thePULSE
By Kara Olson
The Rock the Bells Festival Series is described as a world class hip hop platform, and it doesn’t disappoint. What started in 2004 as an all day music festival in southern California exploded into an annual international who’s who of the hip hop world. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the show this July 18 at the Comcast Center and thrilled to see such mind-blowing MCs and musicians like Common, Nas, Talib Kweli, The Roots, K’Naan, Damien Marley, KRS-One, Busta Rhymes, and the list goes on and on. Read on to learn more about two stand out performers on the bill, Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko, whom I was invited to interview on behalf of Pulse (hey, it’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!). Many thanks to the guys for taking the time to talk with me ~ they were great and I had a blast!
Hip hop is home to some of the most creative and eccentric artists that the music world has to offer. When it seems like we’ve seen and heard all that can be done and said, someone tackles the daunting task of trying to stand out in such an elite crowd.
But Tech N9ne has made it his mission not only to stand out, but to take over.
Over the past 24 years and nine studio albums, Tech N9ne has made a name for himself by pushing the boundaries of what is considered normal by most rap artists.
“When I was young, first writing my rhymes in ’85, my stepfather didn’t want me to rap, he didn’t understand. ‘What do you have that nobody else has?’ he would ask me. He really made me want to do something different for people to see me. I thank him for pushing me.”
And different he is.
Known for his insanely fast rhymes, pain filled lyrics, and elaborate stage make-up, Tech N9ne makes sure that his sets aren’t just entertaining, they are unforgettable stage events.
“I knew they would like it because I know I have something extra that’s peculiar. I knew once people saw me I would be received well. My quest is to get it to everybody.”
To help in his quest he created the Strange Music label in 1999, not only to ensure a safe place to explore his creative freedom, but also to house and develop knew acts that too think outside the mainstream hip hop box. “We need to infect the nations, like a forest fire.”
One of his most promising acts is the hugely talented Krizz Kaliko. Tech found Krizz during an open mic session in Kansas City, and the two have been creating magic ever since.
When asked to describe what is sound is like in the Strange Music family, Krizz said, “I too want to be elite. If you put Tech, Notorious B.I.G., Bob Marley, Prince, and Elton John together, you have Krizz Kaliko. I want to do things you wouldn’t expect.”
“I really want the world to hear what I can do, I need to let the world hear Krizz Kaliko.”
Tech N9ne’s next album, KOD, is set to release Halloween and Krizz Kaliko’s latest, Genius, has already hit stores.
And it was obvious from the crowd’s (and my!) reaction to their performance that the new releases are going to fly off those shelves.
Two of the most determined men in music under one label can only mean amazing things to come. I would say watch out for Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko, but it really doesn’t matter ~ because they’re coming to grab your attention no matter what.
