Interview By Elmo Chong

What happens when the most successful independent rapper of all time opens up about pain, legacy, and the creative fire that never dies?

On this week’s Sonical.ly Podcast, we sit down with the legendary Tech N9ne, whose latest album 5816 Forest takes us back to where it all began — his childhood home in Kansas City.

Known for his rapid-fire flows, fearless genre-blending, and fiercely independent career, Tech gets real about the struggles that shaped him, and the discipline that sustains him.

In our conversation, Tech N9ne shares:

🔸 The emotional story behind 5816 Forest and returning to his roots

🔸 How he’s remained creatively sharp over 25+ albums

🔸 What he learned from collaborating with Eminem, Kendrick, and Lil Wayne

🔸 The advice he gives young artists about ownership, control, and purpose

🔸 How personal pain and family history drive his storytelling

🔸 Why “being strange” is still his superpower

Key takeaways for music creators:

Don’t wait to be chosen. Tech built Strange Music from the ground up so he’d never have to compromise his vision. “The industry gate was locked, so I kicked in the side door.”

The most authentic music comes from truth. 5816 Forest isn’t just an album — it’s a journal of trauma, growth, and transformation told with zero filters.

Collaboration is a craft. When you’re trading verses with lyrical giants, Tech says: “It’s not about out-rapping them — it’s about elevating the whole song.”

Longevity takes discipline. Even now, he practices nonstop, tweaks endlessly, and rewrites verses to this day. “Greatness takes grind.”

Create your own lane. Tech’s career proves you don’t need the mainstream to make impact — you need conviction, vision, and a tribe that believes in your art.

One of our most powerful episodes yet.

For anyone chasing independence, mastery, or meaning in music — this one's for you.

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