Out of the Midwest, Tech N9ne broke all of the rules, subverted expectations, dumbfounded the system, and set a precedent for hip-hop and independent music often imitated (but never duplicated) by generations to follow. At the helm of his own Strange Music proudly based in Kansas City, MO since 2000, he has personally notched four platinum singles, eleven gold singles, and two gold albums. As a whole, the Strange Music catalog also houses 23 RIAA gold and platinum records. The company’s Kansas City headquarters consists of six buildings: Strange Music (label offices), Strangeland (recording studios, soundstage), Strange World (merchandise manufacturing plant), Strange Box (vehicles), Strange Carwash, and Strange Works (construction company). Representing the underground, Tech is practically “a regular” on the Forbes “Cash Kings” list. Beyond gracing the cover of XXL and the stage of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he wound up on the playlist of none other than Sir Elton John and performing to 1 million-plus at the parade for the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory. He’s the only artist (on this planet) who has collaborated with Eminem, Tupac, Lil Wayne, and Kendrick Lamar as well as The Doors, Slipknot, System of a Down, Deftones, Jelly Roll, and MGK. He holds down the record for “most Top 10 albums on the Billboard Rap Chart” and staked a spot in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200 four times. On top of a thriving self-sufficient merchandising empire, he notably joined forces with Kansas City’s own Boulevard Brewery for his craft beer Bou Lou. After three decades in the game, the rapper landed “the biggest hit of his career” with 2021’s “Face Off” featuring Joey Cool, King Iso, and none other than megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. In unprecedented fashion, he ignited TikTok, generated a quarter-of-a-billion streams, and incited a frenzy from Variety, People, TMZ, NY Post, Today, and Entertainment Weekly. Tech N9ne continued his journey in 2023 with the acclaimed BLISS and more to come.

X-Raided was born in Sacramento, California, where he wrote his classic debut album Psycho Active at 16 years old. He was arrested and charged with gang-related homicide just months later. He made history as the first rapper to have his lyrics used against him during a controversial trial. He was sentenced to 31 years to Life, yet continued to release music from behind bars including X-orcist and The Unforgiven, Vol. 1, both of which hit Billboard. After changes to California laws, X was found suitable for parole and freed having served 26 years in prison. He hit the ground running, recording music and filming videos - garnering over 1.9 million views for California Dreamin. He then ignited Still Right Here from ASIN9NE by Tech N9ne, in addition to appearing on tracks by King Iso, C-Mob and Kurupt, while simultaneously emerging as an advocate for reform. While on stage at Red Rocks in front of a crowd of 10,000, it was announced that he had inked a deal with Strange Music Inc., creating a fitting new beginning for a man whose life story was already legendary. He then crafted his magnum opus, A Prayer In Hell; a triumphant tale of personal rebirth with universal implications. “It documents a process of development,” he reveals. “I had to unlearn so much in order to learn how to have a healthier life.” In the end, X-Raided’s prayer is universal: “Whatever difficulty you’re experiencing, I want you to know you can survive. If I can do it, so can you.”