It’s only a matter of time before Freshmen 5-er Tech N9ne gets too famous to return our calls. With songs from his latest album, Eveready (The Religion), popping up like crazy in movies, video games and TV shows, the king of Kansas City hyphy is on an explosive, one-way trip to the top and he’s not about to look back now. While we had his attention, we strapped this soon-to-be-megastar down to The Hot Seat and tried to sweat out the secret of his success. Read on to see what we discovered.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: Being in South Dakota with a beautiful woman in my room after the show who turned out to be the promoter’s girl. My door was open so he walked right in and started yelling at her, telling her to leave with him and she would not get up out of the bed so he called her mom right in front of me. Keep in mind these people were over the age of 25. After awhile, I told her to leave with her dude and he thanked me rather than killing me. Crazy, right?
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: I always wanted to major in Psychology because I?ve always been intrigued by people and the different things that their minds make them think or do.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: L.A. is the city I choose because my angels, meaning my children, live there. When I?m not touring I go there and we do Magic Mountain, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios and so on.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: Quincy Jones the composer told me to always rap what I know and people will forever feel me. He was right.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: Floetry?s Floacism, System of a Down’s Mezmerize, Toxicity, Hypnotize and Steal this Album, The Game’s Doctor’s Advocate, Snoop Dogg’s The Blue Carpet Treatment and Gnarls Barkley?s St. Elsewhere.
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to?
A: The TV show that I’m addicted to is called The L word, I love Women.
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw and how was it?
A: If I remember correctly it was The Dazz Band and Kool and the Gang. I can’t remember the feeling but if I had to guess I would have to say the show was very happy.
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: My Luciano Saprani and Hugh Parsons cologne, my cocoa butter, and my Colgate toothpaste.
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: Public Enemy, N.W.A., B.D.P., Eric B and Rakim, Mantronix and Ice-T.
Q: Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
A: Celebrate life.
