To close the set, Tech and Krizz performed 'Speedom (Worldwide Choppers 2),' a song inspired by folk rocker Richie Havens' original classic 'Freedom.' After years traveling his own path, it's a fitting way to define Tech N9ne's wildly independent approach. Backed by a guitar, drums and bass for their Tiny Desk, the trio brought out the rock-tinged hues of such definitive Tech N9ne songs as 'Dysfunctional,' 'Aw Yeah? (interVENTion)' – dedicated to his mother who died from lupus in 2014 – and 'Fragile,' originally assisted by Kendrick Lamar, Mayday and Kendall Morgan.

Their playful banter between songs personifies that creative connection, as Krizz delivers backing vocals and guest verses from the soul. Together, they've carved out an unorthodox niche: chopper-style speed rap that often plumbs dark, emotional depths. native and kindred spirit of Tech N9ne's. 'This is how we laugh at all the other rappers,' Strange Music comrade Krizz Kaliko says, letting out a belly laugh near the end of duo's Tiny Desk set. The Kansas City native has been a beast for years now, a musical misfit who laid a track record of underground success and struggle before building his own independent empire with Strange Music. It’s by no coincidence that his latest label-wide collaborative project was named Dominion – Tech N9ne will not stop until he and Strange Music have completely dominated the world of hip-hop and beyond.During a career nearly three decades in the making, Tech N9ne has dodged the fickle rap industry while surfing his own wave, stylistically and professionally. Everyone from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to Elton John has been spotted bumping Tech N9ne records, a testament to constant reinvention and inarguable excellence that has become standard of Tech’s work. Tech’s multi-faceted skillset has not gone unrecognized by artists of all genres, exemplified by collaborations with such diverse artists as The Doors, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Eminem, and Boyz II Men, to name just a few. In less than two decades, Tech himself has earned three gold records, sold over two million albums, and made multiple appearances on Forbes’s “Hip-Hop Cash Kings” list. Corey Taylor Recounts Run-In With the Devil on New Song Hwy 666.

Tech’s unparalleled tour schedule and signature rapid-fire “chopper” style combined with the business acumen of Strange Music CEO Travis O’Guin have molded Strange Music into the number one independent hip-hop label in the world. In 1988, Aaron adopted the name Tech N9ne. The independent underground would not be what it is today without pioneers like Strange Music cofounder Tech N9ne.

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