Tech N9ne’s Independent Grind Tour: Attendance Mandatory, Sobriety Optional

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Disclaimer: I don’t care much for the n-word, degrading objectifications of women nor improper grammar in general, which really limits my taste in rap music. That being said, I had a surprisingly good time at Tech N9ne’s Independent Grind Tour concert last Sunday at Eugene’s McDonald Theatre, and it was all thanks to one thing: alcohol.

I should’ve known this concert was going to be much different than the ones I’ve reviewed in the past, for each intermission was filled with Guvera.com roadies advising the crowd to “respect the rules of the venue” and “not do anything that’s gonna get you kicked out of the show before the greatest independent rapper alive hits the stage.” They weren’t kidding, either – security guards outlined the crowd as the distinct fragrances of cheap booze and marijuana (both of which were highly encouraged also by the intermissions’ hosts) permeated the air.


Portland-based Tragedy 503 opened the show, along with fellow metal/rap artist Knothead. Their music was starkly different from the rest of the night’s performers, with screamo/metal/hardcore dominating the hip-hop beats. Fans will have to wait to see more of these guys, though, as this was their last night joining Tech N9ne on tour.

Up next was Glasses Malone, a former hustler-turned-rapper who’s recorded with Akon and Lil’ Wayne. Accompanied by newcomer Jay Rock, G-Malone performed, to the crowd’s delight, favorites such as “I Get Doe” and “Haterz”. He even went old-school for a bit, sampling N.W.A.’s Boyz-N-The Hood before launching into his single with T-Pain, “Sun Come Up,” which can be seen in video format below.




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Jay Rock continued on to his own set thereafter, accompanied by even-newer rapper Kendrick Lamar. The duo performed a short set – well, everyone’s set was short because there were so many artists! – but thoroughly pleased the audience with tracks such as “I Do This,” a song Lamar said was a dedication to Eugene after the amazing experience he had the last time he was in town.

The ever-popular E-40 was the last opening act of the night so, naturally, the crowd went beserk by the time he came on. He’s been rapping for almost 20 years now, and his fluctuating vocal tones complement his unique lyric-spittin’ skills. E-40 cranked the party up to a new level with hit singles such as “U And Dat” and “40 Water.”

By the time Tech N9ne took the stage, I had a decent buzz and was ready to experience the highly-touted independent artist. Emerging from a giant box onstage, Tech N9ne treated fans to a high-energy show, complete with smoke, lights, and the occasional half-dressed, underage-looking girl being pulled onstage to dance for 30 seconds. (During his song “Areola,” – yeah, a song all about breasts – he brought a young girl up to flash the crowd.) He was joined by fellow rappers Kutt Calhoun, Big Scoob and Krizz Kaliko, who acted as his supporting vocalists and back-up dancers. Yes, Tech N9ne dances – and very impressively, I might add!

 

 




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It was easy to see why fans loved this Kansas City-born rapper: his lyrics shot out of his mouth like bullets from a machine gun, with clean precision and plenty of fire behind them. One can’t help but “get hyphy” to his infectious bass beats – he even got me dancing to tracks like “I’m a Playa” and “‘Bout Ta Bubble,” which can be see in the videos below.




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To summarize, there’s a lot of booze, sex and foul language to be expected at a Tech N9ne concert – but then again, it’s rap music! If you’re not having fun at a concert like this, you must not be drunk enough. Disregard whatever objections you may have, crack open a cold one and take in the best of what Tech N9ne has to offer: a night of “drinkin’ and smokin’ and humpin’ – and lovin’ it.”

Tech N9ne’s Independent Grind Tour stops in Fresno tonight at Woodward Park and will tour southern California through the end of the week.