Hip-hop fans in Nashville are about to get a rare double feature.
Bay Area legend E-40 and independent rap icon Tech N9ne are hitting the road together for the first time in more than a decade. Their “The Strange Wid’ It Tour” is making a stop at Marathon Music Works on May 19, and it sounds like the show is going to be packed with energy, throwback hits, and plenty of fast-paced bars.
For longtime rap fans, this pairing feels huge. These are two artists who built loyal fanbases without following the usual music industry playbook.
E-40 Says The Tour Feels Like A Comeback
E-40 told The Tennessean that this tour is more than just another run of shows. He sees it as a chance to reconnect with cities that supported him over the years — and maybe introduce himself to a new generation too.
And honestly, that makes sense.
The rapper has been making music since the late 1980s. That’s nearly four decades of albums, collaborations, slang inventions, and unforgettable hooks. A lot of artists fade away after a few years. E-40 somehow kept evolving while staying completely recognizable.
That signature voice? Still there.
The rapid-fire delivery? Still there too.
And fans can apparently expect all sides of E-40 during the show. He said audiences will hear everything from his mob music style to hyphy records and G-funk-inspired tracks.
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What makes this tour especially interesting is how different the two rappers are.
Yes, both rap fast. But that’s kind of where the similarities end.
Tech N9ne’s music pulls from rock, metal, orchestral sounds, and hardcore rap all at once. His performances are known for being intense and unpredictable. E-40 even joked that fans are getting “the best of both worlds” by seeing them together.
If you’ve never seen Tech N9ne live before, prepare yourself a little. His crowd energy is on another level.
The Tour Also Celebrates A Major Album Anniversary
The tour lines up with the 20th anniversary of E-40’s platinum album My Ghetto Report Card.
That album helped push him into mainstream success thanks to tracks like “Tell Me When To Go.” Even people who weren’t deep into West Coast rap probably remember hearing it somewhere.
Twenty years later, E-40 is still touring nationally and releasing new music. He also revealed that another album, Rule of Thumb: Rule 2, is on the way.
Not bad for someone who started his career selling independent records out of car trunks.
Two Independent Music Pioneers Sharing One Stage
One of the coolest parts of this story is how proud both artists are of staying independent.
E-40 built Sick Wid It Records from the ground up. Tech N9ne co-founded Strange Music, which became one of the biggest independent hip-hop labels in the world.
That’s not easy to do in any era of music.
Most artists eventually sign away creative control somewhere along the line. These two turned independence into an empire instead.
E-40 called both of them “self-made millionaires” who built their careers without handouts.
And honestly? That’s probably part of why fans still ride so hard for them.
Nashville Fans Can Expect A Full-Catalog Show
If you’re heading to Marathon Music Works, don’t expect a short nostalgia set.
E-40 said the Nashville crowd will hear classics, deeper cuts, and newer music all mixed together.
He also mentioned that Tennessee has always supported his music, especially Memphis and Nashville.
That connection between Southern hip-hop fans and West Coast rap has been around for years. E-40 even pointed out collaborations he’s done with Southern artists throughout his career.
So the Nashville stop could end up being one of the louder crowds on the tour.
And with King Iso joining as a special guest, there’s a good chance the energy inside Marathon Music Works is going to stay high from start to finish.
