Review Summary: Very catchy beats, deep lyrics, versatile rhyming skills.
Tech N9ne hails from Kansas City, MO. He seems to have a large following in the midwest and the western US. When I returned from Colorado back to my home state New Jersey with a collection of his albums, Tech became a favorite among all of my friends. His music can be characterized as catchy, musical, heavy hitting beats, choruses that stick, and some very impressive, yet unusual poetic rhymes. He can rap faster than most other rappers I've heard, and with meaning. Tech N9ne's style goes beyond the typical topics of mainstream rap. In fact, he often rants about the mainstream music industry. Absolute Power was released in 2002 to number 79 out of 200 on the top music charts.
Intro - In this talking track, he responds to criticism about a previous album (Anghellic) and how his critics started calling him a devil worshipper (but thats a whole other story)
The Industry is Punks - This track starts with a recorded phone conversation from a record label rep. stating that Tech's music won't go well with urban radio (and his orange hair, etc). The lyrics talk about how disposable mainstream rap artists can be and how the industry neglects the real talent in the genre. Very catchy chorus, cool verses. 4/5
Here Comes Tecca Nina - In this song he basically talks about himself (and how awesome he is).
"This is the beginning of blingin' and houses, And women welcoming angels and demons on couches, And sinnin' I'm alive and well, The demise will bring ghost stories when I rise". 3/5
Imma Tell - One of the singles. Starts with a catchy sample and chorus. The verses are unique, and he talks about pretty much everything thats on his mind (mostly getting laid, his rise to fame, Kansas City ("This is the town where the clowns put it down baby"), getting drunk, etc). Cool, catchy song. 4/5
Slacker - This is one of my favorites. He talks about being a "slacker" and the rejection of the 9-5 lifestyle.
"I ain't never understood how the world works, But I always understood why the girls twirk for a baller not a 9 to 5, Barely makin' it with disgust behind your eyes". This is one of the more accessible songs on the albums and since I can relate to it: 4.5/5
Bianca's and Beatrice's - features Kutt Calhoun (Tech's label-mate). Basically a song about doing drugs and f*cking bitches. Cool little acoustic guitar lick, catchy rhythmic chorus, and an apology to any real Bianca's and Beatrice's in the end (lol). 3.5/5
Diamond Joe's - Just an interlude into the next song.
Slither -
"I love the way you make it slither, baby." This song's about women. A little more mellow of a beat, reminds me of the Indian snake charmers with the flute. 3.5/5
Trapped in a Psycho's Body - In this song, Tech talks about his drug problems.
"Don't you come near me 'cause the devil sittin next to me, I drink my drink I smoke my weed and pop my ecstasy...". Very deep, emotional lyrics told from two perspectives - the druggie and the man trapped in the druggie's body. This song appears on Tech's future compilation Vintage Tech with the female vocals in the chorus
not backwards. 5/5
T9X - Another song about drugs.
"Fall into a spell way deeper than hell, Sensation was given to me from my homegirl Shell, Told me since I was in pain and I like to rebel, This Motorola I'm giving you will suit you real well". It's a slower, mellower song. Catchy verses and very catchy chorus. T9X stands for Tech N9ne experience. 5/5
Worst Enemy - This is short song about a backstabbing friend. Good rhyming, cool vocal harmonies at the end. Otherwise nothing special. 3/5
Signing Off - This is an interlude into the next song.
Absolute Power - The title track. Starts with some weird vocal effects and goes straight into a verse with a very catchy beat with all sorts of electronic effects and such. Hooky chorus. He talks about his rise in music, his worldwide appeal, and how good of a rapper he is (that's the gist of it...). Very cool song. 4.5/5
Yada, Yada, Yada - This track is also about a backstabbing friend (Don Juan, who worked with Tech).
"Blood, this is the end of men who were once friends, And then one asshole thought he was somethin, when Punks bend over they get ***ed (get ***ed), hand over them Tech tapes or get stuck (get stuck)". Very cool bass-line and catchy chorus. 4.5/5
Constantly Dirty - featuring 57th Street Rogue Dog Villians. This song is about the hard life, having to sell drugs, having nobody to count on. The beat is alright, the song is nothing special. 2.5/5
I'm A Playa - This is also one of the singles. He talks about being a playa, money, girls, clubs, etc. Catchy beat, catchy chorus, but not my favorite song. This song was remixed on Tech's future compilation Vintage Tech. 3.5/5
