SOUNDTRACK: TECH N9NE featuring KRIZZ KALIKO-Tiny Desk Concert #780 (August 29, 2018).
I am constantly amazed at how many rappers this show has on that I have never heard of even though they’ve been around for decades. I’m not really a rap follower, but you’d think I’d at least have heard of them. Tech N9ne has 20 albums out and he’s got a number 9 in his name. I’d think I’d have heard of him at least.
During a career nearly three decades in the making, Tech N9ne has dodged the fickle rap industry while surfing his own wave, stylistically and professionally. The Kansas City native has been a beast for years now, a musical misfit who laid a track record of underground success and struggle before building his own independent empire with Strange Music.
Especially since he is awesome. He and Krizz Kaliko performed the best rap Tiny Desk Concert I’ve seen. [“Together, they’ve carved out an unorthodox niche: chopper-style speed rap that often plumbs dark, emotional depths”]. The band is awesome. The two of them are awesome and they have a great rapport with each other and the audience.
Their playful banter between songs personifies that creative connection, as Krizz delivers backing vocals and guest verses from the soul. Backed by a guitar, drums and bass for their Tiny Desk, the trio brought out the rock-tinged hues of such definitive Tech N9ne songs as “Dysfunctional,” “Aw Yeah? (interVENTion)” – dedicated to his mother who died from lupus in 2014 – and “Fragile,” originally assisted by Kendrick Lamar, Mayday and Kendall Morgan.
I also love both of their deliveries which is often fast (yet comprehensible) with excellent inflection to really let the words flow (is that “chopper-style speed rap”?). It’s a great fun set (with some great metal-inspired guitars). These start off with the first song, “Dysfunctional.” There’s inspired lyrics, there’s funny lyrics. I particularly enjoy this couplet
[They both rap] Listen they call me genius, I run the show
[Then Tech N9ne demurs shyly so Krizz can sing, with emotion] Women on my penis…. it’s wonderful
Krizz sings the chorus with a great heavy metal riff. He also takes lead on the second verse with Tech N9ne supporting him.
After the song Tech N9ne says, Oh yea, the boy can sing. He can rap too.
Krizz: I learned it from him. he taught me something like this: “Dommmmmm inae.” which is a lead into
“Aw Yeah? (interVENTion)” this song has some great lyrics, powerful and political with a very cool Middle-Eastern-ish guitar riff running through it
They gotta suffer the penalty cause of our education
Nobody wanna say nothing but I gotta call it abomination
Pissed off thinkin’ what this cost
What these babies blood drippin’ for?
So I say in Latin, listen Lord!
Audire DOMINE! (Audire DOMINE)
Only way people are gonna be able to kill off a demon is
Pick up a gun and be ready to put it between him
My nigga be screamin’
Audire DOMINE! (Audire domine)Who the hell a brother gonna trust when it’s always dishonor
Hate me like Obama
And I ain’t even gotta run and askin’ you the question: God what about my
Mama!
Tech N9ne asks for a moment, says he’s shaky. Krizz explains: he lost his mom on my son’s birthday. She’s been sick all of his life. That’s a super emotional song
Tech N9ne segues: “That’s why I’m so “Fragile.” This song is also excellent with some rapid fire delivery. I also love hoe exposed he is:
Amateur writer dissin’
He’s a beginner and hopes for your demise, folks some may despise
Never do try to listen
It’s real, I’m mad
Clueless when you scribble on your pad
How you gonna criticize with a chisel on your nads sizzling your ad
You don’t really get why I’m so pissed? Understand this (Understand this)
I’m an artist, and I’m sensitive about my shit, yes I’m Fragile
To close the set, Tech and Krizz performed “Speedom (Worldwide Choppers 2),” a song inspired by folk rocker Richie Havens’ original classic “Freedom.” They laugh over Krizz’ excellent Richie Havens’ delivery. It’s an excellent conclusion to a fantastic Tiny Desk.
Now off to investigate these guys some more.
[READ: August 31, 2017] “The Metal Bowl”
Miranda July writes strangely personal (but who knows if they are actually personal) and introspective pieces that are often overtly sad graphically sexual. But she’s also not all that vulgar, even in a story about amateur porn.
It even made me laugh as the story begins.
He cupped the two halves of my tush and spoke directly to them. “Run away with me, girls,” he whispered. She doesn’t understand our love.”
I Just Read About That... 