Four decades after Aaron Dontez Yates first touched a mic and 24 albums into an unfathomable career that’s redefined independent hip hop, Tech N9ne has dropped album #25 as of today. His latest project for Strange Music, 5816 Forest is a 22-track journey that takes fans straight back to where it all began: chronicling the years Tech spent living in a lime green house on Forest Avenue in his hometown of Kansas City.
Built around memories from ages 12 to 17, this album is both raw and revelation.
5816 Forest details Tech’s life before the fame, during his fundamental years existing as a byproduct of his environment: hustling, gang-banging, and hooked to a chaotic lifestyle. On his track “The Punishment (Lockdown)”, Tech revisits a life-changing summer, when being grounded by his stepfather felt like a slow crawl through concrete. With time and distance, however, he was able to recognize discipline — just when he was about to lose it all. “J6’s” throws listeners into another pivotal moment in his adolescence, when he chose the stage over a cap and gown performing at Kemper Arena instead of walking at his high school graduation.
The heart of the album is “This I Know” — a track featuring Kevin “Church Johnson”. Tech N9ne raps about the moment he finally left 5816 Forest behind. The production is emotional and soulful, allowing Tech to deliver one of the most heartfelt performances I’ve ever heard.
On “Yoda”, featuring Lil Wayne, the two lyrical geniuses flip the English language inside out by reverse rhyming in a way that only the Jedi master would understand. Think of Tech’s extremely fast rapping while channeling his inner ‘rap fast, you must’ lingo.
Now that’s wizardry — and talent.
My personal favorite is track #2, “The Birth (Remix)”. Tech’s flow and beat selection on this song instantly take me back to his early 2000s era… albums like Everready, Anghellic, Absolute Power, and Killer — just to name a few. His chopper flow paired with eerie-yet-danceable melodies is exactly what pulled me into Tech N9ne’s music as a teen, and it’s what pulls me to this track now.
Across the album, Tech N9ne reminds us how he’s been able to rack up billions of streams, a number of RIAA gold and platinum plaques, and a four-time Top 5 debut artist on the Billboard 200. He continues to collaborate across genres, from hip hop heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar to metal bands like Falling In Reverse and pop culture figures like Dwayne Johnson. Media outlets — from Variety to Entertainment Weekly — have spotlighted his rise and glory and his presence on NPR’s Tiny Desk and Jimmy Kimmel Live! exhibits how he’s as relevant as ever.
This album is definitely an 8.5/10 for me due to his on-point narratives and not missing a beat with his fast-paced bars. I’d rate it higher, but can’t disrespect the albums of his I banged to death during my formative years. 5816 Forest is a deeply personal, skillfully executed reflection from an artist still hungry to tell his story, one able to innovate even 25 albums in.
Tech N9ne – “This I Know” feat. Kevin “Church” Johnson
Track listing:
- Donne Call (Skit)
- The Birth (Remix)
- Fridee Da Sundee (Triality)
- Yoda, feat. Lil WAyne
- Ball
- Alyia Call (Skit)
- RDV
- Lola
- Black Walt Street (The New Breed)
- Excited
- The Nice One
- The Punishment (Lockdown) (Remix)
- What I Do
- Reign Call (Skit)
- No Rub
- Fish Captain
- Sacrifice, feat. Jehry Robinson
- Bella Call (Skit)
- Livin In The Sky
- Call With 2 Yr-Old Alina (Skit)
- This I Know, feat. Kevin “Church” Johnson
- J6’s
Stream ‘5816 Forest’ on Spotify:
Cover photography by Darryl Woods
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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