Tech N9ne's Bizarre-Core Hip-Hop Flows Through Town

Pueblo Chieftain - 10/09/2016 Copy Reduced to 75% from original to fit letter page Page : A06

Sunday, October 9, 2016 Page 6A The Pueblo Chieftain ■ Pueblo, Colorado Tech N9ne’s bizarre-core hip-hop flows through town and black face paint simi- is a common theme run- prone, which many lar in manner to that of ning through many of his old-school rap songs have a Voodoo priest, he now songs, poetically relaying often been accused of dons a white skull mask a sense of the hellish di- containing. Yet, is not the with a large black anar- vinity that permeates the language employed by an chy symbol, an imposing human soul. artist merely a reflection ERIK SEGALL combination reminiscent The opening bands, of the world from which Life of the Punisher and Slip Black Pegasus and Starrz, Knot. pumped up the crowd they emerged? Also, such Tech N9ne was in The diverse crowd fill- with rap ballads and re- demeaning and deroga- da houuuse last night, ing Memorial Hall last mixed dubstep songs. Oc- tory attitudes have proven performing his nation- night consisted of new- casionally, the particularly to be profitable through- wide “The Calm Before school teenage East-Siders skunky odor of marijuana out the music industry. the Storm” tour before a mixed in with hip-hop permeated the crowd, However, in spitfire nearly sold-out show of devotees down from yet security was quick to fashion Tech N9ne sounds 1,600 in Memorial Hall on the Springs, 30-year-old pounce upon and extricate his way to Red Rocks. more like an auctioneer Latinos sporting their the offending tokers. on speed emoting pain Bustin’ rhymes since the ubiquitous black T-shirts Once Tech N9ne Tech N9ne instead of products. ’90s, 44-year-old Aaron and 40-year-old white emerged on stage, he To say the show was Dontez Yates aka Tech suburbanites who grew up proved indubitably why N9ne aka Don P has sold on Tech N9ne’s Anghellic he is the headlining act, large screens behind the as a prophet educating the dope would be an infernal over 2 million albums over album. The combination dropping clean beats and performer, along with subdued masses. understatement, more his long musical career. of ‘angel’ and ‘hell’, a term unleashing fierce ver- videos which promote the Unfortunately, some of like Tech N9ne busted Starting way back in ’91 as conveying the good/evil bal fire. Explosions and reoccurring image that the lyrics are misogynis- Pueblo’s provincial psyche a member of Black Mafia duality within humanity, flames filled the three Tech N9ne sees himself tic, vulgar and violence- wide open. and gaining major suc- cess after launching the Strange Music record label nearly 20 years ago, Tech N9ne is known primarily for his rapid lyrical Chop- per style. Shocking crowds over the years by wearing white