In a revealing episode of What’s The Headline, Tech N9ne joins Ambrosia For Heads and its Editor-In-Chief Jake Paine for an intimate conversation about the life experiences that shaped his latest album, 5816 Forest. The project traces Tech’s personal and musical origin story during the formative years between ages 13 and 17, a period that defined both his sound and his mindset as an independent artist.

Tech reflects on growing up in a racially diverse Kansas City neighborhood and how those early experiences sharpened his perspective and lyrical voice. He recounts a pivotal moment as a teenager when he won a contest to open for EPMD and had to choose between performing on that stage or attending his own high school graduation. That decision, he explains, was one of the first times he fully bet on himself and his Rap dreams.

The conversation also explores how 5816 Forest unlocked a new creative portal for Tech. Working closely with producer JPZ, he revisited the emotional and environmental influences that shaped his earliest music. Rather than looking back nostalgically, the album uses those memories as raw material for new artistic growth.

Tech also shares stories from across his career, including how his unconventional “Yoda-like” flow caught the attention of Lil Wayne, leading to a memorable collaboration. He discusses balancing his Midwest roots with massive independent success, and why staying connected to Kansas City continues to ground him creatively—even as the city experiences a sports and cultural renaissance.

Throughout the discussion, Tech N9ne’s journey underscores a core theme: independence is not just a business model, but a mindset formed through difficult choices, cultural awareness, and relentless belief in one’s path.