Here’s a song we can ALL relate to! The latest to ink a deal with Tech N9ne’s Strange Music label, rapper JL releases the video for his new song “Password” today. After working extensively with Strange Music and Tech N9ne over the last few years, JL signed to the independent powerhouse record company in 2016. JL worked with his Strange Music labelmates ¡MAYDAY! on the production of “Password” which will appear on his debut album release, DIBKIS, out later this month.
‘They were there to validate and chastise our decisions at the same time,’ Elijah Kelley said of airmen’s role. By Kevin P. Sullivan David Oyelowo in “Red Tails” Photo: Jiri Hanzl There was a lot of pressure on the cast of the upcoming true-life World War II drama, “Red Tails.” Not only did they have to honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American air regimen in the U.S., but they also had to appease the actual airmen who worked as consultants on the film. MTV News sat down with Tristan Wilds , Elijah Kelley and Ne-Yo to discuss the relationship between the actors and the real-life historical figures. Wilds explained that having some of the real Tuskegee Airmen on the set of “Red Tails” made things both easier and harder. With the added pressure came a real sense of insurance. “It’s hard. It definitely is pressure because you’re holding the historical importance of these guys basically in your hands while you’re creating this film,” Wilds said. “But I think having them on set and being there with us and helping us with everything, it kind of made everything so much easier.” Kelley summarized the airmen’s dual role on the film, saying, “they were there to validate and chastise our decisions at the same time.” Ne-Yo learned the hard way that when you want to portray real-life figures, you’re responsible to them for even the smallest of details. “A few of the existing Tuskegee Airmen were on set making sure that everything was as genuine and authentic as possible to the point where they would grab you and shake you and straighten your tie and pull your pants up and pull your belt,” Ne-Yo said. “They would go that far, and you basically just had to take it.” All the men agreed that when it came to taking orders from the real deal, you had little choice but to accept their tips. “An 80-plus-year-old man grabs you and fixes your belt, you might just want to let him do it,” Ne-Yo said. Wilds agreed, saying, “It’s a lot of years of strength.” Are you planning on seeing “Red Tails”? Let us know in the comments. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Red Tails
‘To be able to make history like this is a wonderful accomplishment,’ Tech N9ne tells XXL of Hostile Takeover Tour. By Rob Markman Tech N9ne Photo: Getty Images Nobody tours like Tech N9ne . Last year, the Kansas City, Missouri, spitter ran through an astounding 82 shows in 85 days , and now Tech Nina is looking to outdo himself when he embarks on his Hostile Takeover 2012 Tour in March. The MC is promising 90 shows in 99 days. “I started planting the seeds for this music thing to expand more than 10 years ago and to see it be recognized globally like this is a beautiful thing,” Tech Nina told XXLMag.com . “We started Strange Music so we could make the music we wanted to make and tour like we wanted to tour. Now, to be able to make history like this is a wonderful accomplishment.” Tech will be bringing MTV’s 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC Machine Gun Kelly , Krizz Kaliko, Mayday, Stevie Stone and Prozak on the road with him for planned stops in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Las Vegas. “It’s a world-record-setting tour for hip-hop. I think it’s a beautiful thing for all the ragers,” Machine Gun Kelly said in a promotional video on XXL ‘s website. The energetic Tech delivers a headlining set that usually lasts about two hours, and that kind of performance takes a lot of preparation. Before his All 6’s and 7’s Tour last year, the Strange Music CEO talked to MTV News about what it takes to get into tour shape. “You gotta take your Syntha-6 protein shakes, you gotta drink those, you gotta eat right. You gotta eat every two hours. You gotta try to get up to six times a day; I haven’t even got up to four,” Tech Nina told MTV News last June. “I have been workin’ out with [a personal trainer] for like four months. So now I’m out here by myself, and I gotta get a jump rope, we already got the dumb bells, we already got the mats, we already got the medicine ball, and your voice, it just has to grow accustomed to yelling every night.” Will you be attending Tech N9ne’s Hostile Takeover 2012 Tour? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Tech N9ne
‘It’ll have to be around $900 million,’ Tech jokes MTV News about giving up his indie hustle for a major label. By Rob Markman Tech N9ne Photo: MTV News A strange thing happened to Tech N9ne after he dropped his All 6’s and 7’s LP last Tuesday: more than 55,000 devoted fans bought it, making it the fourth-highest selling album this week on the Billboard 200. Many are wondering how the Kansas City, Missouri, rapper got up in the top five among the likes of Adele and Lady Gaga. Well, credit his independent hustle and devoted fanbase for making the release a success. In addition to grabbing that #4 spot, All 6’s and 7’s also ranks as the #1 independent album and rap album this week. And according to Tech, major record companies have been expressing interest in striking a deal with his Strange Music label. “They’ve already been calling, since last year or the year before. They’ve already been calling and asking us questions and stuff,” he told MTV News during an intimate sit-down in his Lee Summit, Missouri, offices last week. Tech and his business partner Travis O’Guin established the indie label Strange Music in 1999, and have been releasing Tech’s music on it ever since. In 2009, it was revealed that the label earned approximately $15 million, thanks to the support of Tech’s fans, who call themselves “Technicians.” When it comes to giving up his independence, Tecca Nina isn’t so quick to sign though. Instead, he loftily aims to grow Strange Music into a major in its own right without partnering up. “I think Strange Music will be the major this year or next year. It’s looking that way,” he said. No matter how things turn out, it’s clear that Tech is happy just the way things are and couldn’t fathom selling off his company. “You might wanna ask Travis this question,” he said laughing, while deferring to O’Guin. “He’ll probably say it’ll have to be around $900 million or something [to sign a deal]. We’re good.” All 6’s and 7’s, which features Lil Wayne, T-Pain , B.o.B and Busta Rhymes, initially drew criticism from some of Tech’s fans, who frowned on the underground icon teaming up with mainstream stars. For some, collabos with such high-profile artists meant that Tech was selling out. “Different artists are supposed to hook up and make something beautiful, that’s what makes music wonderful, I think,” Tech said, defending against criticism. “I already knew what I was gonna do. When I get with these [well-known collaborators], the beats gotta say their names.” After selling 55,715 copies of the album in its first week, Strange Music can put any fear of a fan blacklash to bed.”I can give a sh– about a chart position,” O’Guin told us last week. “A fan telling me that they love the album means more than them little glass trophies. The people, I think, genuinely love the album.” What do you think of Tech N9ne’s success? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Tech N9ne
‘The line was wrapped around the block, like it always is. It’s a blessing,’ Tech says of event held in his Missouri hometown. By Rob Markman Tech N9ne Photo: Getty INDEPENDENCE, Missouri — Tech N9ne didn’t go mainstream, mainstream went Tech. That was the battle cry on Tuesday in KCMO, when hometown hero Tech N9ne released his sixth solo album, All 6’s and 7’s. The album, which features guest verses from popular artists like Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes, lured Kansas City fans, who lined up outside an Independence, Missouri, FYE record store for a scheduled meet-and-greet with Tecca Nina. “It’s just inspiring to me to see that we have that many hip-hop fans in Kansas City,” KC’s Hot 103 Jamz radio personality Brooklyn Martino said after the signing, which brought out more than a thousand fans. “Today, there was a constant line the whole day, and it was amazing because you see how many fans come out and appreciate the type of music that he gives Kansas City. He’s constantly giving us good music and the country has now recognized it, and it is really awesome and inspiring to the city.” Tech, who started signing autographs at the store at 3 p.m. CT, continued to meet with fans up until 9:30 p.m., only taking a seven-minute dinner break at around 8 p.m. “The line was wrapped around the block, like it always is. It’s a blessing,” Tech told MTV News. “I stand up the whole time to greet my fans. I don’t like sitting down in between a table, so it makes it harder to stand up and greet everybody how they come, but that’s how I like doing it. The day as a whole, it was successful. The album is selling really good everywhere. I’m tired as hell, but I’m proud at the same time.” “I mean the world to them because they know I’m inside out, I give them everything,” Tech, who is in the midst of an 82-city tour , said. “They know that I push real hard to give them what they want, musically, performance-wise, everything — I open all the way up. That’s why people call me a cult leader, because my fanbase is so hard-core and so devoted to the Tech N9ne, Strange Music movement.” Strange Music is the independent label that Tech has been releasing music on since establishing the business in 1999 with his business partner Travis O’Guin. In 2009, it was revealed that the label earned approximately $15 million, thanks to the support of Tech’s fans, who call themselves “Technicians” and have drawn comparisons to the famed Juggalo fans that support Insane Clown Posse. “I definitely deem today a success,” O’Guin said of the All 6’s and 7’s drop. Since being released, the star-studded LP has remained in the iTunes top three albums alongside Adele’s 21 and Dirty Work’s All Time Low. “I can give a sh– about a chart position,” O’Guin said. “A fan telling me that they love the album means more than them little glass trophies. The people, I think, genuinely love the album.” Related Artists Tech N9ne
