Strange Music Box: XXL’s Ultimate “Tech N9ne Collabos” Playlist

It’s no mystery that hip-hop fans more partial to mainstream sounds aren’t completely up on Tech N9ne’s skills. There’s a chance that the Kansas City, Missouri veteran’s name rings faint bells for those glued to radio dials, but the inner workings of the eccentric MC’s 10-year career go largely undiscovered. Yet, that doesn’t mean the less-adventurous rap heads’ favorite artists aren’t hip to Tech’s Strange Music game. Beneath the surface, Tech N9ne has worked with a diverse lineup of peers, from higher-profile names to more niche spitters.

Today, marks the release of Tech N9ne’s third “collabos” album, The Gates Mixed Plate. Like its two predecessors (2007’s Misery Loves Kompany and 2009’s Sickology 101), the album finds the underground king performing alongside his Strange Music labelmates (such as Krizz Kaliko and Kutt Calhoun) and a slew of unsigned talent. Inspired by his latest the-more-the-merrier LP, here’s our own tailor-made Tech N9ne Collabos play list, made up of the independent hustler’s best jams featuring fan faves from outside the Strange Music camp. It’s absolute power in numbers.

1) “The Anthem" (feat. Rza, Eminem, Xzibit, Pharaohe Monch, Jayo Felony, Chino XL, Kool G Rap, KRS-One); Sway & King Tech’s This or That, 1999