Tech N9ne Collabos

Tech N9ne, the Kansas City rapper who founded and leads Strange Music, issued his opening Tech N9ne Collabos project in 2007. His sixth studio album overall, Misery Loves Kompany inaugurated a lucrative run of ensemble records that drew both rising talents and established names across styles. The set assembled a wide array of contributors, among them recurring partners Krizz Kaliko, Yukmouth, and Kutt Calhoun, and entered the upper half of the Billboard 200.

Sickology 101 arrived in 2009 and brought Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's Krayzie Bone, Chino XL, and Big Scoob into the lineup, landing near the Top 20. After a pair of darker solo releases, Tech presented the third Collabos album, The Gates Mixed Plate. Krizz, Kutt, Yukmouth, and the usual circle returned, joined by new voices including Devin the Dude, Jay Rock, and 816 Boyz. The album opened at number 13, topped the Independent Albums chart, reached fifth on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and produced the summer single "O.G."

Two albums and one mixtape preceded 2011's Welcome to Strangeland, another Top 30 entry that spotlighted the label's roster. Two further albums and three EPs followed before the fifth Collabos album, which marked the longest gap between installments, surfaced in 2014. Strangeulation gathered the entire Strange roster—now featuring new addition Murs—plus rock figures Serj Tankian of System of a Down and John 5, associated with Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. The strongest performer in the series, it debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and led the R&B/hip-hop, rap, and independent charts. A 2015 sequel, Tech's second release that year, again showcased the full Strange collective.

After the 2016 solo album The Storm, Tech returned with the seventh Collabos album, Dominion, in spring 2017. Months later another installment appeared: Strange Reign, featuring JL, Jay Trilogy, Rittz, Big Scoob, Murs, Krizz Kaliko, MAYDAY!, CES Cru, and additional guests.