13 June 2011

Review: Tech N9ne, "All 6's And 7's"

Who is Tech N9ne? If you're a casual listener of rap and hip-hop, then you've probably never heard him on the radio. If you're a steady hip-hop fan, then you think he is some crazy, demented hip-hop horror-core artist, and if you're a hardcore hip-hop head...well, you STILL think he is a demented hip-hop horror-core artist, lol.

At least, that's what *I* thought until a week ago. Tech was getting a lot of play and airtime on www.HipHopDX.com and I peeped two songs ("Worldwide Choppers" and "He's A Mental Giant"). "Worldwide Choppers" geeked me out, no lie. I played it 5 times in a row, amazed at the lineup (Yelawolf, Busta Rhymes and Twista, to name a few), the skill displayed on the seat, the beat (which hits REALLY hard in a vehicle) and the fact that this was...a Tech N9ne song?

All I knew about Tech was that he had what seemed like a million records (ten in an eleven year span, to be exact) and that he wasn't in "the norm" as far as other rap acts were concerned. I was pleasantly schooled when I copped "All 6's And 7's." It's rare, but I can say that there is not one track on this entire album that I do not like, skits excluded.

From the popping buildup "Am I A Psycho?" with B.o.B. (who impressed me with his offering) to the introspective "Love Me Tomorrow," Tech covers a gambit of topics while remaining true to who he is. He doesn't get too sappy, even on his tribute "Mama Nem," making sure to continue to bring a bounce to your neck. I'm impressed, and after tracks like "I Love Music" I can see why he has a steady fan base.

I'll never pigeon-hole this man again, a topic that he covers on his album with "Cult Leader," refusing to be labeled as hip-hop's Jim Jones (the cult leader) or David Koresh. I suggest that you cop this album. The topics are varied, the beats are bangers, and the world deserves to know more about this artist. It may seem a little daunting at over an hour in length, but it is time well spent, believe me.