We can only speculate what this is for, but this picture surfaced over the weekend of some of our favorite midwest spitters in the booth together: Tech N9ne, CES Cru and Stevie Stone.

Doin things at chapman with @techn9ne @therealscenario and @steviestone09 instagr.am/p/VQclHiIPTv/

— Ces Cru (@cescru) February 3, 2013

Was this for Tech’s upcoming album? Only time will tell, but something’s going on…

• What do you think of a Tech N9ne, Stevie Stone and CES Cru collabo?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

When Technicians come to see Tech N9ne on August 24 at KC Crossroads, not only will they get the best that hip hop has to offer, they’ll also get some of the most tasty and creative food in Kansas City.

Crossroads KC at Grinders not only features an outdoor venue that holds about 5,000 people with a full bar and serving at least 130 different types of beer at any given time, it’s also one of the most popular restaurants in the heart of downtown. Featured on The Food Network and described as offering the best slice in Kansas City, Grinders has become a popular destination for a variety of people: from out-of-towners to beer lovers, from artists to lawyers, you could see anyone at the hip Kansas City restaurant.

The owner, Stretch, who is Philly raised and New York accustomed, came to Kansas City to study at the Art Institute in 1984. After earning his degree and moving to Virginia to receive his Masters, Stretch eventually came back to Kansas City with the prospect of developing the art district. The space that is now known as Grinders was originally used as a studio for his artwork and sculptures before homesickness hit him and he started to miss his New York style pizza and Philly cheese steaks. Praised as one of the best restaurants in the greater KC area, the beer selection and the originality of the menu items are what has made it famous.

Featured first is what brings people of all genders, races and social backgrounds together as one – beer.

The General Manager, Stephanie, is personally responsible for the beer selection. She makes sure to have such a wide variety available that some of the beers often served can’t be found anywhere else within a statewide radius.

The beer selection is top-notch and changes regularly. I sometimes take this for granted and go with old standbys, but there is always something unique to try. Often Grinders will be one of the only ones in the metro with a certain beer available.

The beer selection is out of this world.  It’s just enormous.  They have a separate menu just for their beers, which separates all of the brews by type, and lists them by name, alcohol content, and price.  It’s one of the only places in KC where you can get Delerium Tremens on tap!  If you can’t find a beer you like in this place, then you simply cannot find one anywhere.

Next, another universal equalizer, and possibly one of the greatest food inventions known to man – pizza.

One of their most famous pizzas, the Bengal Tiger, which claims on their website is “Inspired by the flavors of Northwest India. This pie starts with a rich green sauce topped with tandoori chicken, real crab meat, and the unique flavor of hearts of palm and cilantro.” One reviewer writes:

Moving from NY, I was devastated initially when the “best” pizzerias of KC just couldn’t hold their own. That was, until I had my first slice of the Bengal Tiger. It’s an explosion of deliciousness, cooked to perfection. When baked, the dough has a naan-like quality, complementing the spices and tandoori chicken perfectly.

Their second most popular pie is the Chili Bomb. If you don’t immediately want to sample this pizza just from the picture, you might be clinically insane.

The Food is phenomenal.  There are few bars in town that can’t even come close to the quality of the grub you will get here.  They have an awesome pizza selection, including their locally famous “Chili Bomb Pie” (for non-locals this is a pizza topped with every pork product known to man and the there is a hole cut out in the middle of the pizza and filled with a pile of piping hot tater tots, chili and cheese).  And if you don’t appreciate their specialty pizzas, you can build your own with a huge variety of topping possibilities.  You can even order by the slice!

And then, of course, the cheesesteaks. Stretch uses actual Cheez Whiz on his sandwiches, and while some might find that odd, anyone from Philly can tell you that’s how it’s done.

I knew this place was legit when they offered the Philly Cheese Steak with Cheez Whiz, which is how you get it in Philly. None of this provolone crap. The steak was great, the peppers & onions done to perfection.

Check out the Philly cheese steak. Awesome. Dripping with juices that are bad for you in the best way. Served with provolone, or cheese whiz, they take no time to prepare, and are delicious. You can get them with turkey, but if you’re eating here, your chief concern is not your health.

Finally, but certainly not the last or defining option on the menu, are the wings. Possibly one of Stretch’s favorite culinary creation as his motto is that “…it’s all about the sauce”, there are a few flavors to choose from. Sauces ranging from mild in spice to wings so hot they’re actually inedible, the hottest are called the Death Wings. If you check out the video below of HeatAddicts sampling the sauce, it’s almost literally a ten minute clip of a slow, painful death.

There are tons of menu items to choose from. Not to mention, obviously, the kick-ass show that will be taking place at Grinders. If you are prepared to eat, drink and party at a level that is neither safe nor reasonable, Grinders is absolutely where you want to be come August.

Also, if you can get past the blindingly bleached hair and general absurdity of Guy Fieri, check out Grinders feature on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives to see all the best menu items in great detail:

Click HERE to purchase VIP tickets for Crossroads KC at Grinders!

• Which one of these culinary masterpieces will you be trying first?

Let us know in the comments section below!

Tiger-land get ready as Tech N9ne brings his insane live show to the Blue Note in Columbia, Missouri on Thursday, October 11, 2012!

With fellow Strange Music artists Krizz Kaliko, CES Cru and the Columbia-born Stevie Stone, Tech N9ne will tear the roof off of one of Columbia’s greatest venues.

Don’t miss Strange Music turn Columbia into Strangeland!

Click here to get your tickets and VIP Experience Packages at strangevip.com!

This Saturday, July 21, grab your sunscreen and check out Tech N9ne at the Lake Of The Ozarks as he wrecks shop at H. Toad’s Entertainment Complex.

With special guests Krizz Kaliko, Stevie Stone and CES Cru, Tech N9ne will turn one of the go-to getaway spots in the midwest into the center of the livest show in hip hop. Come by car or by boat to what will undoubtedly be one of the hottest nights of the summer!

Click HERE for tickets and information.

“Up All Night With Stevie Stone” gave Strange Music fans a chance to hang out with the entire Strange Music crew as they celebrated the release of Stevie Stone’s Rollin’ Stone live on UStream.

With everyone from Prozak to Krizz Kaliko dropping in, Tech N9ne stopped by for one of the night’s most exciting appearances. Drinks in hand, Tech N9ne showed up ready to party and despite having just left the stage, the Kansas City King joined Stevie Stone for an impromptu performance of “808 Bendin”.

Making sure fans got a special night, Tech N9ne closed out the UStream with some unforgettable moments.

Highlights:

• Tech N9ne confirmed that a Strange Music Cypher would eventually happen
• KC Teas were passed around in celebration of Rollin’ Stone
• Several on-the-spot rhymes from tracks like “Unfair” and Stevie Stone’s “Dollar General”

WATCH

• What did you think of Tech’s appearance?
• Are you excited for news of a Strange Music Cypher?

Let us know in the comments section below!

The wait is over and Tech N9ne Presents Stevie Stone – Rollin’ Stone is finally here!

Featuring the smash hit “808 Bendin” featuring one of Tech N9ne’s most schizophrenic verses to date, Rollin’ Stone promises to be the trunk-rattling album you’ve been waiting for to keep you going through the summer. With guest appearances from Hopsin, Yelawolf, Kutt Calhoun, Krizz Kaliko, and hits such as “My Remedy” “Get Buck” and “Oneness”, Rollin’ Stone is a rare record that will never leave your rotation.

Click here to purchase Tech N9ne Presents Stevie Stone – Rollin’ Stone.

The strangers are out in full force for Stevie Stone’s “Perfect Stranger” music video from Rollin’ Stone.

Shot at an undisclosed location, “Perfect Stranger” drops all of the glitz and gets downright gritty with Stevie Stone as he pays a little homage to the label and community of fans that have given him a home.

The brand new music video even features a cameo from the #1 stranger, Tech N9ne, as he breaks out a few of his signature pop- and-lock moves in the background.

With the general at his side, Stevie Stone stands proud in “Perfect Stranger”.

WATCH

Click here to pre-order Tech N9ne Presents Stevie Stone – Rollin’ Stone.

• What did you think of the new music video?

Let us know in the comments section below!

Fans aren’t the only ones eager to get a hold of Stevie Stone’s Strange Music debut, Tech N9ne Presents Stevie Stone – Rollin’ Stone. In a recent interview with Necessary Exposure, Tech N9ne shared his excitement and expectations as he gave a huge endorsement for the new release.

Speaking from the Minneapolis stop on the Hostile Takeover 2012 Tour, Tech N9ne sat down for a brand new video interview. The Kansas City King discussed the success and growth of the massive tour. Tech also went on to talk about Strange Music releases in 2012, including Stevie Stone’s Rollin’ Stone and the next Tech N9ne solo album.

With Rollin’ Stone on deck, even Tech can’t hide his anticipation for the album that has already created a buzz with the smasher, “808 Bendin”.

Click here to watch or scroll down below.

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER TECH N9NE PRESENTS STEVIE STONE – ROLLIN’ STONE.

• Are you as excited as Tech is for Rollin’ Stone?
• Have you pre-ordered the album yet?

Let us know in the comments section below!

When you think you’ve heard it all, Tech N9ne drops a verse on Stevie Stone’s trunk-rattling anthem “808 Bendin” and switches up styles more times than some rappers do in their entire career.

We got a chance to talk to Tech N9ne and have him break down his mind-bending verse from Stevie’s upcoming album Tech N9ne Presents Stevie Stone – Rollin’ Stone.

“808 Bendin” dropped on XXL and it seems like this is a completely new and urban lane for Strange Music.

I can’t believe it finally dropped, it’s so wonderful. I’ve been wanting to get people’s feedback on my verse for “808 Bendin”. To really enjoy my verse you have to be a movie buff from back in the day and you watch TV, because I started it off with a rap that I got from Lethal Weapon. When Danny Glover invited Mel Gibson over to his house for the first time to eat dinner with his family and he was sitting at the table and the little black boy started beatboxing and the youngest daughter said “My name name is Sharon, I’m no fair and, my sister’s starin, she’s in love, with a guy named Martin.” (Laughs) Because Rhianne was the oldest sister and she really liked Mel Gibson. So I got on there and I said “My name is Aaron, I’m no fair and, your sister’s starin’…she’s in love”. It was just so beautiful. People don’t know what it’s going to be and they’re like “What the hell is that? It doesn’t even rhyme! It’s SIMPLE! It don’t sound like Tech!” That’s schizophrenic at its best.

And then in the middle of it I go “You know I can’t sing without a guitar string!” That’s from old ass Tom and Jerry. Jerry’s [uncle] is a mouse, he’s like a cowboy and he’s singing “Cuh, cuh, cuh, cuh CRAMBONE!”  and everytime he played his guitar a string would pop – “Bing!” – and he’d say “Tom! You know I can’t sing without a guitar string!” and he would go pull a whisker from Tom and put it in the guitar and start playing again. So in the middle of me busting “Ah ha ha ha, me and my strangers drinking lots of vodka, that’s the ca ca. You know I can’t sing without a guitar string!” Out of nowhere then it just goes back into the rhyme “Rollin around town bumpin Lil Wayne…” It’s just wow, it’s so beautiful if you just analyze it. I’m talking about my cologne “You know you smell Hugh Parsons!” It’s just so schizophrenic. I love “808 Bendin”. I can’t wait to see what people think because I adore it. Everything I do is in one verse.

You just added three or four layers of shit that I didn’t even think about.

Tech N9ne has been doing it for so many years. It makes so much sense. That’s why when people say “Tech N9ne, uh…he just raps about the same shit over and over.” Bullshit nigga. I have so many topics and everything. Who the fuck talks about food? Food and makes it dope. The song I did with Prozak and Lynch that I did on Welcome To Strangeland, you know what I’m saying? I try to write everything and this is just a clusterfuck of things in a verse that I just adore and Stevie Stone’s voice and delivery is just so fucking infectious. The fact that he wanted me on this song, I was just like “Thank you for putting me on this kind of shit.” The same with “Scorpio” with E-40 “Thank you for putting me on this type of shit” because I love doing that other shit and “808 Bendin”…Stevie Stone knows how to choose his beats, “808 Bendin” is knockin’! They put me on this big-ass song – I think that shit’s going to spread everywhere man. It’s so infectious.

We’ve never heard a song come from Strange that sounds like it could be a huge urban hit like this one.

I know dude, I know! This Stone album is full of that type of shit.

It carves out another lane for Strange. You’re seeing your label expand and reach all these different kinds of lanes.

“Badlands” – ¡MAYDAY!, come on man. I’m going places with my artists and my artists are fucking elite. CES Cru, come on man! Stevie Stone, come on man. Krizz Kaliko! Look at the shit I just did with my artists! Look at the shit I just did on Prozak’s “Enemy” and “One of these Days”. Look what I’m doing with my artists! I’m so there with them doing really wonderful shit. It’s so beautiful to have such wonderful artists and to be a part of all of their projects. It’s a new Tech. It’s so beautiful. I’m just so proud of all the music I’ve been doing.

You’re in a seat where you can dip your hand in some club banger shit with Stone, some real original hip hop shit with CES. It just must feel cool to be in your position this year.

It’s an emotional rollercoaster. How are you going to do “808 Bendin” and then next week they need you to do “Hello Walls”? It’s like “Wait, I can’t do ‘Hello Walls’ right now. I don’t really want to go into that hole.” “Hello Walls” pulls out what’s wrong with you right now besides you trying to be happy as fuck. When you’re on “808 Bendin” and happy as fuck and just going “Lots of Vodka! That’s the caca!” You know and that’s the shit! That’s the caca! You know what I’m saying? It’s so beautiful! And then you have to go do “Hello Walls”. You have to wait on that one like “Oh my God, here we go. Okay here we go: ‘Layin in this bed right here…’” Nigga my gun is right there, my meds for my ribs is right next to me when I’m writing in my bed. I hate writing in my room because all the negative shit is right to the left of me, but I stay with two sports nuts. Makzilla and Isiah, my uncle. Those niggas stay on sports and fucking cartoons twenty-four-seven, downstairs while I write…in front of my TV! I don’t know why they don’t like their TVs in their rooms. Maybe it’s more comfortable down there so I’m like “Fuck! I gotta go upstairs and write this! These niggas are down into their sports.” I wrote it right there in my bed, right next to my negative things that I think about fucked up things that are happening around me. It’s hard to be on that emotional rollercoaster but I am, and I display it when you listen to “Badlands”, I display it when you listen to “808 Bendin”, I display it when you listen to “Hello Walls”. When you listen to everything – when you listen to “Enemy” or “One of These Days”. I am an emotional roller coaster mixed with good music.

Are you excited for the potential that is on Stevie’s record to really smash on radio?

I think in the urban world, I’ve got high hopes for Stevie to really open that lane. Travis says we’ve been talking to other people and getting people on the team to work this album and I’m so excited because Stevie is a star. I took him, Frizz, and PCaso to dinner. I was like “What y’all doing?” and I was like “Let’s go eat, on me man.” I took them to PF Chang’s. I wanted to say to him “Man, anything you ever desire, I see that in your future.” I didn’t want to jinx him. I said “Stevie, I was going to say something to you but I don’t want to jinx you. But when I look at him, man and I see his style and how he delivers and how talented he is…he’s one of us man but he’s just one of us from a different place. Wherever he grew up gave him this special thing to make that hard ass urban party music and that heartfelt urban music. He just has this thing about him that is super-exciting. When I look at Kaliko he’s just this big thing that could be on the same bill as Black Eyed Peas. He’s that genius to me. His shit is just beyond everybody, I look at Kaliko totally different than I look at Stevie Stone. They have different things that make them genius and I just can’t wait to see where Stevie’s genius take him. You already see where Kali’s is taking him. He’s up on iTunes and people are really paying attention now. It’s so wonderful.

- Interview conducted by Jeff Nelson, Blog Editor (@JeffreyPNelson)

Click here to pre-order Tech N9ne Presents Stevie Stone – Rollin’ Stone.

LISTEN

Tech N9ne recently went on Twitter and dropped this verbal explanation his verse for “808 Bendin”

• What did you think of Tech N9ne’s verse on “808 Bendin”?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

Directed by Liquid 9′s Dan Gedman, the music video has all the glitz you would want for a club banger. Featuring cameos by ¡MAYDAY! (especially NonMS), this music video is the perfect way to get the summer cooking.

WATCH

Click here to pre-order Tech N9ne Presents Stevie Stone – Rollin’ Stone.

• What did you think of the music video?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!