After calling Tech N9ne the “best rapper alive”, comedian and actor Chris D’Elia quickly found himself at the center of attention in Strangeland. Known to many for his co-starring role on NBC’s Whitney, Chris surprised Technicians everywhere by revealing that he was a big Tech N9ne fan and all around hip hop supporter.

We recently spoke with Chris and asked him to share his thoughts on his favorite Tech N9ne tracks. With sincere respect and admiration for Tech’s music, Chris went on explain just what it is about Tech N9ne that has kept him listening album after album.

Can you tell me about some of your favorite Tech N9ne songs?

Yeah, I really like “Crybaby”. I think that one’s great. Actually “Like Yeah”, you know that one on the Killer album? Here’s why I like that one the best. I was going through a break up a long time ago. It was like the first time I had broken up. It was from a four-year relationship I broke up from with my girl. It was like the first girl I was with after my ex and I spent the night at this girl’s house. It was so weird and not what I was used to because I was with my girl for a while. I went in my car afterwards and it was like, I felt so bad because of the break up and shitty. I didn’t really know what I was doing with my life or with the situation. I put that album in right when I left in the morning, it was like 6:30AM. That song came on because it was the first on the album. I had this feeling – because you know Tech talks a lot about women and sex and all this. It made me feel like, I know how this sounds, but it made me feel like this guy understands what I’m going through. I just listened to that song on repeat all the way home. That sounds corny, but it’s true.

You said you dig “Crybaby” as well?

I really like that song because I feel like a lot of rappers make songs like that about haters and this and that, “Don’t talk shit or I’m gonna kill you.” The way Tech came at it in that song, where he wasn’t really saying anyone was a hater, he was just saying “Don’t be a cry baby”, I just thought that was a really unique and cool way to put a spin on something that’s been a main theme in hip hop. I really like the way he did that.

There’s one where his voice is just an instrument man, and that was the shit. I heard “He’s A Mental Giant” obviously because that was a single and I have the album. Which one is the one where he says “Soiray, sorry I mean Soiree”? That song, that song is the shit. Tech N9ne does shit when he says something like “Oops”, and it’s part of the song, that shit kills me man.

That sounds like “Eenie Meanie Miny Ho” from All 6’s And 7’s.

That’s what it was. That’s what it is. I love that song because what he’s saying is so real, but he comes at it with so much truth, but the way he also makes it musical…rappers don’t really do that. It’s unbelievable. I know the guy’s got a crazy career and he’s got a grassroots following and his fans would die for him. I love that he says, “Tech won’t go mainstream, mainstream will go Tech” because that’s how he’s doing it. I feel like, my dad doesn’t know who Tech N9ne is, but you know, soon my dad might.

Don’t forget to visit ChrisD’Elia.com for more!

–Victor Sandoval, Assistant Editor Strange Music

Follow Victor on Twitter: @VicMSandoval

What did you think of Chris D’Elia’s picks? Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below!