Am I a Psycho?

"Am I a Psycho?"
Single by Tech N9ne featuring Hopsin and B.o.B
from the album All 6's and 7's
Released	January 22, 2012
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2011
Genre	Horrorcore[1]
Length	3:28
Label	Strange Music
Writer(s)	Aaron Dontez Yates, Marcus Hopson, Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr.
Producer(s)	B.o.B
Tech N9ne singles chronology
"The Noose" (2011) "Am I a Psycho?"(2012) "Badlands" (2012)
Hopsin singles chronology "How You Like Me Now?" (2011) "Am I a Psycho?" (2012) "Hop Madness" (2012) B.o.B singles chronology "Play the Guitar" (2011) "Am I a Psycho?" (2012) "So Good" (2012) Music video "Am I A Psycho?" on YouTube

"Am I a Psycho?" is a song by Midwest rapper Tech N9ne, from his 11th studio album All 6's and 7's which features rappers Hopsin and B.o.B. In the song, each rapper says a verse that's based on the concept of insanity.

Background

History

Tech N9ne was supposed to be featured on B.o.B's mixtape; B.o.B wanted to do a song with Tech for his mixtape, "No Genres", but was unable to get hold of him. Eventually the two did meet and B.o.B gave Tech a beat, which would end up being used for the song.^[2] Hopsin, who was featured on the record, claims that he feels this song was his mainstream debut.^[3] B.o.B was the first to record his verse, after he finished, Tech N9ne sent the track over to Hopsin, who recorded his verse afterwards.^[4]

Lyrics & Composition

Each rapper has a different lyrical topic based on the song's main concept, insanity. Tech N9ne's verse revolves around a BDSM fantasy, caused by confusion thinking that a regular woman's a hooker. Hopsin's verse is more aimed towards insanity, claiming that Heaven is to blame if he goes to Hell. He also mentions the likelihood of becoming a successful rapper standing against so many other people. He closes his verse by claiming that he has no remorse for his self-injuries. B.o.B's verse follows. It has been assumed that the verse is a response to OFWGKTA frontman Tyler, The Creator, who dissed B.o.B in his song "Yonkers", after the former's previous diss "No Future" got praise from Tyler.^[5] However B.o.B claims that he has no interest in feuding with Tyler saying "the whole beef thing is kinda lame".^[6]

Music Video

Plot & Development

While performing on the Lost Cities Tour, Tech N9ne announced at a concert that B.o.B, Hopsin, and himself would be shooting a music video for the song on November 29, 2011^[7] The video was shot in Atlanta, which is where B.o.B is from. The music video premiered on MTV2's "Sucker Free Sunday" on January 22. Tech N9ne encouraged all of his fans to tune in to "be participating in the shift Strange Music has been thriving for since it began".^[8] Based on traditional slasher films, the music video depicts two people tied together, Tech N9ne, dressed as Michael Myers, scares them while performing his verse. Hopsin then walks to the house with a chainsaw, dressed as Jason Voorhees. After arriving at the house, he assists Tech in scaring the two people. Meanwhile, B.o.B, dressed as Norman Bates, is seen throughout the video freaking out in a room. When his verse starts, he proceeds down the stairs and watches as Hopsin and Tech N9ne scare the people. During the chorus, Tech N9ne can be seen standing outside the house without his mask on.

Reception

The music video received a lot of attention from networks, often being called a horror movie-music video hybrid.^[9] David Greenwald of MTV called it a "sequel" to "Martians vs. Goblins", another popular horror-influenced music video at the time.^[10]

References

1. "10 Horrorcore Tracks For Halloween". hotnewhiphop.com.
2. "Interview: Tech N9ne". Prefix Magazine. June 13, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
3. "Hopsin Speaks on Tech N9ne and "Am I a Psycho"". blog.therealtechn9ne.com. August 12, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
4. "Hopsin Interview". Killer Hip Hop. January 17, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
5. "B.o.B vs. Odd Future". Flavourwire. March 25, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
6. "A Stoned B.o.B Talks Tyler, The Creator". GQ. March 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
7. "Tech N9ne Confirms 'Am I A Psycho?' Music Video [Video] | Tech N9ne". Blog.therealtechn9ne.com. October 26, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
8. "More Than a Music Video - Why You Should Watch the "Am I a Psycho" World Premier This Sunday". Blog.therealtechn9ne.com. January 20, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
9. "Tech N9ne - Am I a Psycho?". So Many MP3s. February 1, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
10. "Tech N9ne "Psycho" with B.o.B and Hopsin". MTV. February 23, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.