¡Mayday! Signs With Tech N9ne's Strange Music Label

Here at Hooked on That, we've always been supportive of master hip hop musicians ¡Mayday! so we are very happy to report of their signing to the biggest indie label around Tech N9ne's Strange Music. Congrats guys!

via XXL

The crew, which consists of Wreckoniz and BernBiz on vocals, Plex Luthor on guitar and keys, Gianni Cash on Bass and keys, L.T. Hopkins on Drums and Nonymous on percussion, have recorded with a handful of big acts like Cee-Lo Green and Devin the Dude and worked with Lil Wayne in the past. Their music also got placements on such popular TV shows as Entourage and Lincoln Heights.

Jay Rock 'Follow Me Home' Arrives March 1st 2011

Thanks to the indie/hip hop powerhouse known as Tech N9ne, brings Jay Rock to the Strange Music label home. After receiving little attention while on Warner Bros., Jay Rock took matters into his own hands by consistently releasing mixtapes and music online, keeping his legions of fans fed and more recently finishing a successful tour with the Strange Music roster. With Tech N9ne and Jay Rock joining forces, indie hip hop will be one of the main focal points for 2011. In addition, expect to see a number of key releases in the month of March that include Young Jeezy, Raekwon, Snoop, Lupe, Fabolous, so Jay Rock will be in good company for 2011.

Tech N9ne Explains Executive VP Role At Strange Music With Ballerstatus (Interview)

In the past few years, Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne has emerged as one of biggest hip-hop acts in the biz, despite doing everything independently through his Strange Music label. He's done well. So well, in fact, that in his nearly 20-year career, he's has sold over 1 million units collectively.

While it's his solo career that generates the majority of the Strange Music's profits -- via CD sales, a rigorous touring schedule, and merchandising -- the rapper is becoming quite the businessman, helping the label generate revenue elsewhere through their growing roster of artists.

At Strange Music, Tech holds the title of Executive Vice President, where he works hand-in-hand with CEO Travis O'Guin in making the big decisions.

While in L.A. for a show earlier this month, we caught up with Tech to find out exactly what his duties as a label executive entails.

"I'm the n**** that brings in all the acts. A lot of clothing you see, Travis will run it through me: 'What do you think?'" Tech explained to BallerStatus.com. "As vice president, I sit beside Travis ... when I'm there. We put things together ... together, whether it be merchandise, whether it be the tours. We do everything 50/50 man. Whenever I come back from a tour, he runs it all down to me. If I say 'Yah', we go.

As an exec, Tech has helped sign several artists to Strange Music. Their most recent signee is veteran horrorcore rapper Brotha Lynch Hung, who dropped his label debut Dinner and a Movie in late March.

As a fan of Lynch since his 1993 debut 24 Deep, Tech brought the Sacramento rapper to the label, but it was important, he says, to make sure felt at home. As an artist himself, who's been through ups and downs in his own career, Tech says the treatment of his artists are one of his top priorities ... and so far, so good.

"When people weren't being true [in my career], it let me learn what not to do when it come to my artists. Or to be 100 with my artists and not be shady ... hide money, do all kind of stupid sh**," Tech N9ne explained. "To have Brotha Lynch Hung over here, happy; to have Krizz Kaliko over here, happy; Kutt Calhoun over here, happy; Cognito over here, happy; Big Scoob over here, happy. That's a big thing. Means we're doing it right.

"It lets me sit back and say 'Yes, I did something correct'. "

Even with the "vice president" label on his resume, Tech N9ne says he's still 100% focused on the music side of things, entrusting O'Guin to handle everything, business-wise, day-to-day.

"I don't balance it," the rapper admitted. "Travis handles everything else at home, because I do too much on the artist side. I'm touring, I'm in the studio 24/7. That's why I keep a Blackberry, because it's the business phone. Travis keeps me up to speed on everything."

With all Tech's success, we asked if he plans to retire from music sometime in the future to focus more on label duties. To sum up his answer: "never."

"Music is in my veins ... in my bones. I don't think I'm ever gonna be able to stop until I die man," the rapper said. "I tried to stop around Killer time. I'm 38 years old, and move up there like I'm 19. I'm getting stronger. My hair's getting longer and I'm stronger. I'mma keep moving until my ankles don't work no more."

Strange Music are not resting on its laurels. They have a full schedule of projects set to drop throughout 2010.

Tech N9ne just dropped a five-song EP called the Lost Scripts of K.O.D. weeks ago, but is planning the release of a K.O.D. DVD, a third collabos album called The Ollie Gates Mixed Plate in July, a new solo project from Krizz Kaliko called Shock Treatment, the June release of Kutt Calhoun's Raw And Un-Kut, Cognito's Automatic, and another solo album from Big Scoob. (June 8) (source)

Brotha Lynch Hung 'Dinner And A Movie' Coming March 23

via the press release

Warning: This may be the most disturbing piece of music ever…

(Los Angeles, CA) – Last year, Tech N9ne's indie powerhouse Strange Music welcomed BROTHA LYNCH HUNG into its growing family. On March 23, 2010, the King of Sacramento unveils the full-length album fans have been waiting for since 2003's Lynch by Inch.

Dinner and A Movie, the first of three concept albums BROTHA LYNCH HUNG will release via Strange Music, follows the life of a serial killer that's slaying rappers in the game. Building on his respect for scary cinemateurs like Rob Zombie and Wes Craven, BROTHA LYNCH HUNG theatrically showcases his own ability to switch on and off his double personality: regular guy by day, serial killer by night.

BROTHA LYNCH HUNG, aided by director Dan Gedman of Liquid 9 and :31, will present nine videos chronicling this madman's journey through all three albums. The first video, "Meat," introduces the troubled main character that eventually turns to the dark side. "I Plotted (My Next Murder)" will be posted online next, in which you witness the central character embrace his alter ego: the serial killing, mask-wearing Coat Hanga Strangla. By the time the third video, "Colostomy Bag," arrives, it becomes evident that the power of killing has seduced the rapper and behind the mask is where he wants to be.

Crafting three records in the form of three acts that comprise an audio drama, BROTHA LYNCH HUNG goes where no other rapper has gone before. In his online theater production, he pays homage to American Psycho – the sexuality of violence and the thrills of living a double life.

"This is the first time this has ever been done," assures Gedman. "We are visually bringing this character to life, and then Lynch is going to write the next two albums. It's an interactive process. Now he has to lyrically revisit the character and story, knowing what it all looks like."

Like each member of the Strange Music label, BROTHA LYNCH HUNG lives by a similarly intense, do-or-die, work ethic. Almost every year since his 1993 debut, 24 Deep, he has released a CD, and his total CD sales top 1.4 million. Impressive feats considering he has never been affiliated with a major label.

Tech N9ne Performance In Reno, NV On The K.O.D. Tour

Fan shot footage below.







Tech N9ne's K.O.D. Tour is currently underway. Seen here, Tech N9ne performed at the New Oasis in Reno, NV Wednesday, October 21.

10.25 - Rialto - Tucson, AZ
10.26 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
10.28 - Sunshine Theatre - Albuquerque, NM
10.29 - Aggie - Fort Collins, CO
10.30 - Fillmore - Denver, CO
10.31 - Cotillion Ballroom - Wichita, KS
11.01 - Cains - Tulsa, OK
11.04 - Austin Music Hall - Austin, TX
11.05 - The Village - Little Rock, AR
11.06 - Pops - St. Louis, IL
11.07 - Liquor Sweets, Milwaukee, WI
11.08 - Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
11.09 - Water Street Music Hall - Rochester, NY
11.10 - Palladium - Worcester, MA
11.11 - Webster Theatre - Hartford, CT
11.12 - Nor Va - Norfolk, VA
11.13 - Hammerstein Ballroom - New York City, NY
11.16 - State Theatre - St. Petersburg, FL
11.17 - Club Firestone - Orlando, FL
11.18 - Touch Nightclub - Jackson, MS
11.20 - Allen Event Center - Allen, TX
11.21 - Independence Event Center - Independence, MO

Tech N9ne - 'K.O.D.' on Strange Music in stores October 27.

(video courtesy of Anchellic)

Tech N9ne Street Teamer Explains How To Do A 3D Display

Sacramento's Brotha Lynch Hung signs with Strange Music

When Dave Weiner, Vice President of Strange Music West, first heard BROTHA LYNCH HUNG's certified Gold classic Season of da Siccness (1995), he was blown away. The man responsible for signing Master P to Priority Records in the mid-'90s, as well as orchestrating the joint venture that Tech N9ne and Strange Music entered into with JCOR, now has the honor of bringing BROTHA LYNCH to the Strange Music family.

Strange Music is already one of the most successful independent music labels in the world - in 2008, its flagship artist, Tech N9ne, SoundScanned over one million units, making him one of the most successful independent Hip-Hop artists in history.

LYNCH and Tech N9ne are far from strangers. LYNCH is familiar to Tech fans due to his standout verse on "My World" from Tech's Everready album (2006); Tech appeared on "187 on a Hook" from LYNCH's Blocc Movement (2001).

"There's an incredible synergy," states Weiner. "Every Tech fan knows that verse ["My World"] and is wondering what's going on with LYNCH." Fans need wonder no more, as Brotha Lynch Hung emerges as the newest Strange Music artist.

Like each member of the Strange Music label, LYNCH lives by a similarly intense, do-or-die, work ethic. Almost every year since his 1993 debut, 24 Deep, the Sacramento native has released a CD. An impressive feat considering he has never been affiliated with a major label.

Hailed by Monterey County's The Herald as "one of the most original and influential Northern Cali rap artists out there," LYNCH has maintained a loyal fan base over the years. He entertains with twisted humor, grim tales and a delivery that rides the beat with both a rapid-fire intensity and smooth soulful flow. He's seen hard times – the death of his mother, label deals gone wrong, drugs, despair – yet his lyrics are infused with a will to survive and a passion for life that override the dark corners of his mind.

Since releasing Lynch by Inch in 2003, LYNCH has maintained his visibility through mixtapes, yet fans have been waiting for a full-length album. You've been warned: LYNCH is currently working on Dinner and a Movie, his latest CD, slated to be released later this year.

"BROTHA LYNCH fits in with Strange, ideally, it couldn't be better," states Weiner. "It makes all the sense in the world. His talent and abilities are incredible."
(from press release)