As you can see from above, yesterday I made my obligatory stop by Best Buy.
Yup, I fought the temptation of acknowledging TC, his luring e-mail comment (“That new Tech leaked”) and paid my hard-earned cash to show support to the HHO Artist Of The Week. Halfway through my own personal listening session, I get to the first of two Nina solo tracks off this collaborative disc, “Blown Away,” and hear Mr. Fuck The Industry himself is throwing a few jabs at Keyshia Cole. By the time I realized they were referencing the situation that took place last summer at KPRS’s Summer Jam in his hometown of KC MO, the third verse of this mid-tempo mockumentary was underway and the face-painted patriarch of psycho music was taking shots at one of the most respected emcees to ever rock a mic.
“Rakim, get off your high hoooorse…”
After hearing the song, I’m not even going to get into why this is 100% warranted. Just read and listen for yourself. Then try to argue why the Mic Allah wouldn’t lose against Tech-N9ne in an old-fashioned 2009 battle of the words.
“I understand seniority, but in this case, on this show
I’m a top priority, in Lawrence your minority and I’m the majority
Check It, I was young and broke, but I’d fetch if it was the freshest
Shovel snow for an Eric B and Rakim record
Promoters called us and said we’ve this show and want you to close us
Ghostface and Brother Ali, Rakim with a band, it’s so tough
We couldn’t wait to see Rakim rock but he never ever showed up
He swole up because he didn’t want to go up before us
Man, what’s wrong with these people?
Think the world gonna kiss they asses
Five hundred capacity, but you wanna get two hundred passes
Thought it was about gouda, Forty Water told me ‘Nina get that cabbage
Stay savage and ravage the average’
Y’all better hope radio and video keep me from slithering
Into they circle I’ll change it that’s why they shivering
Rakim The God he just missed the king’s delivering
Cause they know they’ll fall and I’ll blow ‘em all to smithereens”
Do your best to stay unbiased and let the debates begin.
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Download — Tech-N9ne – “Blown Away”
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This sounds like a Flo-Rida record, but hey it’s pretty funky and fresh.
On a completely different note, classic Wu Wear, didn’t even know there was a video for this:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgZ8xICliQA&feature=related
I don’t even like tech AT ALL and I respect RA to the fullest but when you in somebody else’s backyard Respect
How do I stay unbiased when talking about the g–o-d? Rakim gets a lifetime pass when it comes to rap battles for me. Dude may have legitimate beef but his arms too short to box with …
Tech’s always been a monster, and this song is bananas; but I think the Rakim shots are 100% unwarranted.
One of hiphop’s biggest problems is the generation gap between artists.
I don’t care how hot you are, would it kill you to respect your elders by going on in a different order? I mean, Tech’s gonna get his whether he goes last, first or as people are filing in. Would it have been so horrible to let a pioneer in Tech’s craft go on before him? They’re in totally different lanes as artists and commercial draws so how does letting Ra or Kane or KRS some older cat get his shine on hurt Tech?
It’s all about the gouda as 40 told him, right? What if Feezy decided he wanted his props, would Tech snap on him, too?
The not showing up at all is unprofessional on Rakim’s part, but that hurts Ra more than Tech. If anything, that gives T9 a longer set and a greater lane for picking up new fans.
Tech needs to keep doing his thing, but respect the cats that paved the way for him.
the Keysha Cole ish is funny as hell… but typical. A lot of artists on majors have no clue what indie cats are doing. She’s just one of many.
When was the last time you heard a fresh new jam from Rakim….Enough said!!!
@Canseco, true say fella.
But anyway Tech 9, ain’t no spring chicken either. In actual fact isn’t he older than Rakim or something?
But whatever man, I don’t even check for Tech 9, I know the dude got mad vocabulary skills and all that, but I’m just saying that besides this tune and that other one on the Sway & Tech compilation, I’m not really checking for this guy.
He’s been in the game over a decade now, and I think calling out Rakim is a way of him trying to muster some larger attention.
But anyway I didn’t even know Rakim rhymed anyway, isn’t he like some kind of creative director over Focus Features or something, I could be wrong though.
But anyway, Tech 9, man I don’t even check for that dude, and Chino XL either man, I’m not really into them swallowed a dictionary emcees. That goes for you too MF Doom and Jedi Mind Tricks.
Come on man by the time NAS, Biggie and the Wu Tang were in their early 20s or so, they were ruling the roost.
That’s why the Dickhead Six need to keep their mouths shut.
Rakim’s Strong Island Posse will now probably bum rush the stage during a Tech 9 show and it will be KRS One pushing PM Dawn off the stage once again.
your out of your mind….
Typo, I meant to say never knew Rakim rhymed anymore. Now he greenlights Tyler Perry and Wes Craven movies, but I could be wrong.
@Uliama, haven’t you got a fatwa to serve or something home skillet?
@baby paw… That was for Beware friend.
Fatwa… more like a tamale bro.
Tech9 going at Ra was—in some ways—like Nelly and KRS… Nelly was in such a diff lane and had so little regard for pioneers that it was silly.
T9 is crazy hot when he’s on, tho.
Yeah, that face paint is really gonna make me wanna rush out & get this dude’s album.
Frickin weirdo.
@Uliama, no problemo. I merely jest. :)
But anyway, I’m reading up on this Tech 9 dude, it is clear that he hasn’t released one album of cultural significance, because if he had then I would have heard it.
You know like when you go to the record store, you always see his CDs jam packed on the rafters, but even when the price is reduced you don’t want to risk forking out for one.
Instead you’ll have like 10 quid in your pocket and think, hmm, it’s either a Tech 9 cd or for a total of 10 bucks I could get that Steady B album plus that Original Flavor album plus that Kingsun album and I’ll still have some change left over for a can of Sprite.
Freddie Foxxx tried calling out Rakim not so long ago, in the hope of trying to garner some attention, but nothing came to fruition. So what chance does Tech 9 have? I think he is trying to be cool and controversial or something, like get tongues wagging, that oh that Tech 9 dude called out Rakim can you believe it? Oh darn!
But come on man it’s Rakim, he’s a pioneer, what is Tech 9 compared to Rakim?
You should respect the pioneers, their music still sounds funky fresh, unless Tech 9 reaches that sort of level, he shouldn’t real take potshots at Rakim like that.
Because Rakim’s people from Strong Island, man we all know about them, but I think they will all be mature about this.
Tech N9ne is the hottest rapper out right now. he can rip ne1 on the mic and the stage…
“Tech N9ne is the hottest rapper out right now. he can rip ne1 on the mic and the stage…”
Lol this nigga drunk… Or he’s that vitiligo striken cat thats alway wit son smh
I don’t know about this one. The Keyshia one I fully understand. He’s been on the scene longer than she has, famous or not. The Rakim one, I can’t say cause though he does have seniority, Ra could’ve handled it better. But then again I’m not Rakim.
==============================
“Then try to argue why the Mic Allah wouldn’t lose against Tech-N9ne in an old-fashioned 2009 battle of the words.”
==============================
Can’t call that one either. He hasn’t done anything for the longest. And it’s sad because I’ve been waiting for a new Rakim album for the longest.
And I doubt that this is to get attention. This is the only time anyone heard about this song (as far as I know) and he’s touching on an actual incident that I don’t remember ever hearing about. But if anyone did hear Tech speaking out on this beforehand let me know.
please tell me he didnt autotune the chorus and the outro
Man… Wow look at all these peeps !! Y’all don’t even know what your talking about !! Tech N9ne he the best thing out there on streets !! You muthafuckas need to stop listening to that Punk Ass Radio bullshit. Tech dimolishes all !! Get ready for the real Music !! Strange Music !! All day all night !!
Tech N9ne has been in the game for around 20 years not 10. I think hes 38 years old or somthin so Rakim did not pave the way for tech. Tech N9ne is the most intelligent rapper, in terms of message and vocab, thats out there right now and hes done it all by himself with his own record label. he is the best selling underground artist and will rip anyone else to shreds.
Tech has earned his spot, He is the number1 best selling INDEPENDENT RAP ARTIST OF ALL TIME
I don’t know tech 9 well enough to really comment on this, I tried to get into him a cpl times PAUSE but always felt like I was listening to Korn or some shit cuz of the album covers… whatever, the point is, if your going to go at Rakim pick a better beat and don’t use autotune, you lost when the chorus started… he got a point to what he’s saying but he could have done the same shit more or less that he wanted Ra to do and payed homage to someone that if it weren’t for him there might not be a tech 9 or anyone of these other rappers…
@ Canseco….
“I don’t care how hot you are, would it kill you to respect your elders by going on in a different order? I mean, Tech’s gonna get his whether he goes last, first or as people are filing in. Would it have been so horrible to let a pioneer in Tech’s craft go on before him? They’re in totally different lanes as artists and commercial draws so how does letting Ra or Kane or KRS some older cat get his shine on hurt Tech?
It’s all about the gouda as 40 told him, right? What if Feezy decided he wanted his props, would Tech snap on him, too?”
I’m bias, first of all, so I didn’t see it that way at all. But, you’re 100% right. On a smaller level, it might have given Rakim a whole legion of fans, and helped both Tech and Rakim build together.
@ Baby Paw…
“But anyway, I’m reading up on this Tech 9 dude, it is clear that he hasn’t released one album of cultural significance, because if he had then I would have heard it.”
YOU’RE CRAZY.
Aside from an underground classic in Everready:The Religion, his Killer album went platinum last year. He was one of maybe 25-50 artists to do so. Tops. And he’s independent. There is no machine behind him. He is a one man wrecking crew, with a catalogue of classic songs and the best live show rap show period. He’s worked with E-40, 2pac, Roger Troutman, Twista, Bone, Crooked I, Eminem, Paul Wall, Snoop, etc. and was in a group with Yukmouth, Dru Down, Gonzoe, the Realest and Messy Marv, called The Regime.
Before you completely destroy his ‘cultural existence,’ and your chance for lots of quality unheard music, show some respect for him and his craft and actually listen to his music, instead of just reading about it.
@ K.E.Y.
“please tell me he didnt autotune the chorus and the outro”
Think about it. That’s the whole point.
@GreedyHitMan
“Tech has earned his spot, He is the number1 best selling INDEPENDENT RAP ARTIST OF ALL TIME”
Thank you.
i dunno i dont really think it was a plot to get attn.Rakim is a legend and one of my favorite artists but he really shouldve handled the situation like a legend.Not showing up without a word is just too immature.Wouldnt it just be easier to talk to tech and the promoters face to face like a man instead of throwing a” bitch fit” and pouting.As far as a battle tech n9ne has never been a battler rapper he just spits what he is going through which is what i wish all artists did.Ppl dont really wanna listen to him because of appearance like some1 up top mentioned which a childish excuse for giving an artist the cold shoulder.”INDUSTRY GET OFF YA HIGH HORSE”
It’s funny that people won’t listen to Tech bc of his get -up. No wonder every MC has to go shirtless in his videos. Not just for the girls but half the dudes are checking him out too!
Song was great.
who the fuck is Rakim? (jokes…but how relevant is he really?)
Tech gets major love, fuck it that he does it independently, thats just further testament that he’s putting out quality ish…to me, if what he says is true about keyshia & rakim, this is 1000000% warrented and well deserved
Regime baby!!!!
Right now….RIGHT NOW…. John Salmons could prolly beat MJ one-on-one. So The Fuck What.
I’m biased and I really don’t give a damn, Scarlett.
Tech went platinum last year independently. Kudos.
When his vocal tone, and rhyme style reinvents the whole genre, and his shit is blasting out of EVERY thing that plays music all day-every day, come wake me…
Be mad and write it in your journal. Leave it off the record.
u muthafuckers need to here the whole album and then you will know cant nobody fuck with tech on the mic.Midwest choppers 2 wit krazy bone n k-dean is the muthafuckin anthem.I kow u beezy’s aint heard a whole Tech n9ne cd r seen a live show because if u have you would be like fuck Rakim. “my people lovin that trash n they rap im immaculate maybe they would grab it if i was blastin a mack,attackin my people cuz im black n im lethal with this rap i dont trap but im crack why do u be so closed minded when i rhyme it, wishing u could find it everbody but u muthafuckers get behind it n im doper than a key nigga message to we niggas rockin sold out shows is where im gonna be nigga and thats all i sell out something u should see nigga bet you would come n see it if i told u it was free nigga” Tech N9ne -message to the black man n yeah im a real nigga
sounds like alot of yall rakim fans r bitin lemons.rakim is a pioneer but times change like 2pac said change is good & tech n9ne is in da top 5 current mcs out as we speak .thats whats wrong wit hip hop,da legends dont wanna see da rappers dat been grindin for years get som shine .rakim & da supporters of him r bitter .HIPHOP was born in NY but it done spread & if u were real heads u would respect it if its hard no matter where it came from .Whoever said tech is wack need 2 slap dey self & go listen 2 Anghellic
Saw Rakim at Rock The Bells in 2008…not impressed. Dude didn’t rock the crowd PERIOD; him and Kid Capri kept bitchin’ at the sound-man and holding up the show. I respect the vets but I care about who’s rhyming NOW, past accolades are cool though you can’t live in the past. I’ve never heard a full Tech n9ne record, but I know that dude is dope based on what I’ve heard from his guest appearances, and he’s remained relevant which is a feat that Rakim hasn’t achieved.
With all due respect, the hell with Ra! We all know what he has done, but he hasn’t made a great song in over 10 years! I’m with respecting those before you, but elders in other genres don’t act like that.
I wanted to be biased. I tried hard to be biased.
If the show was ANYWHERE on the East Coast, Tech might not even make the bill. But it’s in his backyard AND the promoters saw fit to have him close. That should tell you alot and I think it was a ice cold bucket of water to Rakim’s face.
I hear the folks saying respect the elders of the game and all. But also respect the craft.. set it up for the youngster to knock it out the park and maybe even have him cover one of your joints and bring you back out for an encore.
And why didn’t Ra pull his old stunt of kicking out the speakers and whatnot after the set? This isn’t the Ra that changed the game anymore, he seems to not have that hunger to show and prove.
Without the the younger set pushing the older cats out the way — there would have been no LL, no Ra, no Southern artist of note, etc.. the music as a whole would really have been a fad.
Everyone keeps getting on this whole “respect your elders or those who paved the way for you!” kick about this. Tech didn’t disrespect Rakim until Rakim disrespected him. Those familiar with Tech will may be able to recall, but Tech has actually mentioned Eric B & Rakim among his earliest influences along with the likes of Boogie Down Production, KRS-One and N.W.A. Look at the verse, people:
“Check It, I was young and broke, but I’d fetch if it was the freshest
Shovel snow for an Eric B and Rakim record”
He’s giving him props right there. Heck, he STILL mentions Eric B & Rakim as some of his influences to this day, check the DJBooth interview that just went up Tuesday (I believe this was the one where he just mentioned Rakim, despite this record)
This is clearly not a case of Tech just randomly going at Rakim for attention or because he doesn’t respect him. Rakim disrespected Tech when THE PROMOTER asked Tech to close. It’s not like Tech pulled a Keyshia Cole and he was the one demanding to close the show. This is Tech’s backyard we’re talking about, and despite the fact that he’ll make several stops in these parts a year, they still sell out.
It’s not like Tech is really disrespecting Rakim that bad here anyway. Did he run off and be all “Man, fuck Rakim! That dude fell off ten years ago, and he was wack before that anyway!” No. Rakim did some Ego Trippin’ over having to go on before him, and he called him out on it… just like he did with Keyshia Cole.
I don’t see the problem with the Auto-Tune on this record either. Not when you have artists out there like Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West and Jamie Fox using the effect on the entirety of a song, as opposed to a small section like on this one, to add an artistic touch to it.
Oh, and here’s a little fact to help support the idea that Tech should have closed the show regardless. Last year, Tech was the third highest grossing rapper in terms of touring behind only Jay-Z and Kanye West.
Last year, Tech was the third highest grossing rapper in terms of touring behind only Jay-Z and Kanye West.
=========
Any articles to substantiate that? Not questioning, just curious.
@ Gotty™
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coBuR8OiP7c#t=1m54s
There is footage from the Rock The Bells 2009 Press Conference where the guy from Gorilla Union (the founder of the Rock The Bells festival, and Co-Founder of the Paid Dues festival) makes mention of the fact.
It’s also mentioned in these two articles/interviews:
http://www.antiquiet.com/interviews/2009/04/tech-n9ne-interview/
http://www.hiphopofficial.com/?p=1555
he wants his own feat with him
Next episode
rakim n tech 9 on the same track
he doesn’t understand why Ra is still one of the nicest and still without one album out each years like him. that’s just that,
The K cole link didn’t work for me. What did she do to him? Insist on top billing in MO? She’s from about 30 blocks east of me, but I can’t lie, I keep hearing she is rude as hell. someone fill me in.
I respect tech nina, but left all literal murderous rap back in the Brotha Lynch and X Raided days (Sac stand up).
No (major) disrepsect, but AmpGeez, do you have a job? Are you a teenager? You are somewhat overexposed in terms of blog commentary my dude, no shots fired though.
Tech, Kool Keith, Devin and Nickatina should tour together. Keith would miss hella shows though. They all have supreme cult followings. Suprised tech is grossing like that though.
“I hear em whispern n corners talk on us bout how we to grown up that we unlnown’ers n my persona is to rock n rollish,your nigga told us every word that u quoted, said i wouldn’t be the one that sold it but (ha) we exploded/ Im that rap nigga that u heard with tupac, sole,lynch n bo, wake up show wit king tech n sway,yukmouth,thicker than water, gang related,eminem,roger trout,mc ren, nigga spice 1 and them/ hit em with a venom sit em down kill em when i spit,when i get a bit of scrilla tech is giving niggas shit,love who love us but the playa hatin’niggas better split it’ll never be another techaninna when i quit/ u better neal when u hear a nigga thats real i feal 18 when i bust from the grill because (if u keep it young)your song is always is sung so street life taught me to keep em sprung/God sent me to kill,lyrical scripts the miracle whipped you demons and haters who tripped,listen i really feel my villian T-Will when he spit fuck them plus anybody they go get n shit” TECH N9NE-’keep on keepin on’ Absolute Power 2002
Im trippin, Brooklyn stand up
sum of y’all r crazy. rakim is garbage now, he WAS one of tha realest, but now he’s about got ice t cred. fuck that shit he needs to retire n go hop on one of them csi shows. tech is by far tha one of tha hottest in tha game now, if not tha hottest alone.
he was def right to call out rakim for not showin’ up, that’s sum unprofessional shit, especially for a “legend”. tech’s gonna keep doin’ his thing n eventually will be on top if tha industry will get off these soulja boy n lil wayne bitches’ nuts.
real talk.
Baby Paw says:
“He’s been in the game over a decade now, and I think calling out Rakim is a way of him trying to muster some larger attention.”
When the hell does he call out Rakim? Give me the exact line. It’s people like you that don’t listen to the lyrics and then blow things way out of proportion.
Baby Paw says:
“He’s been in the game over a decade now, and I think calling out Rakim is a way of him trying to muster some larger attention.”
I say:
When the hell does he call out Rakim? Give me the exact line. It’s people like you that don’t listen to the lyrics and then blow things way out of proportion.
Tech N9ne is my favorite MC right now, but I have to set the record straight to say that Killer did NOT go platinum, none of his albums did.
Killer just put him at the 1,000,000 collective units sold since his first release Anghellic.
Not putting him down, that is still highly impressive for being independent his whole career and he is still the top selling indie rapper of all time.
Back to the topic, Tech had every right to put Rakim on blast…that is some shady shit and Ra should be embarrassed haha
Saw Tech N9na live with Kut and it was awesome….even got to chill on the bus. Yes Ima girl…no not a groupie! Got some signatures and pics…his show was badass. Im sick of this commercial bull…lil wayne and all. No disrespect but Techs got his own label and may not be blown up, but hes better that way. Its his own music, strange music..and finally its something different than the same old shh..
On top of that hes a nice guy, loves the fans.
Man fuck rakim. That niggas trash now,tech n9ne murders him lyrically all day! I’m from fuckin minnesota and the whole fuckin state voted him the best rapper alive and he is hands down nigga strange music all day fuck that nigga rakim!
@killakay92
HAHAHAHAHAHA Minnesota voted? You serious dude? Minnesota? Voted him greatest rapper alive? THAT IS SO FUNNY!!!! And a little ignorant at the same time. Didnt they also vote Bush in office the second time? Im just saying.
Rakim dropped in 86 and was rapping underground before then… you do the math. And even if they were around during the same time doesnt mean you cant pave the way for current rappers. Thats like saying Scottie Pippen would have been one of the most famous players during the Jordan era regardless because there was no way Jordan could have paved the way for him. They were around at the same time. ID10T!!
Rakim had the VERY first $mil contract for any rapper. That in itself paved the way rappers to realize dollars in there talent. You think the real roxanne had a 7fig contract. Do your homework youngan.
@ Surah
That may be true but it takes alot take the title greatest when your a B league. He just may be the beast, but why is he playing ball in the european league (sort a speak). The I dont want the money is BS
So many ppl miss the point of the song. He’s just sayin “get off your high horse” In a lot of places mainstream and ‘once upon a time…’ type of rappers/singers dont mean as much to the ppl in the crowd as the artist who grew up in their city/state/area who are from their city/state/area and never abandoned their city/state/area. Tech N9ne is well known in kansas and missouri (the states kansas city is in) so for somebody who has been for the most part musically invisible for so long (rakim) to cause fuss because he has a pre-madonna attitude and not even show up is a huge slap in the face to anybody and everybody who went to the show to see and support rakim. That’s like Tech N9ne goin to where rakim from and whining about not goin last when fans and promoters want rakim last. promoters and the majority of the fans in attendance went for T9…glad to see other artist but were waiting for him. That’s why he basically saying the world doesnt revolve around any one person in rap. Reality of the situation is keyshia cole amd rakim and the hundreds more who try to say they are down to earth or live for the fans are completely contradicting themselves by displaying ‘me me me’ personalities. Seniority?? Tech has senority in KS and MO cuz he always performing here showing and giving hella love with other strange music artists. “‘Lawrence’, Kansas” Tech’s oldest fanbase and support territory to begin with is Kansas and Missouri. If you still dont get it after realizing this i give up on yall
Rakim is a pioneer and he did pave the way for many but if u put him and tech in a battle rakim will lose horribly tech will demolish him rakims washed up techs been in his own lane forever he never tried to be or compared himself to anyone he never bit someone’s. Style or lyrics and his presents on stage is immaculate most of these rappers sound like shit on stage but tech is on point word for word if rakim can’t even match that then he definitely. Wont win a battle of words the best emcee will win and we all know rakim is just a name now so get off his dick and do some research before you talk you ignorant ass wanna be heard but ain’t saying a damn thing suckas.
pyMFuI I?m a serial-commenter. It?s probably because I have an opinion on everything an