Tech N9ne - The Calm Before the Storm: Part 1

Yes, I am reviewing Tech N9ne on here as well. 

Kansas City native Aaron Yates, better known to followers of the independent rap scene as Tech N9ne, is widely regarded as the most successful independent rapper of all time, quite a feat considering that he came from Kansas City, Missouri, a place where you would expect the most successful independent hillbilly to come from, not a hardcore rapper. However, Kansas City was and is a big place, and therefore there was bound to be someone coming from it at some point, and that person was the speed-flow king Tecca Nina. Since his debut album, released all the way back in 1999, Tech has released a total of 24 solo studio albums, as well as over 10 EPs and mixtapes, and has also started a hugely successful record label, Strange Music, that has spawned such artists as Jay Rock, umm, err... well, the average rap fan probably hasn't heard of any of the members, but that's something we're bound to discuss at a later date. 

Back in the '90s, however, Tech was a struggling artist desperate for a record deal, and by the time 1999 came around, he had already been signed to and then dropped by Qwest Records, having recorded a whole album for the label, Be Warned, only for it to be shunned the moment it was complete as if it were a big bag of scorpion eggs. Despite never releasing an album for them, Tech was able to get out of the deal, and his debut album (released after a few singles during the mid '90s) was put out through the very, VERY underground KC label, MidWestSide Records. Despite Tech previously having a song on the popular soundtrack to the film Gang Related (entitled "Questions"), the album, titled The Calm Before the Storm: Part 1, may has well have been played to the inner core of the Earth, as no-one outside of KC heard it at the time of its release (it would only later pick up recognition after Tech gained his large fanbase in the 2000s). However, nowadays the project gets more and more love from Tech N9ne's fans, and is regarded as a bit of a gem (even though the larger hip-hop audience have never heard the album - Tech has always had a problem reaching the hip-hop heads, something we'll also discuss more in later reviews). Me being a massive, massive Tech N9ne fan, I of course have listened to this project, and so I guess we'd better start with his ridiculously long catalogue here, then. A pretty tough assignment, I know, but I'm sure we'll get there in the end...

Apologies for the shorter write-up, too, but since this is effectively a glorified demo tape, I didn't think as much effort needed to be put in on my part.

All tracks produced by Don Juan, except where noted.

1. Planet Rock 2K (Down South Mix) (prod. Don Juan & Polar Bear)

Now, as with a lot of early Tech N9ne music, this track's origin story is a little hard to work out. The track wasn't released as a single prior to the album, but I think I recall seeing someone say that there was an original version (not the so-called "Original Version" from Tech's next album, but a real original release) on a soundtrack, which I don't actually recall the name of (EDIT: I just worked out that the original was on the soundtrack to the film "Thicker Than Water"). Therefore, I suppose this is a remix to that song, and it's bloody good. Apart from the fact that starting your album with a remix is a sure-fire way to make listeners think this is nothing more than a fake mixtape, the rapping on here is actually incredible. The lyrics say pretty much nothing, but the way they are delivered is just impeccable. This is definitely one of the tracks that made me fall in love with Tech in the first place, and I still see why listening today. The beat is pretty dope as well, although the "Original Version" that appears on his next album has slightly better production in my opinion. That long-ass outro needs to be cut the fuck out though - there's no way anyone wants to hear three minutes of repetition of the same line, so why include it? What's the point, I ask?

2. Cloudy-Eyed Stroll (Remix)

Now, this one I do know the history behind. It's a little known fact that Tech's first hit, "Mitch Bade" (which appears later on on this album) was actually the B-Side to the original version of this song right here (sometimes, I even impress myself with my own genius). This track is solid, and the storytelling is pretty funny, but the subdued G-Funk beat is a little dull, and the hook is not great. Still, pretty enjoyable track.

3. Flipside (Rough Version) (prod. QDIII)

Wow, Tech really wants this to appear like a demo, huh? Titling something as a "rough version" makes this seem as far from a studio album as you can get, but it's my belief that this was actually a joke - this is a rather vulgar sex song, so therefore it is the "rough" version, as it is about rough sex! Get it? Haha!! The first in a long line of unreasonably graphic Tech N9ne sex songs has a dope beat, and the hook is reasonably catchy, but man, these lyrics are a turn off. Maybe the fact that he regularly says stuff like "you and your homegirl rollin' with me, jerkin' my dick off" is why so many hip-hop heads don't listen to him? Just a theory.

4. Mizzizy Gets Bizzy (feat. Don Juan)

Don Juan was Tech N9ne's main producer back in the early days, before he started pissing around with Tech's money, and he also used to rap, albeit in one of the most dreary fashions you can imagine. He ain't bad, but can't he at least act like he wants to be in the studio? This beat is once again pretty dull G-Funk, something that can be found frequently across this LP, and the only thing to really come back to this for is Tech's incredibly impressive performance. 

5. On Our Way To L.A. (feat. Don Juan)

A lot more interesting than the previous track, as this one actually tells some pretty interesting stories about Tech and Juan's adventures on their trip from KC to LA. The beat on here is actually pretty smooth as well, and while nothing too memorable, it does keep you grooving while it's playing through. Good track.

6. Spend The Night (feat. Paul Law & Rock Money)

Around now is when we start to realise how many goddamn features there are on this project. If you are one of the people that thought this, don't keep your hopes high - it gets a lot worse after this, to the point where in the 2010s, there would be around one solo track on each of his 20-plus song albums. Jesus. This song? It's shit.

7. Clueless (feat. Larone Burnett & Sole)

The problem with there being so many features on these early Tech albums is that no-one knows who the fuck any of these people are. And that's a good thing, as listening to Larone Burnett's performance on here is akin to slowly peeling your ears off with your bare hands. The beat is good, however, and Tech and Sole (who is actually a female MC) both do a nice job. That singing is godawful, though.

8. Questions (Rough Draft) (prod. QDIII, co-prod. Don Juan)

Not a "Rough Version" this time, no. This time, it's a "Rough Draft". Get it right, wankers. This is the aforementioned song that appeared on the Gang Related soundtrack, and therefore a lot of people's introductions to Yates. With that in mind, I don't know why he didn't get more fans, as this song is excellent. It's easily one of the best tracks here, with Tech's flows being impeccable, and the content of him asking himself questions like some kind of psychopath is actually very interesting. The hook is pretty iconic in the world of Tech as well. The outro goes on for a bit long, but it's at least a lot better than whatever the hell they were doing on "Planet Rock 2K (Down South Mix)". A classic track.

9. Now It's On (feat. Lejo) (prod. DJ Style (aka The Wierdo))

Nowadays, this is the most well-known tracks on this album, and actually one of Tech's most streamed songs, full stop. I don't know how this happened, but I'm sure there's a reason somewhere. The song itself is actually very good, with the synthy beat being pulsating and intense, and both rappers delivering electrifying performances over it. The hook, that samples a line from Tech's "Mitch Bade", is alright too. Apparently Tech and Lejo fell out after the release of this song, a shame, as more songs like this would certainly be appreciated. Get on with it, men!

10. Bitch Sickness (feat. Fats Bossillini & Rame Royal)

When I first listened to this album, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this song - the title was what worried me. "What the hell does "Bitch Sickness" mean", I thought. Today, I still don't really know, but at the same time I do very much enjoy this song, as the beat is pretty interesting, and I can enjoy the verses from all the rappers, even though Tech clearly steals the show. This is also easily one of the best hooks on the whole album. Very good track.

11. Soldiers At War (feat. Don Juan, Big Scoob, Short Nitty & L.V.)

NOT the L.V. from "Gangsta's Paradise", but instead one of many random Kansas City rappers to make an appearance on this album. This track has always been quite dull to me, even if I have warmed up to a it a bit more recently, and the beat is pretty dull if we're being honest. The rappers at least deliver on here, and it's nice to hear a bit of Big Scoob on the album (someone who would collaborate with Tech a lot more frequently later on, even signing to his record label). FUCK Short Nitty, by the way.

12. Cotton Soldier

A poor sequencing idea to list two songs with the word "soldier" in the title if you ask me, but then again I am a bit of a petty fucker. This song is dull as hell, and the synths in the beat are especially unpleasant. Skip this one.

13. Relish

According to Tech, "Relish" is a slang word for "money", but in all honesty, I don't really care. This is interesting as the first of many times that Tech would attempt to introduce a new phrase to the public, but not in any other way unfortunately.

14. Mitchell Bade (Interlude)

A bloody skit? You do those as well, Tech? You're supposed to be against silly mainstream trends! DWAMN you!! (See, it doesn't work!)

15. Mitch Bade (feat. Bakarii)

In case you're too damned stupid to figure it out, "Mitch Bade" is Tech's euphemism for "Bitch Made". Since this song was released in 1996, I guess THIS was the first time that Tech attempted to introduce a new phrase, rendering the only interesting part of "Relish" null and void. This song BANGS, and is refreshing after a few terrible songs in a row. The beat on here is nice, the bars are dope, and the hook is damned catchy as well. "What up Mitch? Is it an everyday thing, for you to act just like a bitch?". Dope way to close the album right here.

Overall, The Calm Before the Storm: Part 1 is an interesting listen, but at the same time not really particularly essential for anyone, and certainly not the project to start with if you want to get into Tech N9ne's music. A lot of the songs on here sound like rocks clanging against each other (read: bloody horrific), and the lyrical content is very rarely actually interesting. Some of the R&B features were hugely unnecessary too. Tech N9ne is the redeeming feature of this album, as his flows are almost always entertaining. A lot of the featured rappers bring little to the table, though, and the beats all sound very, very similar. However, there are a handful of highlights, so be sure to check the "best tracks" listed below, as they are actually fairly stellar. Most of the songs here should be left to be withered away by Father Time though, and as such, I wouldn't recommend a full listen here (surprisingly the first time I've said that if I remember correctly - I think I forgot the recommendation entirely with Common's Can I Borrow A Dollar ?, so that's clever). This album would be heavily improved upon later, though, so don't worry - things with the Nina will get a lot better from here. 

Best Tracks: Planet Rock 2K (Down South Mix), On Our Way To L.A., Questions (Rough Draft), Now It's On, Bitch Sickness, Mitch Bade

Worst Tracks: Spend The Night, Cotton Soldier, Relish