Published on August 19th, 2024 | by Just Jay

Tech N9ne Unveils New Single “The Punishment (Lockdown)” OUT NOW

Opening up like never before, chart-topping multiplatinum hip-hop legend and the most successful independent rapper of all-time Tech N9ne shares a revelatory new single entitled “The Punishment (Lockdown)” out today via Strange Music.

A thick bass-y bounce and organic percussion anchor the rhythm, while Tech paints a picture of a formative childhood memory. Turning back the clock to high school, he recounts a particular summer where every move seemed to land him in hot water with his folks. At the time, he didn’t realize getting “grounded” would be for his own good. Bringing listeners to the kitchen table, he steps into his stepfather’s shoes, “And if you keep sneaking out next summer you’ll be on punishment again.”

However, it all makes sense now, “But 17 I ran away, I didn’t understand the way he was prepping me to become the multimillionaire I am today, kept me safe, my family helped a lot, if I may highlight, I see now my stepdaddy all this time was pushing to save my life.”

With screenplay-worthy narration and dialogue, Tech asserts himself as a storyteller of the highest order on “The Punishment (Lockdown).”

It lands on the heels of “The Birth,” which has gathered over half-a-million streams and 330K YouTube views on the music video. In addition to looks by The Hype Magazine and more, HotNewHipHop applauded how “It has a fittingly nostalgic sound, which lines up well with the lyrical content.” StupidDope praised it as “offering fans a deeper glimpse into the rapper’s life.”

watch the music video HERE.

Everything just sets the stage for his next solo LP

Like the multi-headed musical hydra he is, Tech is flexing his elite lyricism in multiple lanes all at once. Last month, he unleashed the new Collabos full-length COSM (CLASS OF STRANGE MUSIC).

Tech continues to break boundaries without compromise. Heavy-metal trailblazers Falling In Reverse tapped him and Alex Terrible of Slaughter To Prevail for the explosive “Ronald.” Beyond stacking up 12 million-plus Spotify streams, Tech turned up on stage during Falling In Reverse’s headlining set at Welcome To Rockville in Jacksonville, FL in front of over 55,000 fans for the single’s live debut. He left the stage in flames by delivering his standout verse with vicious vitality. The song also crashed the Top 10 of both the Billboard Top 10 Alternative Songs Chart and Top Hot Rock Songs Chart in addition to capturing #2 on the Hard Rock Streaming Songs Chart. Not to mention, Revolver applauded “the diverse talent of rap rocker Tech N9ne,” and New Noise Magazine spoke to him in-depth at Welcome To Rockville, going on to praise, “His legendary presence with his rap rock metal mix and multifaceted style captivates his fans and colleagues everywhere he goes.”

Next up, Tech will hit the road with Falling In Reverse on The Popular Monstour II, rolling through arenas and amphitheaters coast-to-coast this summer.

Check out the full confirmed itinerary below.

MORE ABOUT TECH N9NE:

One of the most insane, influential, and impactful legacies in hip-hop belongs to TechN9ne. He has consistently accomplished the impossible from outside of the system. He’s bucked every trend, overturned all expectations, and not only built a culture, but a whole damn world with Strange Music. The craziest thing is how far he’s come since co-founding Strange Music back in 2000. The Kansas City, MO rapper has gone from packed Midwest underground shows to the annual Forbes “Cash Kings” list multiple times, the cover of XXL, the playlists of Sir Elton John and Dwayne Johnson, and national commercials for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Beyond tallying billions of streams and views, he has scored four platinum singles, three gold singles, and a gold album. He has notched 23 entries on the Billboard Top albums Chart and remains the record holder for “most Top 10 albums on the rap chart.” Not to mention, he cracked the Top 5 of the Billboard Top 200 four times. His collaborators have ranged from Eminem, The Doors, Lil Wayne, Tupac, Boyz II Men, T.I., MGK, Flatbush Zombies, and Gary Clark, Jr. to Slipknot, System of a Down, Deftones, and Logic. Mainstream went Tech when he ignited ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! Meanwhile, Complex mused upon “How Kendrick Lamar Became a Star With Help From Tech N9ne.” He has sold out hundreds of shows as part of a relentless schedule. Not to mention, he introduced his own craft beer Bou Lou—in partnership with Kansas City’s own Boulevard Brewery.