Music Industry Proves No Match For One Kansas City Rapper

October 16, 2014 by
Tech N9ne

Tech N9ne joins metal festival Knotfest performing day two Oct. 26

With some recent collaborations with artists like Serj (System Of A Down) and the Dirty Heads, it is no surprise that Aaron Yates aka Tech N9ne is rising up the charts into the ears of cross genre music fans. His Midwest rap style returns to Southern California as the only Hip-Hop artist on the bill for KNOTFest at San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino Oct. 26.

By now, this Kansas City, Missouri native is no stranger to the business of making music and winning over music fans. Yates is currently on tour showcasing songs off of album number 14, Strangeulation (2014), while juggling running his KC-based record label he formed in 1999 with partner Travis O’Guin called Strange Music Records.

Strange Music now boasts a roaster of around 12 Midwest Hip Hop and Rap artists, which displays Yates’ ability to balance many different projects in this industry while still promoting his own music and connecting with fans. OC Concert Guide had the opportunity to talk to Tech N9ne about his recent collaborations and running a label.

OCCG: What is your favorite album that you created thus far?
Tech N9ne: My favorite album is ‘Something Else’ (2013) cause to me it’s all the years and albums combined and I’m extremely polished lyrically and conceptually.

OCCG: Who is your biggest industry crush?
Tech N9ne: My biggest industry crush is the total takeover of it by my label, Strange Music.

OCCG: When you started Strange Music for the first time what were your expectations for it and did you think it would grow as much as it done so far?
Tech N9ne: When Travis and I started Strange Music our goal was for world domination and we are still pushing in that direction rapidly. This level is great but what we planned for is much bigger than this!

OCCG: What’s your biggest advice for young rappers growing up in Kansas City?
Tech N9ne: Find the best pulses (beats) you can cause without no pulse there’s no life. Then it’s what you say on top of the pulses. Then everybody has to agree that it’s good not just you

OCCG: You have a big influence on artists on the Strange Music label, what do you think is next from the label?
Tech N9ne: Next from Strange Music is more Strange Music. A breath of fresh air.

OCCG: Is there anyone out in the industry today that you wish you would have signed?
Tech N9ne: Snow Tha Product. She’s a female beast lyrically.

OCCG: What are your thoughts on EDM and Rap in Pop music today?
Tech N9ne: I love EDM I attend the shows when I can and are talking to a BIG EDM producer about work on my next LP. (shhhh)

OCCG: How did the collaboration with Serj come about and how was it writing with him? Is there any tours lined up with him soon?
Tech N9ne: I’ve been a fan of System Of A Down since Sugar. To work with Serj was a major dream come true and I can only hope that we share the stage in the future like we did on the set of our video for Straight Out The Gate.

OCCG: Who else would you like to collaborate with on a song or album?
Tech N9ne: Eminem, Jay Z, Collie Buddz, Lana del Rey, Marsha Ambrosious, Citizen Cope and Slipknot to name a few.

Filed Under: Featured

EDM Lounge Volume 1 Welcome To The Southern Vibe

April 10, 2013 by
Borgore

Borgore live at TEN Nightclub Newport Beach
Photo by Deyoung Williams

EDM has been a growing scene for the last three years in Orange County. It has progressed from the warehouse parties that featured house, electro; mildly dub scene music to an all out club battle warfare.

I was never involved in the scene as much as I am now as a resident in the OC, but as soon as I got here I seemed to adapt quite nicely. So after three years of being involved in the EDM scene I recently decided to take a month off to head up to LA and embark on the times and trails of what they had to offer. Not steering away from EDM but more like driving away from OC.

In the month of March 2013, I found all sorts of new adventures and details that I cannot even list in this column but I would say this, LA has evolved in a new transformed EDM scene and it is more ratchet than ever. This scene is called trap music. So after getting a phone call to link up with my good friends at Cali Connect in the OC about a trap show that was going to be headlined by Guatemala’s DJ Carnage, I jumped on board in excitement. It’s not every week that OC gets someone of this caliber to play in our growing EDM community.

Carnage

DJ Carnage on the deck with friends enjoying the view.
Photo by Deyoung Williams

We all know Sutra in Costa Mesa packs in with well-known DJ’s and we can’t forget about The Yost Theatre in Santa Ana as well. Yost even had Bro Safari last month and I can even say that was epic, but to have DJ Carnage who is exceptional at Trap music and growing with popularity right now with his great remix of Spaceman by Hardwell and a marvelous collaboration with Luminox on Epic Records. None of us would of thought he’d be working with Borgore as well.

The incredible track entitled “Incredible” they leaked was one of the best trap beats so far in this early 2013 season. This great DJ and including the fact that he was playing at TEN nightclub in Newport Beach, one of my favorite venues here in the OC and was an 18 and over trap show that was going to be slammed. So you guessed it right, I geared up, made some calls and got my trap friends all together to head out that Thursday night on March 28.

Heading over to TEN can be a hassle sometimes when there are 18 and over shows, but for some odd reason it wasn’t half bad. They had an extra hand of staff members to help out with their VIP guests and for me that’s a big deal. I showed up fashionably late, as always, with already a mob of friends waiting for me, but my good friends with the promotion groups made it happen.

The lines we’re packed and everyone was ready to rage. They even lined up all the way around the corner to TEN Restaurant that hosted a good crowd as well. That sight made me happy because it’s always good to see one of my favorite venues staying jammin.’ We quickly made our way through and got escorted to our table. Even being there and noticing all the fans already tuned up was a privilege to see.

The openers were in full stream and the patio had a lot of bass, but did not over shadow the main stage. Sounds were quite on point that night. We made it in time to catch FortyOZ + Smurko’s set on the main stage. They had the crowd siked on the promising trap beats and hype men anthems. I was stoked for those guys as well.

As the night progressed, it suddenly appeared to me that this place was going to be packed in and I start running into people that I haven’t seen in forever. A reunion of some sort and I was just smiling with joy. The moment came when Carnage first stepped on the decks and everyone just belted out screams from all over and the cool thing was that the patio was still packed by sounds from DJ Sammi. So you had a couple of choices and options, which is always good at a club.

DJ Carnage also brought a very special guest with him by the name of Borgore and people went crazy. This is something that most DJ’s should do. My opinion is, if they work together on tracks and if time permits why not. It gets the fans more jonesed up and most importantly it gives them something to remember.

They showed everyone a good time with remixes that hailed from trap, dance, dub step, moombahton, and a little electro were added to the mix. I danced my butt off and everyone was on the same vibe. It was a special night in the OC and most importantly it gave me something to brag about to my LA friends. Thanks Cali Connect, ITS, and TEN for showing my friends and me a great time. I actually look forward to their next show on April 25 with Eddie Halliwell. If you are into the EDM scene and don’t mind going to an 18 and over club that hosts epic events be sure to check them out.

Until next time OC… keep it safe and flashy.

Filed Under: EDM Lounge