It’s been almost a year since Slumerican rep Rittz stepped out in front of Kansas City to get chained-up by the general himself, Tech N9ne.

Since getting the official seal of the Snake and Bat, Rittz has embarked on two nationwide tours and after years on the grind, finally released his national debut album with The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant. Earning a top 200 Billboard debut, the album made one thing clear: Jonny Valiant has arrived.

With all of the buzz surrounding White Jesus, we caught up with Tech N9ne for a quick word as he laid down some knowledge about his latest addition to Strangeland.

Give me the Tech N9ne review of The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant.

It’s beautiful to hear Strange through the whole album because he is Strange. Way before he even signed to Strange. I think the fans – I don’t think, I know the fans are loving it. Not just because “Say No More” is a killer, but also “My Interview” is the shit. The one with Big K.R.I.T. (hums “Wastin’ Time”). It’s beautiful. It reminds me of being in Atlanta and rolling in that car on the artwork, at night and blowin’ on a blunt. That’s what the album feels like to me. It’s wonderful.

It seems like “Switch Lanes” really has the potential to break Rittz and Strange Music to radio.

Yeah. I’m anxious to see what the radio will do for us. I don’t see it because I’m out here, but when I get home I’ll see the spins and shit, but I have no idea who’s playing it right now. I know radio is responding per Travis. I expect it to be a big hit. We’ve always had artists on the radio, but we ain’t never had one played on the radio constantly with a hit.

But if we’re talking about, does it sound like something that can really go? Yes, it does.

We’re almost at that one-year mark since Rittz was signed. What’s it been like to watch him develop?

He was already developed before he signed to us. I’ve seen his shows in Nashville and KC. He was already developed and Strange-bound. The fans knew his style was Strange all day – that rapid style, so he fits in perfectly. They’re taking to him wonderfully out here. He’s already developed, you know? He’s doing the same thing and it’s beautiful. He didn’t have to change nothing, add nothing, or take nothing away.

He was already blossomed before he signed to us.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JONNY VALIANT!

• Do you agree with Tech’s comments on Rittz?
• Will “Switch Lanes” bring Strange Music a smash radio hit?

Drop your opinion below! 

You should know by now that Tech doesn’t sign anybody to Strange Music that he’s not a fan of.

Case in point: Rittz.

Just in time for The Life and Times Of Jonny Valiant, Tech N9ne talks about Rittz in this interview with Bootleg Kev, praising the Atlanta emcee and even going straight into the chorus of Rittz’s “Sleep At Night.”

On top of that, Tech N9ne breaks down the influence that Strange Music has been having on artists like ScHoolboy Q, A$AP Rocky, and Danny Brown. He also tells the story of how he got familiar with CES Cru, which led to their signing to Strange Music, which resulted in the instant classic Constant Energy Struggles.

WATCH

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JONNY VALIANT

• What was your favorite part of this interview?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Tech N9ne supplied the best live show in hip hop for the independent hip hop festival of the year: Paid Dues Festival 2013.

The high-flying duo CES Cru also  got a chance to shine on stage and show those in attendance why people are calling them the future of Strange Music.

Much to be expected from a gathering of hip hop’s finest, a lot of the action occurred behind the scenes and off the stage.

Check out some of the photos from the monumental event.

MAKE SURE YOU CATCH TECH N9NE, KRIZZ KALIKO, BROTHA LYNCH HUNG, KUTT CALHOUN, RITTZ AND CES CRU AT THE INDEPENDENT POWERHOUSE TOUR 2013.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND VIP PASSES

After weeks of anticipation, Strange Music’s general, Tech N9ne, joins Rittz for a visual massacre on the “Bloody Murdah (Remix)”.

Following its release as a single earlier this year, the “Bloody Murdah (Remix)” gets the video treatment with Rittz and Tech trading a ballistic delivery of flows over the DJA-produced track.  Black and white is the color scheme with a bloody trail to match as Rittz and Tech N9ne prove that even minimal settings can be explosive.

White Jesus and the N9ne – it’s bout ta be a bloody murdah!

WATCH

• What did you think of the brand new music video?

Let us know in the comments section below!

It wasn’t quite a bloodbath, but things definitely got murderous when Tech N9ne joined Rittz on the set of the official “Bloody Murdah” music video.

Leading up to his Gift Of Rap 2012 benefit show, Tech N9ne linked up with Rittz in Kansas City to shoot visuals for their most recent collaboration, “Bloody Murdah”,originally found (sans Tech) on Rittz’s White Jesus mixtape.

Photos from the shoot made their way online and reveal a little bit of what fans can expect when White Jesus and the Kansas City King collide.

Stay tuned for more on the “Bloody Murdah” music video and check out the exclusive photos below!

• What did you think of Tech’s feature on “Bloody Murdah”?

Let us know in the comments section below!

Hip hop is about to do it big in Atlanta thanks to the recently announced massive line up for the 2012 A3C Hip Hop Festival.

It all goes down on October 11-13 in Atlanta, GA as the A3C Hip Hop Festival returns stronger than ever with a line up that boasts performances from Tech N9ne, Rittz, Hopsin, Raekwon, Twista, GZA, Freeway, and a special appearance from Yelawolf.

Along with live performances the festival will also include competitions for emcees, DJs, and break dancers along with a film festival, guest panels, and after parties.

With Tech N9ne and Rittz reppin’ the Snake and Bat during the DJ Booth x SupaHotBeats showcase, this is one weekend hip hop heads won’t want to miss!

Click here for the full announcement.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION.

• Will you be hitting this event?

Let us know in the comments section below!

First Rittz hit us with the visual, now comes the clean audio.

In celebration of his signing with Strange Music, Rittz recently hit the lab for a revamp of Tech N9ne’ s 1997 cut, “Questions”. The track represented the first time Rittz ever heard Tech N9ne due to its placement on the Gang Related Soundtrack.

With a nod to the Kansas City King and a gift to Strangeland, Rittz pondered his own set of questions over QD3′s production for a brand new remix that fans from any era can appreciate.

Listen as Rittz leaves his mark on a Tech classic.

Click here to listen and download on DJBooth.net

• What did you think of the new remix?

Let us know in the comments section below!

Everyone remembers the first time they ever heard Tech N9ne and in Rittz’s case, that moment came on the Gang Related Soundtrack with the popular track, “Questions”. The soundtrack gave the Kansas City King national exposure in 1997 and as a result, many of his fans can relate to the connection Rittz has with the vintage cut.

What better way then to commemorate his signing to Strange Music than for Rittz to jump in the booth and update “Questions” with a 2012 remix?

Watch as Rittz dishes out some brand new bars over the QD3 production and gets the thumbs-up approval from Tech himself.

This is how you introduce yourself to Strangeland.

WATCH

• What did you think of the remix?
• Do you remember the first time you heard “Questions”?

Like so many other dope moments in life, everyone can recall the first time they ever heard Tech N9ne.

Whether it was in his native Kansas City with hits like “Mitchell Bade” or on a grander scale in 2011 with singles like “He’s A Mental Giant”, Tech N9ne’s music has traveled far and wide and caught the attention of listeners everywhere.

Looking to give fans a flashback moment, we asked Tech N9ne listeners to remember back to the very first song they ever heard from the Kansas City King.

Among the mass of replies from fans, Strange Music’s latest addition, Rittz chimed in with his own and hinted at something special this week:

So, @strangemusicinc just asked what was the 1st track you ever heard @techn9ne on.I’ll give y’all my answer Thursday….. #Staytuned

— Rittz (@therealRITTZ) September 4, 2012

Already busy with a new music video and tour, what could Rittz have in store for Tech N9ne fans?

Stay tuned for more!

When was the first time your heard Tech N9ne? Share your answer with us below!