Inside Tech N9ne's Midwest Empire | Forbes

The Kansas City Cash King may not be quite as well-known as Jay-Z or Diddy, but he has quietly built up an operation that includes his own recording studio, merchandise warehouse, and touring trucks.
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[@StrangeCollectionHQ]

Trav needs to get more credit... He is like the Tech of the Business World.

[@chromellama721]

in other words hes greedy

[@hiphopheaven]

Tech N9ne wouldn't be Tech N9ne without Trav and Trav wouldn't be Trav without Tech N9ne.That's why the deal is a 50/50 deal.

[@daveblueballz6659]

Mozart Mozart trav was already a multi millionaire from his business success

[@hiphopheaven]

Because he was popular in one business don't mean he would succeed in another business.

[@AllFormsElectronic]

@@chromellama721 you don't make it to the top being any other way man. Shrewd, calculated, efficient, all the while allowing room for a creative mindset.

[@MichaelAruba]

I love Tech N9ne and all his music and I know he works so goddamn hard but I gotta give serious props to Travis for what he has done with Strange Music. He has the business sense that helped make Strange Music what it is today. There are many incredible rappers out there who are killing it in the underground scene but can't make it big. Who knows? If not for Travis, Tech might still be another untapped talent.

[@JadedMoon63]

My kids are all about Strange Music. Each time I would ride with them, they have their music set. I fell in love with it. Ya I MAY BE in my 50's, my main love is Old School Classic Rock, but this set of music is kickin my ass. It keeps me level. I guess it goes to show, I raised my kids right. Single Mom doin it right they say :-)

[@randyh.7782]

Age is just a number my lady. You are awesome.

[@KEWB99]

In a world where so many people your age seem to be the types that would dismiss the label as "that crazy young folks' music," you were open-minded to it. You embraced your kids' choice in music, and ended up liking it yourself. Ma'am, I don't know you personally, but I can already tell you that you have my respect.

[@JunkBondTrader]

Haha I couldn't imagine my mom would have ever got into Stange Music. That's dope.

[@caryyoung7442]

Tech N9ne is the only famous person I want to meet. He's such a chill dude. Only person I might cry over meeting lol.. Not even a joke.

[@onlyhuman091]

i felt the same way, then i met him after a show up here in alaska of all places... i thought id be super nervous, since ive seen so much of the guy through his music and interviews, and how open he is about his life, it was like i already knew him and it was as comfortable as chillin with ur best friend...

[@hiphopheaven]

I don't want to meat any famous person,I only care about theirs art.

[@rachelgreen858]

Strange Music artists are the only ones I count the days until a new album drops. The rest might have decent singles, but Tech, Krizz, Kutt, Rittz, Ces Cru, have amazing albums. Love that TechN9ne finally hit the radio!

[@db3crashcoursecinema]

The RULER of STRANGE INDEPENDENT Madness!!!! STAND UP!!!

[@Aiquoy2]

Realest Words in the business right there.

[@jeffietemple9071]

I'm so happy and proud of you!!!

[@Aiquoy2]

I'm from SL,UT and I've been to the Salt-Air shows, on that Motorolla. An experience everytime, I tell you what. Even as I lined up to get my KC Tea DJ Chillest Illest was in line right next to me. I love that, there's no condescending air of superiority. Some of the most talented artists the world has seen yet they're humble and down to earth. That alone makes people enjoy you, with talent they'll give you the world. Keep on Keepin' on Tech.

[@PrezPoet]

Incredible.

[@dantevaldez3009]

I love techa n9nna and when I showed him to my lil brother he instantly fell in love with the lyrics and the beat and the same with me when my big brother showed me tech n9ne. Strange Music Saved my Life." Mom and Dad was a creature maker" I love that

[@stellistell7416]

Love strange music. They've been apart of my life for 17 yrs. Been seeing Tech shows for 16 yrs and still haven't missed a show.

[@FUCKTrumpandBiden2024]

Been listening to tech since 2001. Still listen to his music

[@NGentry5243]

Im sooo proud of him!!!! LOOOOOOOVE IT!!!!!

[@SmithyZ]

Tech N9ne YOU JUST WON SO MUSH RESPECT FROM ME!

[@BnTennis77]

STRANGE MUSIC! IT GOES UP!

[@grimdawg83]

Great Artist! I Been a fan since 2001. He worked hard to get where he is! Congrats! Strange Music!..... It Goes up! Great Show in SLO on Saturday!

[@t-royhoaks8373]

Tech N9ne has his own unique style and he owns it. This man has mad skills no doubt unlike any other artists out today and the past. 💯🤘💪✌🖒👍✊

[@jeremykurowski519]

I remember I bought Anghellic the first week it came out. 15 years later, he has arrived, in full effect. Really rare in the rap game to stick to your guns and not fake the funk FOR-15-YEARS. Tech n9ne forever. STRAAAAAAANGE MUSIC.

[@darkjb48]

+Jeremy Kurowski tech n9ne is legendary, in my opinion, he is the only rapper that gained momentum and talent over time. every single other rapper just slowly turns to shit until they disappear completely, your absolutely right

[@BIGDINUTAH]

Together we are a powerful force as one mind body and soul, let no evil enter nor attempt to reduce us because of the beliefs we hold, and with this love combined with our strength we ward off pain and stress technician i am wholeheartldly in life and in death...STRICTLY STRANGE!!

[@FWD360]

Independent hustle! Love the hustle.Salutes to Tech and Travis. Inspiring!

[@j.wolfman5221]

Seeing this makes me respect him even more. This is how you do it when you're an artist; you create your art, your product, and then you sell it. Period. That simple. Why even go with a (major) label these days? What could a major label possibly do for Tech N9ne? Sure, they could offer a larger marketing budget, more money for videos etc but then again they'd also take more of the profits, so I bet Tech wouldn't make any more money off that deal than he is now, most likely less.

[@ciscogomez2610]

tech n9ne and kottonmouth kings have a great history together

[@james77011]

Maaan!! Tech is amazing ❤

[@Myeraus12]

One of the most humble rappers/labels out there!

[@Maluson]

Tech9ne, one of the greatest of all time! Hands down! Great inspiration.

[@stockonboss]

Mad Respect!!!

[@tjmoulden95]

AMEN TO THAT!!!!!!!!!!

[@lillbrittz]

He's so beyond real lovin it Snake n Bat all day

[@kennykreegerjr709]

Amazing what ya ll did independently!!

[@silentstorm4592]

Man tech,you;ve set an example for mankind,and independently!,amazing *salute*,you most certainly earned it through your blood sweat and tears:)

[@Cmiro22544]

Im happy 4 him hes a deserving artist

[@JakeHunter2010]

Tech done came a long way. From nobody giving him a chance to living the dream. Congrats bro. Hard work pays. STRANNNNGGGGE!

[@p.y.o.pgroup249]

i respect the ideas you have

[@gbdmanagementgroup3898]

Extremely inspirational. Love the Strange Music mindset. It gets much better from here. Mark the words of GBDMG👑♥️🎱♦️💎♣️🎶♠️🃏🎲🎰♟🎬🎥

[@DaKoolDude]

Humble

[@codychapman3907]

Yo I'm a big fan and have been for a while. You ever start hiring for warehouse workers you should put out a hiring notice. I'd love to work for you guys!!!

[@BuffPsyduck]

I would love to watch an interview with Travis he is a very smart business man and a lot of people can learn from him.

[@ShawheenAzizi]

The best rapper to ever live. No one will ever make such history or deserve as much credit as this man does. He will be recognized by the world as the #1 and the rest will show their respect. It's only a matter of time. You cannot stop Tech N9ne or Strange Music. The fan base alone would run through walls. Show respect or fall into darkness.

[@ozzieh8245]

can't wait to see you in australia this march homie :)

[@Kambo777]

tech n9ne need to do a collab with or for travis o quin respect for the man behind most scenes big up and keep doing the strange thing love from amsterdam!

[@TheMusicbusinesspros]

That's INDIE POWER! We LOVE TECH N9NE, TRAVIS, VIOLET BROWN, RBC & the whole STRANGE Team! You INSPIRE us & give us ALL a TARGET to aspire to, lovin' what we do ALL the time! He was the FIRST Artist EVER to receive an IES HIP HOP HONORS at the INDIE ENTERTAINMENT SUMMIT in L.A. - THE place to be for TECH N9NE level knowledge, connects, networking & learning SUCCESS TECHNIQUES from over 100 LEADERS in the new & booming INDIE MUSIC, VIDEO & TECH Worlds! INDIEPOWER to the MAX!

[@nicoledxo]

proud to be one of those contributors to the 6.1 mil ... strange 4 life ! :)

[@TMNation]

respect

[@t-royhoaks8373]

WOW!!! they have a car lot of car's and tour buses that costs millions alone. 💯🤘💪✌

[@SeatownTilt]

Need some new Merch, saw some good shit in there! Not surprised Tech and SM are where they are, they all just fucking get it!

[@MrDizz09]

Straight Out The Gate

[@omegathirteen13]

STRANGE MUSIC

[@jaja1136]

In Utah!

[@brandonbruner1602]

Innovative at its best

[@confusionrulez1]

travis is a really cool dude hopefully everyone gets a chance to meet him some day haha

[@GOOB3000]

King

[@TheNNutthowse]

N9na!!!

[@r0nf0]

I can't believe that Tech N9ne is in a Forbes video. STRANGELAND IS SPREADING!!!

[@chinoyomaji288]

Wait a sec, what was that song he used the beginning clip in. He used that audio of him saying that in a song,but I listen to so much tech I cant remember what it was.

[@artchatec]

This is what it is really about! Self contained. crazy

[@matthuboggess3359]

Strange Music takin over baby! good shyt

[@MistahSlick1978]

tech nine got crazy crazy crazy following

[@CuriousGeorgeMusic]

Tech's got the realest fans out there because he's the realest out... plain and simple, mainstream has officially went Tech

[@coryneal3268]

Utah reppin

[@benbartholomew3394]

True and of all days ironically

[@samuelstarr6067]

damnit, tech slept on...

[@PabloSchred]

Straight Out The Gate - Tech ft. Serj Tankian.

[@dudewitacookie4002]

I love this little ,,documentary''' 'bout Tech and StMu, but why you just kind of cut one of his best flows at 4:43? I mean it is fire!!

[@SdeFilipa]

Come to POrtugal plese!!!!

[@jakecolyar5262]

Utah shout out! Whats good

[@Eichwiesel]

Best fuckin Label with best fuckin artists...Keep on for ever!

[@eddiebrock661]

that was pretty dope,holler back at the kid lets connect. let build! eddie brock

[@Pianomandanva]

Glasses r dope

[@Charmingphotography]

they are so fucking dope...

[@Anonymous-fk6tg]

One word we'll all remember. I'll die a tech fan until my grave yard day's as a die hard fan of techinina.

[@killuminati7733]

4:08 Hey we want tech to wear this small pause.. nah he ain't gonna wear that shit lmao

[@FlimsyoneOfficial]

what does the tittle of the first song played? On 0:19

[@runescaper213]

tech n9ne!

[@angelikabustillos5868]

All about that strange life!

[@DarrelKidd]

HE REFERS MAGNA UTAH!!!! SALT LAKE CITY BABY!!! YESS!!!

[@pyroeyes9584]

It would be amazing if teck and immortal technique could make a song

[@Klauz1337]

U call trav greedy because he is honest? They give alot of people awesome jobs, don't forget that.

[@hiphopheaven]

I don't undestand the hate. Tech N9ne wouldn't be Tech N9ne without Trav and Trav wouldn't be Trav without Tech N9ne.That's why the deal is a 50/50 deal.

[@blackparachute]

Sooooo many jobs

[@TheButtweed]

Utah, slc

[@Drewc0989]

Yeah his name is Travis

[@lagavulinmtg5120]

What glasses is he wearing at 1:36??

[@Ghoste616]

Damn, over $6 million in just merch. Tech & Trav got a fortune.

[@MrLucasTbo]

hahah, shit lol not bad Tech, you've came a long way ! keep it strange brotha!

[@itzSolezworld.C]

Yo yo hy wow

[@grallonson]

Shitttt I live in MAGNA. That's real as fuck.

[@TheRealJeremyGoddard]

Tech was rapping long before meeting Travis O'Guin. They partnered up before Absolute Power when JCOR screwed Tech over with Anghellic's first release. Tech really did start from the bottom.

[@jonathanwilder1195]

What was that song at 5:56

[@randyh.7782]

*Straight Out The Gate* by *Tech N9ne* featuring *Serj Tankian*. It's track #2 on his album *Something Else*.

[@RickeyRamsey1]

kansas city king

[@djspotakus]

When Forbes is interviewing you.... that's when you know.

[@jamicannathan]

what is the last song?

[@bradleybogert6482]

Straight out the gate

[@skateboard9066]

TECH N9NE IS KING

[@jaja1136]

I was at that show I'm .Z

[@kramasz]

How can I get that Tech N9ne Red Nose figurine?!

[@bradleybogert6482]

StrangeMusicInc.net

[@xReapZx6]

Whats the song at 5:58?

[@hangman9001]

Straight out the gate

[@rubenvelasquez4094]

Hell yeah salt lake Loves strange

[@willielee729]

Kc stand up

[@JamaicaDancehallTV]

never hear a ya

[@juanlennonsfunhouse2633]

Icp

[@ihpron]

What this also shows, is being with the right people and right investments, you can make it happen! Invest in yourself and have your friends invest in your vision, and believe in the process!

[@SoCalDude805]

Dang, he beat Rick Ross.