N9na
N9NA (pronounced "Nina") is the twenty-first studio album by American rapper Tech N9ne, released on April 19, 2019, through the independent label Strange Music.[1] The album consists of 21 tracks and marks a more introspective and personal project compared to Tech N9ne's previous release, Planet (2018), which focused on broader themes involving others.[1] It features guest appearances from frequent collaborator Krizz Kaliko on multiple songs, as well as JL, King Iso, Futuristic, Maez301, Navé Monjo, C-Mob, Jelly Roll, and Church Boii, among others.[2] Produced primarily by Seven, Dominique Sanders, and Alexander West, N9NA blends hardcore hip hop elements with Tech N9ne's signature rapid-fire delivery and thematic depth, exploring his identity as the "Lord of Weird" and reflections on his career trajectory.[2] The tracklist includes standout singles like the title track "N9na" and "F.T.I. 2.0," with the full sequencing beginning with the intro "Le Horde" and concluding with the apologetic closer "I'm Sorry" featuring Church Boii.[2] Parts of the album were previewed earlier through digital collections released in late 2018, building anticipation for the complete project.[3] N9NA received generally positive reviews, with critics noting Tech N9ne's focused lyricism, though some commented on the album's length.[4] It debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200. The album supported Tech N9ne's "It Goes Up Tour 2019," featuring live performances alongside labelmates like Krizz Kaliko and Dax.[1]Background and development
Concept and inspiration
Tech N9ne chose the title N9NA (pronounced "Nina") as a phonetic play on his stage name, Tech N9ne, to spotlight his signature "weird" and intense rap delivery characterized by rapid-fire flows and syncopated rhythms.[1] This moniker, drawn from the title track where he spells out "T-E-C-H-N-9-N-E" before shortening it to "N9na," serves as a reintroduction to his core persona as "the maker," emphasizing the raw, unpolished energy fans associate with his style.[5] The album's concept stems from Tech N9ne's lifelong position as an outsider in mainstream hip-hop, inspired by decades of industry rejection, personal hardships, and unwavering fan loyalty that propelled his independent career. Announced in late 2018 as part of Strange Music's ongoing releases, N9NA marked a shift toward introspective storytelling blended with horrorcore elements, such as dark, ominous instrumentation and haunting narratives exploring mental states and self-assurance.[5] This approach responded to fan demands for a more personal project with fewer collaborations, allowing Tech to rap "like I ain’t rich," reflecting his early struggles from project origins to sold-out shows.[6] Positioned as a milestone after over 20 years in music and his 21st studio album, N9NA functions as an autobiographical bookmark of Tech N9ne's journey, contrasting his collaborative previous effort Planet by honing in on individual experiences and thematic depth. Pre-release EPs like the N9NA Collections teased this sound through initial singles.[1] The project underscores his resilience, with tracks like "Like I Ain’t" serving as a four-minute biopic of perseverance amid rejection, while maintaining horrorcore flair in songs evoking devilish intensity and psychological turmoil.[4]Recording process
The recording of Tech N9ne's album N9NA primarily took place at Strangeland Studios in Kansas City, Missouri, serving as the home base for most sessions, with additional recording occurring on the road during tours in Europe, including in Russia.[7] Sessions spanned from late 2018 into early 2019, aligning with the release of the lead single "N9NA" on November 2, 2018, and pre-release collections in March 2019, culminating ahead of the full album's launch on April 19, 2019.[8][9] Production involved multiple contributors focused on beat creation and arrangement, led by Michael "Seven" Summers, who handled seven tracks including "N9NA," "F'n Do It," and "Rata."[2] Other key producers included Dominique Sanders (three tracks, such as "Lord of Weird"), Anthony L. Saunders ("Hit the Ground Running"), King Iso ("She Fell"), and Alexander West ("EF U (Easier For You)").[2] Tech N9ne typically wrote lyrics directly to incoming beats, selecting and refining tracks in collaboration with his production team to shape the project's direction.[7] Guest recording sessions integrated frequent collaborators from the Strange Music roster, including Krizz Kaliko, JL, and King Iso, whose verses were captured during targeted features to enhance the album's dynamic interplay; for instance, King Iso appeared on "Hit the Ground Running" with JL and on "F'n Do It" with Jelly Roll.[1][7] The final product features 21 tracks with a total runtime of 1:07:32, curated to balance depth and accessibility while excluding certain pre-release material to adhere to runtime constraints.[10][2]Pre-release material
N9NA Collection 1
N9NA Collection 1 is a four-track extended play (EP) by American rapper Tech N9ne, released digitally on November 2, 2018, via his independent label Strange Music. The project functioned as the initial teaser installment in a series of pre-release materials intended to generate anticipation for Tech N9ne's twenty-first studio album, N9NA, by showcasing the record's intense, aggressive energy and horrorcore-infused aesthetic. Produced primarily by Mike Summers, Anthony Saunders, and Dominique Sanders, the EP highlighted Tech N9ne's rapid-fire delivery and thematic focus on personal resilience amid chaos, setting the tone for the full-length release scheduled for the following year.[11] The EP's tracklist comprises:- "N9NA" (3:33), the lead single and titular preview track produced by Mike Summers, featuring Tech N9ne's signature chopper-style flows over a brooding beat that evokes a sense of unstoppable momentum. This song received an early audio premiere upon the EP's launch, building immediate buzz among fans for its raw intensity.[12][9]
- "Hit the Ground Running" (3:23) featuring JL and King Iso, produced by Anthony Saunders, a high-octane collaboration emphasizing relentless drive and lyrical dexterity, which drew praise for its seamless guest verses and motivational edge.[12][13]
- "Chuki Fever" (3:39), produced by Dominique Sanders, an aggressive cut blending feverish rhythms with battle-ready bars, noted for its fever-pitch energy that amplified the EP's overall hype factor.[12][13]
- "H.O.B." (3:58) featuring Navé Monjo, produced by Dominique Sanders, a darker track exploring themes of obsession and inner turmoil through haunting production and introspective lyrics, which resonated with listeners for its emotional depth amid the EP's bombastic style.[12][13]