Review: Tech N9ne

Tech N9ne lost the ability to surprise long ago. Yet the shock of the new has been replaced by something far more substantial: Kansas City's reigning hip-hop star has developed into a durable, consistently excellent live performer.

His inspired concert at the Uptown Theater on Friday night was nothing short of triumphant. It was easily the best Tech N9ne show I have ever seen. Aided by superb sonic and lighting effects, Tech N9ne's wholly original approach entertained a capacity crowd of about 2,000.

Fan favorite "This Ring" showcased everything that makes Tech extraordinary: frenzied, auctioneer-style flow, brave lyrical content, creative choreography and startlingly unique sound. His eclectic fusion of hip-hop, metal and theater may keep Tech N9ne off commercial radio, but his fan base is so substantial that he's in the midst of a national tour of medium-sized venues. It's difficult to imagine another Kansas City-based artist pulling off a similar feat in 2008.

He doesn't go it alone. Big Krizz Kalico contributed manic crooning and Kutt Calhoun added substantial swagger to "Welcome To the Midwest," one of many Tech N9ne songs about his home town.

"I had a house in California but I moved back here last year," Tech N9ne told his adoring audience. "This is my comfort zone."

Tech N9ne's mastery of the stage was accentuated by his opening acts. While all were solid, none came close to matching Tech's seamless 80-minute presentation.

Paul Wall lived up to his reputation as "The People's Champ" in the Uptown's lobby. He greeted fans at his "Crunk Juice Booth"-- otherwise known as a merch table -- throughout the night. His performance on stage was less successful. The laconic hooks and genial personality that make his studio work so appealing were absent. Wall's live renditions of hits including "Still Tippin','" "Break 'Em Off," "Drive Slow" and "Grillz" were disappointingly unremarkable.

Brooklyn hip-hop veteran Ill Bill brought an abrasive East Coast texture to the line-up. His 25-minute appearance showcased classic old-school flavor, but much of the audience didn't care for the taste. A political song was met with stony silence -- an almost unthinkable occurrence among Tech N9ne's demonstrative fans.

Unlike Ill Bill, Kansas City's Skatterman & Snug Brim knew just what the audience wanted to hear. The tandem opened the night with rugged anthems like "Block Party," a tribute to "more whiskey, more weed."

When the hometown hero's set began at 10:20 p.m., much of the audience -- as one of Tech N9ne's songs puts it -- was no longer "Sotally Tober."

| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star