60 rolls, you. know what I'm saying? Like rolls. ecstasy, you know what I'm saying? That's what you call them back then, rolls, you know, you roll in the. people. Yeah, but anyway, um. I'm putting them in bitches' mouths. like, you know, "Tech, you gave me my. first pill." I see them now. I'm like,

"Damn.". You know what I'm saying? They're like, I started a lot of people. I was I used. to put it on my tongue. I'd be high and. like take it off my tongue, baby, you. know what I'm saying? I was. Mhm. You know what I'm saying? But I was. partying, you know. And because I was going so hard. and you know, >> [laughter]. >> me and my partner had that meeting. I'm. like, "We got. is eating [ __ ] outside." You know. [laughter] what. >> [gasps]. >> I said, "Okay.". I went home one night. >> [clears throat].

>> and. uh. my kid. This is when it starts slowing down. My. kid, Rainbow at the time, she was. probably like three, two, I don't. I I I saw that she saw me. I felt like she saw me being high. I'm I. used to sneak in and. lay on the couch, you know what I'm. saying? Like I've been there all night, you know what I mean? Sweat like a. [ __ ]. My wife at the time was like, when I. sleep in the bed she's like, "Why are. you sweating so bad?" I was like, "I'm.

It's hot in this motherfucker." He's. like, "Ceiling fan on It's wintertime." You. know what I'm saying? "What the [ __ ] you. doing?" you know. >> Right. I was dying over there, dude, you. know what I'm saying? I ain't know. So. Is this the time that you took 15 Xanax? No, I didn't take no 15. >> You didn't take 15? 15 pills in one. night. I'm talking about X pills. Right. Yeah, it was X. >> uh 15. >> Xanax. I didn't find out about Xanax. till the last day I rolled. >> them mixed up. Uh the 15 This is when. you took 15 ecstasy pills. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, that was. down in LA. That's that's something.

different, you know. >> Okay, got you. Got you. >> three at a time, you know what I'm. saying? That's something [laughter]. different. I'm I was on one. >> You're wild. >> Oh, I shouldn't even be alive right now. That's why I'm so animated and so hyped. because I ain't supposed to be here, you. know what I'm saying? As much as I drank. and I I was down, you know what I'm. saying? with You know what I mean? I'm. talking about we would take ecstasy and. the GHB together and just fall asleep on. the stage in the club. When we We get. there, it's packed. Everybody let me in. I'm Tech N9ne. Cops waking us up. Tech, man, you got to.

wake up, man. I'm I'm on the stage with. the [ __ ] that's with me and my brother. Dino Mac at the time, you know, we sleep. on the stage. be. and ecstasy and. drinking Robitussin like it was cool, you know, just doing stupid [ __ ] It was. just trying to explode my heart. I don't. know. I wasn't trying to. I'm just like, "Let's go. Let's just go." We just said. no to anybody. >> it under control, you know what I'm. saying? Then. we had that meeting. I'm like, you know, I got to I got to calm down, you know. what I'm saying? So then then Rainbow I. was like, "Okay, that's my little girl,

Rainbow." You know. I'm like, "Nope, can't [clears throat] do it no more." So. 2007 came. I've been clean off all since. then, you know what I'm saying? But. with the drinking. 4 years ago. my doctor told me I was having a you. know, a physical. Dr. Strange Love. D'Angelo said uh. "You know. your blood pressure's through the roof. and your cholesterol is. You need to cut that drinking out or.

your heart's going to explode like your. dad, you know.". And I was like, "Oh, I'm going to die? Okay, I quit." And my my wife's like, "I'll quit with you, please. Just. please stop, you know.". So Valentine's. passed. That was our fourth fourth year. sober off of liquor. Congratulations. >> yeah, yeah, yeah. It's hard, man. I've. been sober off liquor since 2018, sober. off cocaine and pills since 2017 and. Yeah, man. >> Sobriety is a journey. Yeah, it is, man.

You know. Even the mocktails I take slow, you. know, cuz it's still sugar. Mhm. You. know, when I first stopped, I was on. mocktail heaven. I was like, "I'm still. getting fat." It's sugar. >> [laughter]. >> You know what I'm saying? So, you know, I have one every once in a while, you. know, and uh Do you feel better now and. are you sober off. still smoke weed? You're sober off. everything? I don't smoke but I can, you. know what I'm saying? I I want to keep. my lungs. So, you know, every once in a while I. might hit it with my wife or something, you know what I'm saying? I don't smoke. with nobody no more. That's how I got um.

that's how I got COVID. Aw, yeah. >> saying? Blunts. Aw. Nah. >> worst. I tell my wife, "Don't I don't. give who it is. Don't smoke with nobody. Don't bring that sickness in our house, man.". >> No. That's how it's happening. They's. licking it, you know what I'm. >> Aw, just sopping it up just to get. No. No, sorry. No, no, no. So I ain't. take I haven't taken a blunt or if it's. not pre-rolled in a dispensary, I'm not. [ __ ]. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So, I very.

rarely smoke. For a while I was taking um. a shot of distillate juice and like I. got a person that can make like lemonade. distillate or strawberry distillate, you. know what I'm saying? I put it in a shot. glass and it's What is that? It's it's. it's liquefied THC, you know what I'm. saying? You put it in juice. It's called. distillate, you know. You're a savage, dude. You are a savage. >> What you mean? Dude, liquid THC I'd go. to the. No, but. >> [laughter]. >> it's only it's the drink is the the the.

shot is only. uh 20 milligrams or something like that. I can't go I can't I don't I ate some. freaking weed butter and called 911, okay? >> I'm saying that's cool, but [laughter]. beyond 20, nah. Yeah. 15, 20, that's that's it, you know what. I'm saying? Keeps you regular. But the. shot the shot glass is like 20, you. know, milligrams or whatever and it's. like a body massage. I don't do it no more. I I was doing it. for a while. I don't do it no more. because I don't got time. Right. You.

know what I'm saying? And um Do you feel. better now that you're sober. >> Oh yes. And like on [snorts] this health. journey? Oh yes. I I feel better. I'm. just. 9 lb over my target weight, which was. 185 when I went to get in my suit for my. wedding, you know what I'm saying? June. 20th, you know. Which congratulations. We're talking about that. >> now. Just 9 lb ahead of 185, you know. Um You got to allow yourself grace, though. >> And you know, I've been working on this. album Mhm. you know what I'm saying?

5816 Forest. for a long time and you know, I got a. lot of deadlines and [ __ ] I'm still. writing verses for and sometimes I I. miss my workout. I've been I haven't. seen my. I haven't seen my trainer in almost a. month. Mhm. You know what I'm saying? So, I got to get back with him cuz you. know, cuz I'm in there from 11:00 to. 12:00 and I get to the studio at 12:30. or 1:00 and when I get some food, you. know what I'm saying? And you know, around 3:00 and 4:00 I got to get home, you know what I'm saying? It don't make.

no sense. I need to be at the studio at. 10:00 to get the time. So I've been just. been missing my workouts to try to get. everything done, you know what I'm. saying? And um. I feel fat as Have grace with. [clears throat] yourself, though. >> What you say? >> I said just have grace with yourself. >> I give myself grace. You know, I get up. in the morning every day and I flex my. >> [laughter]. >> I can still see my abs, but it's still. like. you know, You're okay. >> dessert. >> [laughter]. >> Dude, I used to hate blueberry muffins.

my whole life. >> [laughter]. >> I love them now. I'm like, "Keep them. away from me. Please don't bring it in. the house. Don't bring that [ __ ]. cookie in here, please.". >> But you're in your healing dad era, too, you know? Like you've been a dad for a. long time, but now you have the you're a. foster. >> is foster kid Oh my god, dude. I'm sure. she indulges with you, too. >> Yeah, she does. I'm just saying. [laughter]. butter cake, wherever we go eat they got. butter cake, we got to have it. Now, we used to get one each. Now we. split it. You know, they're like.

Or just have one cheat day a week. That's what I do. >> Yeah, that's cool. >> You have one cheat day a week and then. you just get it out of your system and. you know. >> Now we on the gluten-free uh Tate's. cookies, you know what I'm saying? Every. once in a while, you know what I'm. saying? I just. love. blueberry I just had blueberry pancakes. the other day. I said, "Look at me.". >> [laughter]. >> She makes them, you know, gluten-free. and all that kind of [ __ ] I'm like, "Look at me. I'm eating blueberry. pancakes. But they're gluten-free. She. said she yeah. So you're doing good. But. blueberries though and they ain't got. nothing to do with no blood gang [ __ ] or. nothing. I just never liked it. You know.

what I'm saying? But I love the Yeah. And they say it's good for your brain, you know what I'm Yeah. It's crazy how. your your palate changes as you get. older because I was never a fruit girl. I always loved vegetables. I love fruit. now. >> Something is happening to me. >> [laughter]. >> Right now as we speak. I haven't had shrimp or lobster since my. marriage but I had it we eloped in. Puerto Rico where her family's from. And on July 14th. Mhm. And then we had. our second wedding for our family and. everybody on July 20th in Kansas City.

You know what I'm saying? That was a. flex too. We had two weddings and [ __ ]. Yeah. I love it. >> I'm saying? But uh. I haven't had shrimp or lobster. The. [ __ ] just starts feeling weird in my. mouth. No diddy. I'm just like it start. feeling real weird weird weird the. texture. Oh, okay. I was going to say. are you having like an allergic reaction. to it? >> No, the texture. I just It does you. outgrow it or something? >> now when I bite shrimp it feels like I'm. biting cartilage or something. I don't.

know. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, your taste buds have changed. Maybe. because you're sober though, too. I mean. that's been four years. I was just I was. just eating that [ __ ] last year. >> [laughter]. >> Like like I'm talking about like shrimp. bowls and Yeah. With sausage in it and potatoes and. shrimp and. you know, crab legs. I ain't even had no. crab legs yet. I don't know if I'm weird. on that [ __ ]. >> legs. Do you cuz crab legs are bomb. I. know. I've been eating them all my life. A shrimp I'm a little iffy with, too. It's. >> with me, you know what I'm saying? Texture. >> shrimp the roach of the sea or something.

like that. So maybe that might be of the sea The. cockroach of the sea. >> But. I was just in. New Orleans and wouldn't eat no goddamn. shrimp. >> [laughter]. >> I didn't even have no crawfish. I love. crawfish étouffée. I love it. Do you know what I'm saying? Like. >> buds are just changing. >> [ __ ] is changing. I'm eating chicken. with skin on it now. I can't do it. I'm taking the skin off now. I've been. eating chicken all my life. That ain't. no That ain't no racist [ __ ] or nothing. You know what I'm saying? Everybody eats. chicken. [laughter] Yeah. You know what. I'm saying? I've been eating chicken all. my life, dude.

You know what I'm saying? You're just. your All my life. Chicken chicken all my. life. Sorry [ __ ] You know what. [laughter]. But uh. Now I'm eating the [ __ ] and I feel like. that I'm eating human flesh. Oh, no. Um. steak was almost out like last year. because I've been watching these. documentaries saying they put the glue. in it and when you cut it you. I'm like, oh my god. Oh, no. So me and. meat are having a. time. No [laughter] diddy.

But it's your I mean pause. I'm sorry. No diddy. Your body is probably just. trying to go through some sort of. transformation. >> Something is happening to me and I'm. still trying to eat the I ate I ate a. chicken sandwich. >> [laughter]. >> at the airport yesterday. It was good as. You know what I'm saying? I was like, okay. Chicken's not all the way out yet. You know what I'm saying? [laughter]. This don't have no skin on it. You know. what Right. Right. Yeah. Let your body purge. It's just. part of growing and it could be. spiritual, too. Have you ever tried to. Google like the spiritual meaning of why. your body is refusing these meats? Nah, I just think that I ain't supposed to be.

eating that [ __ ] I don't think none of. us are. I'm sorry. Yeah. No, I agree. It's just it is what it is. I don't know. what I'm going to turn into in the next. years. You know what I'm saying? But I. can feel it coming. I'm like. why do I feel like I'm a savage eating. meat these days? Yeah. You know what I'm. saying? Like. >> wait to see the transition. >> my lady asked me. the other day before I came here. She. was like, so I'm going to when you get. back I'm I'm going to have groceries and. stuff, you know, some fresh groceries. What do you want? I was like, salad. stuff. >> [laughter]. >> I go through phases like that, too,

though. [clears throat]. >> You know what I'm saying? I go through. phases like that, too, and sometimes. it's just your body just needs a break. from that [ __ ]. >> know what's going on, man. It's like I. don't know if I'll ever eat shrimp or. lobster. [laughter] I used to. it up. I'm rich. I love that you're so upset about the. shrimp. Yeah, it's. Aw. Because the. shrimp they had at the restaurant we. went to in New Orleans still looked good. as a [ __ ] Aw. So fire. >> I'm saying? And then I took my son my. son came with me for the first time. He. came to the Super Bowl with me. I had my.

brothers was down there and my uncle. We. all had brunch one more the morning of. the Super Bowl. >> Yeah. down on on on Bourbon Street. It. was wonderful. And I saw that they had. crawfish étouffée omelet. I'm like, ooh, I got to try it. But I said, damn, I can't even eat shrimp. And my brother. said, I'll get it and you can taste it. I ain't even. You didn't have the urge? No. I don't. know what's on with the with the texture. [ __ ] in my on my tongue but. it makes me feel like I'm.

>> [clears throat]. >> eating something I ain't supposed to. eat. >> [laughter]. >> But my my wife's like, we got to. You got to eat something. I was like, I. know. I'm still. >> to get your protein in so you have to. figure out a way to maybe like eating. like beans and chicken. >> Yeah, yeah. She's been making a lot of. beans with you know with with with with. with what you call it? Uh. with the meat. They put it on the. Mexican breakfast. What is it called? Um. Chorizo. There you go. Chorizo. She's. got the chorizo and the beans, you know. what I'm saying? >> Chorizo is sausage. Yeah, I know. I. know. So it's grinded up. It's it's.

cool. I love her beans. You know what I'm. saying? I love the beans. And uh. >> [clears throat]. >> I'm I'm I'm just I'm just. It's just weird. Yeah. I'm going to. Google some stuff for you tonight and. I'm going to send it to Travis and see. if I if we can like connect the dots for. you cuz I I really feel like it might be. spiritual for you, too. I promise you. Like I know it sounds. crazy but like sometimes there's certain. things that your body rejects when. you're going through like a spiritual. awakening. She still makes turkey tacos.

I [ __ ] love them. I love turkey. tacos. crazy. She can make a turkey burger. You. can't even tell, dude. You know what I'm. saying? I'll finish it up. >> I love your love for your wife. >> Yeah, man. Tech, I have kept you for 2. and 1/2 hours. So I told you I'm. long-winded. No, you're good. I'm going. to ask you one last question and I'm. going to let you go. Okay. >> But. so imagine this. You walk off stage from. your last show ever. The lights are off. The fans are gone. You're standing alone. in the venue. What's the one thing you.

regret not doing? The one thing I regret not doing Like. just in anything. Life, career, anything. >> I thought you were talking about the. show cuz I had I got it. >> [laughter]. >> That, too. Or if you want to talk about. the show. I always talked to Chris. Calico and I always said. when I accidentally tell a joke on stage. and [laughter] everybody laughs, it. feels so good. I was like, maybe I. should write some jokes. I said, I can't. [ __ ] do that. You know what I'm. saying? I can't be Tech N9ne and write.

the joke and I can do it. I can do what. the [ __ ] I want to but I never done it. You know what I'm saying? >> I think you could be a comedian. >> it's like. when I come out on stage what I love so. much is that when they when I walk out. everybody scream everybody's smiling at. me. It's the best feeling. That's why. when you happen like Midwest Choppers. and [ __ ] I'm smiling behind the mic. Like so with the. cuz everybody's smiling at me and it's. just a. beautiful feeling. But when I say.

something funny in the whole you hear. the crowd. I'm like, that [ __ ] is crazy. Now I know. Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart and all. these people Cat Williams all these. great people Bill Burr, you know, I see. It may maybe it's George Carlin. crazy. You know what I'm saying? It's. like but it's like a Richard Pryor. All. of them. I see what they're talking. about. To make people laugh smiling is. great but to laugh Yeah. Ask Jelly. If he ever sits on stage and.

everybody laugh it's a feeling. >> to be a comedian right now. That's all. he hangs out with his comedians. But I. think it's because you guys have made. people cry our entire. >> Yes. careers with how deep your music. is. >> me music. We specialize in yes. That now. you're getting a different response and. it's kind of like a high for you cuz. it's something new. >> So. if that was my last show and I'm walking. off I'm like, damn, it's [clears throat]. over. I never. joke. >> [laughter]. >> I love that. I really love that. But But. would you [clears throat] ever pursue a. career in comedy?

>> No. No. No. Cuz I write music so well and I'm you. know, I'm not that funny but You are a. >> of that gets on the elevator and you. know, when you get up when you put. yourself in a box with strangers Mhm. it's weird. That's why everybody looks. at the numbers. You know what I'm. saying? As they're going down they just. watch that or going their phone because. it's weird being in a box with. strangers. Right. Especially with this. stranger. Strange music. You know what. I'm saying? One of the cobras. So. when I get on the elevator I'm the kind. of going to say, okay, if I'm on a floor.

like five and I was like. I would I was going to tell a joke but. by the time I'm done with this long ass. joke we'll be down at floor one. Everybody will still laugh, you know, in. the elevator. It breaks the monotony. Right. >> it all the time. >> Right. You know what I'm saying? Cuz I. used to study like Rodney Dangerfield. Like Mhm. >> Take my wife and everybody will laugh. >> Yeah. Yeah. [laughter]. The OGs of. comedy. >> Yeah, it's like one-liners. You know. what I'm I think you could do it. I. think if you put your mind to it you. could actually. >> I could do anything. >> Your delivery is so funny.

>> Mentally I can do whatever the. I'll break down barriers. I've I've done. it in my whole career. Yeah. Absolutely. >> But I never took the time to write some. jokes. in between my songs like I always said I. was going to do. Do it. Now you got to. do it. Now you got to do it. Now they're. going to expect it. >> fans like, I come to pay for [laughter]. a goddamn comedy show. Tech, it was. funny but. rap, [ __ ] No, I don't think so. I think as long as you're rapping in. between the jokes everybody's going to. have the best of both worlds, you know?

I don't know. When are we going to get a. new album from you? June 13th. my album. 5816 Forest where we moved when my mom. married Abdul Latif and Khalifa the. Muslim. Mhm. It's an audio series. with 17 episodes. about my life. on 5816 Forest.

from age 12 to 17 when I ran away from. home. in the pursuit. of becoming Tech N9ne. Aw, I love how. you always go back to the nostalgia and. the the memories. >> And it's in chronological order how we. moved in and all the [ __ ] that happened. at school and Yeah. And it's music. that's that's doing all of that. >> it's music. It's all music. It's but. it's an audio series. That's what I call. it. >> Right. >> audio cuz the music is audio, you know. what I'm saying? It's an audio series.

>> Yeah. of events that happened from 12 to. 17. >> Yeah. >> when I ran away, you know what I'm. saying? And it's in chronological order. from 12. my mother my. years old my mama fell in love with a. Muslim. 58 block we she took them or. something, you know what I'm saying? It's brand new music on. Yeah. But uh. it's starting at the beginning, you. know, the first song is called The. Birth. Mhm. Then [clears throat] the second song is. called Friday the 13th, you know what. I'm saying? Triality. Mhm. Where on 5816.

Forest I found the king, the clown, and. the G, you know what I'm saying? How Aw. >> all three of my personalities. began, you know what I'm saying? So it's. all the way. to the age 17 and then after the strange. music tag. we have a song called J 6's after the. tag. We ain't never put a song after the. tag, you know what I'm saying? >> Right. And it's called J 6's and it's 2 years. after I ran away, you know what I'm. saying? >> Aw, I can't wait for that. >> my Jake my Jordan 6's were my good luck.

charm whenever I wore them. I wore them. down here, you know what I mean? I don't. have them on now, but I had them on. yesterday. Have you ever thought about. doing a documentary or like having. >> yeah, but we still writing it. >> Yeah. We still writing the Tech N9ne. story, man. >> Yeah. >> You know what I'm saying? Right now, you. know what I'm saying? >> so much lore though. Like I feel like. you could have like a series of. documentaries. >> It could be a movie. >> Literally, yeah. >> be a crazy ass movie. It's one of them. 3-hour movies, though. >> Yeah. You know what [laughter] I'm. saying? Like some Black Panther [ __ ]. you know what I'm saying? Like No, absolutely. But [clears throat].

uh. yeah, man. I got a lot to talk about and uh 5816. Forest is very. um informative. because I've told these stories in. interviews before, you know what I'm. saying? Like we talking, but you never. heard them in rhyme form, you know, a. lot of these stories. Like I have Down. in the Middle, it's a song called. Excited where I talk about 14 years old. this black girl I was dating named. Chanel Winfrey.

broke my heart cuz I went to her 14-year. 14th birthday party. It was on the next. block and you know, um I went over there. with my boy Snubby and. you know, we're dancing and when it's. when the lights went off, you know, in. the hood, I had to go across the street. to ask my stepfather and my mom, "Can I. go back to the party? It won't be for. too much longer. I know the lights are. on." And he's like, "Yeah, you can go.". When I came back, I was looking for. everybody was slow dancing. It was a red. light. I couldn't really see and I. opened a room and my boy Snubby was on. top of her kissing. She broke my heart,

you know what I'm saying? And then I. have then I have the song right after. that. It's called The Nice One. How the white. girls in the school I was the I was the. I was hanging with my thug homies from. the hood. >> Mhm. But whenever. >> [laughter]. >> whenever. like a new. Caucasian girl would come in the school, they would hear. and find me at my lockers like, "You're. Aaron, right?" I'm like, "Yeah." "We.

hear you're the nice one." I'm like, "Okay, you know what I'm saying?". >> [laughter]. >> Out of all the. out of all the thug [ __ ] I hang with, you know what I'm saying? I'm the nice. one. >> So The Nice One is right after, you know. what I'm saying? It shows the duality. of, you know what I'm saying? My taste. has never been okay, I'm oh you know, I'll just date this girl cuz she's. black. I'll date this girl cuz she's. white. I'll date this girl cuz she's. Puerto Rican. I'll date this girl cuz. she's Asian. I never had. >> [clears throat]. >> a type. Right. I was just love, you know. what I'm saying? Whatever love whatever. that felt like. You still. >> what it looked like, you know? You still.

lead with love in everything that you. do. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. So 5816. Forest is a journey. It's an audio. series, 17 episodes. June 13th, baby. Yeah. I can't wait, Tech. >> last song Sacrifice is the only one that. ain't done. That's the Jelly Roll hook. Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> Son of a I'm going to go home and spank. him. You know what? He's actually downtown. You guys can probably. >> [laughter]. >> You guys can probably find him downtown. He's doing a whole bunch of interviews. um today. I don't know exactly I'll I'll.

call him and see what he's. >> Everything else is done. We just That's. the one that don't have a hook. I will. get on his ass for you. I promise. Like. and I really He said he's going to do. it, you know what I'm saying? It's just. like If he says he's going to do it, he'll do it. >> I had it when he was on when he came to. visit me on the Falling in Reverse tour. >> Mhm. >> He got on my bus. He said, "What you. working on?" I was like, "I'm working on. this album called 5816 Forest." He said, "You got anything for me?" I said, "Nope.". But I will find it. Yeah. So. I found Sacrifice, you know what I'm. saying? I got that across my chest, you. know what I'm saying? Years ago, you. know, everything I had to do to.

sacrifice, the time I spent. It was. perfect cuz it's on some woes me [ __ ]. but you know, the [ __ ] I had to do I. couldn't, you know, go be with everybody. else cuz I had to sacrifice. And while I. was being on punishment and [ __ ] like. that, I worked on my craft, you know. what I mean? I became Tech N9ne, you. know, what I'm saying? To stay alive, you know. Yeah. So that's the last song, you know what I'm saying? Sacrifice. And. it's beautiful. The album is crazy. I. can't wait to hear it. I'm so excited. [clears throat]. Yeah, we used one producer on this one. Producer I've never worked with. His. name is JPZ. He brought that.

that. ghetto funk that I ain't had in a long. time, you know what I'm saying? Like like. >> like that I had like back in the Rogue. Dawg Villain days and Let's Get [ __ ]. Up and Mitch Bade days. It's those kind. of beats, you know? And I was. scared at first. I told Black Walt cuz. he's the one who told me, man, "Your. fans want to hear all you. Nobody else. rapping on it. Just people. If you want. to put some people on the hook, that's. cool. Wayne did a hook, you know what. I'm saying?" And it's dope. It's called. Yoda. And then Lil Wayne? Uh-huh, yeah, yeah. Then [clears throat] Jelly got sent one,

you know what I'm saying? Got a couple. of people that's doing hooks, but I'm. all the verses and it's never been done. while we've been doing this, you know. what I'm saying? So when Black Walt. first brought it to me the idea, I was. like, "I've [sighs] been hearing fans say they. tired of me doing. you know, collaborations all this time, you know what I'm saying? They just want. to hear all me on the song. I think. that's boring as. >> [laughter]. >> And he's like, "Nah." And I told Travis. that's what Black Walt said and he said. Travis said, "He's right, Tech." You. know what I'm saying? "They want to hear. you rapping, you know what I'm saying? And doing your thing, you know?" I love.

that Black Walt is still around. >> Black Walt is still around, yeah. >> I love that. >> just he just he just got out of jail. some years ago, you know what I'm. saying? He was. you know, he's clocking mad dollars on. the 1st and 15th, sorry. But uh. >> [laughter]. >> You know what I'm saying? But uh. I got into it the album and doing all. the verses and. you know, a lot of the hooks, too, you. know? And I was like. it's so it relieved me. Yeah.

>> I I I found. >> for you. >> I I found I I found I found. solace. in talking about my stepfather and me. running away when he was trying to make. me a real man. I didn't understand it. when I was 17, but when I got out in the. world I understand he was trying to make. me better. Mhm. And I said I love him. and thank you. Mhm. >> And I played him my my brother Hakeem. played him the song and he said he was. so happy. He was telling Donnie I said, "Thank you." You know what I'm saying? Because he that probably I never came.

back. Did your stepfather Is your. stepfather still alive? >> Yeah. >> Oh, good. >> We played him the song. Yeah. >> You know, it's called The Punishment. He. used to have me on punishment all the. time because I lived in a blood. neighborhood and he knew when I was. around my homies, [ __ ] was happening. >> Yeah. You know? So he's like, "I [ __ ] up. in school, I'm in punishment for the. whole summer.". Well, Tech. >> Summer's on punishment. I can't wait to. hear this album and I think that it's. going to I think it's actually. innovative what you guys are doing. because I don't think anybody's ever. really done this. So I I ain't never. heard nobody else call their upcoming.

album an audio series with 17 episodes. Yeah. No, it's huge. You guys are just. creating a your own wave again. So Yeah. Thank you so much for being here, Tech. >> Thank you for having me. It was so. natural and so comfortable. >> I appreciate you being here, Travis. I. appreciate you being here and I just I. can't wait to see, you know, your growth. and your journey just continue like it. has been for all these years, three. decades, right? Like you have just been. moving and shaking and you don't plan on. stopping and I love that. So come back.

and see me. >> Yay. >> Thank you guys for tuning in to another. episode of Dumb Blonde. I'll see you. guys next week. Bye.