Gee Watts

Gee Watts speaks warmly of his guest spot on Tech N9ne’s new album, but he’s not tied to the achievement.

“Somebody might get on a Tech album and feel like they’ve arrived — and maybe, ’cause that’s a hell of an accomplishment,” Watts said.

“But I’ve got a family to provide for, and until they get the life they deserve I can’t stop and relish in any moment.”

The Kansas City rapper joins a fleet of hip-hop luminaries, including 2 Chainz, E-40 and the unimpeachable Eminem, on Tech’s newest creation, an expansive 24-song work titled “Special Effects.”

Speaking about the guest spot a few days after the album dropped, Watts sounds less self satisfied and more hungry, driven.

Watts says he heard the beat in the Strange Music studios this winter and was given the summary of the song he was to appear on, “Life Sentences.” The track’s title is a play on the criminal term, which here is given new meaning as a quest for identity.

“I won’t look back anymore after this,” Tech raps, detailing the sordid path to self-actualization.

Watts said his verse took him about 15 minutes to compose, but he didn’t want to seem too impulsive. So he took the words home and returned to cut the same verse the next day.

There’s a “Macbeth”-like ambition for power and a sense of paranoia that pervades the song, but Watts’ contribution bestows a texture of righteousness and spiritual exceptionalism: “Life sentence for fallin’ out ya physical body / Illuminate my soul, officially became godly.”

Watts is no stranger to marrying hip-hop and holy. His last album, “Kansas City State of Mind,” has a strong spiritual texture heightening the drama and the satisfaction of victory.

Watts said he sees himself as part of a long tradition of hip-hop’s focus on the big after, which you can trace back to Tupac’s “Hail Mary.”

But, he added, there appears to be something especially germane about the subject for contemporary ears.

“Low key, I think the world is in more of a spiritual awakening,” Watts said.

Watts reports Tech extended a hand via Twitter, lauding the 24-year-old rapper’s lyrics and the strong local color in Watts’ work through a mention tagging the artist.

On his records and in performances, Tech can be a mercurial figure — dark and dramatic at times or radioactively energetic, as in the “Everready” period. The Tech that Watts worked with in the Strange Music studio was energetic — an optimist and a bright spirit.

“A good, genuine, down-to-earth individual,” Watts said.

Watts doesn’t see it as duplicitous, just someone with a personality and “a melting pot with a lot of different things that go in it.”

Before he embarks on a national tour in support of “Special Effects,” Tech will headline for this year’s Rockfest at Liberty Memorial, which will be held May 30.

Watts is at work on a new album titled “CaviArt,” which he said is almost ready for release.

Read more here: http://www.inkkc.com/content/gee-watts-talks-new-track-with-tech-n9ne/#storylink=cpy - Jesus Lopez-gomez

Gee Watts doesn’t miss. He’s already proven this much in the two years we’ve been following him. From the beginning, Watts Up to 199X and now to Kansas City State Of Mind, we’ve witnessed a youth mature into adulthood.

As much as his music has stayed the same, it’s still undergone changes. It’s not just about being young and dumb anymore. It’s about responsibility and being the provider. The fiery introspection, and thought provoking lyrics pervade throughout. But product’s crisper, fresher, better put together. But most of all, the tales of despair, and struggle still hit hard as they did on day one. There are songs that sound good, and are aesthetically pleasing. And then there are meaningful records, that actually say something significant. Sometimes it’s tough to make the distinction between the two, and sometimes it’s tough for artists to excel in both areas. But Gee does it effortlessly well.

And Kansas City State Of Mind just picks up where we last heard him on 199X. Features are limited as Gee lets his rhymes take the reigns. From standout single, “Symptoms” to waxing on his younger days “Reminiscing” to the Nas homage, “It Was Written,” Gee Watts is closing out 2014 with a resounding bang. If you’re unfamiliar, I’d suggest starting with “The Triumph” to see what the young man is all about and then proceed from there to give the full album a listen. We’ve also included the recently released video for “Symptoms,” too.

Cop Kansas City State of Mind on iTunes here. - Raj

Kansas City, Missouri emcee Gee Watts has come together with Distant Dreams Music, LLC and 1990Never to bring fans his latest street release, the 199x LP.

The project packs 14 tracks' worth of original material from the unsigned buzzmaker, as well as two bonus cuts. Included are "Church" and the reader-approved title track. Cj Hicks, MiMi Nichole, Nave', Purpose and Stik Figa make guest appearances throughout the set, which boasts beats by 1Bounce, Arkutec, D/Will, DOM, Junia-T, Lando Beats, M.G. and Mike Hurst.

While the deluxe version of 199x is currently available for digital purchase via iTunes, The DJBooth is running an exclusive, full stream of the album. - Richard

Kansas City’s pride Gee Watts has just dropped his second official mixtape, Watts Up. Watts clearly understands the importance of consistency and cohesion; the tape is nearly bulletproof. The production is always solid, particularly shining on the dark “Watts R.I.O.T.” and the somber “Trust Nobody.” Gee Watts more than holds up his end of the bargain, supplying thoughtful, genuine rhymes ripe with fresh wordplay and personal truths. The only concern is whether Watts’ voice will prove distinctive enough to become a breakthrough artist or if he will have to depend on hardcore hip-hop heads for all his support. Also, there is the occasional misfire on the hook front, but other than that, the tape is is superb. Stream and download Watts Up, featuring appearances by Kendrick Lamar, Dre Harmony, and Adrian Truth, as well as production from DA, Mike Hurst, sounwave, TheGhost816, Tee Ohh, FL Goon, and MG. - Ben Sherak

Gee Watts has been a staff favorite for some time now. He’s young, but there’s very tangible wisdom peppered throughout his music that speaks to knowledge far beyond his years. As it turns out, the Kansas City rapper’s been fighting a legal battle since around the time his first project dropped, which has taught him more life lessons than those experienced by the average twenty-something.

Now with his case behind him, Gee’s readying his new album, CaviART, and the first release from is entitled “Hallelujah.” The record samples Kanye West’s classic, “Drive Slow,” and retains a lot of the qualities of the original. As the title would hint, it’s celebratory and optimistic, and the sky is the limit. However, there are dense clouds littered in the midst of the celestial blue atmosphere, and so there’s a certain caution that’s also prevalent. In other words, Gee Watts is rapping about is exactly where his mind is at these days, given the circumstances that have just passed.

And with CaviART looming on the horizon, we got the chance to talk to Gee Watts and discuss “Hallelujah”, his legal situation, and a particular moment of realization in his life.



TSS: We’ve followed you since pretty early in your career. From the beginning to now, how long have you been facing these legal obstacles?

Gee Watts: For that, I love and appreciate yall. I actually posted bail and started fighting the case a week before I dropped the song with K-Dot. So my entire career. The case was what forced me to not have one foot in the shits and one in the studio. I had to become a “rapper”. I can now say it was a blessing in disguise.

TSS: Without going into full detail, how did your music wind up being a factor in the legal proceedings? When you know somebody’s out there listening, waiting for you to slip up and say something they can use against you, how does that come to bear in terms of the songs you create?

Watts: It definitely was an issue. Like a dark cloud hovering over my head. You know, I’m wanting to tell my story because I might not see a booth for 12 years. At the same time, they giving n****s life for lyrics. I hated censoring myself. They actually pulled up my lyrics in court [laughs]. Shit’s nutty, but we beat the case and Creflo Dollar got a jet…so it’s no more excuses.

I’m wanting to tell my story because I might not see a booth for 12 years. At the same time, same time they giving n****s life for lyrics.
TSS: The tone of “Hallelujah” is celebratory, but has some very dark undertones, almost cautious. Does that more or less sum up where you are right now since the case is wrapped up, but the battle is never really over?

Watts: Exactly family, Meek’s situation showed how if they want, they will lock ya ass up for anything. My back-up time 146 months. I got they weight of the case off but I can’t afford to be ignorant with it.

TSS: What was that one ‘it’ moment of realization where you found yourself? How has your life changed since that point?

Watts: Since I was a youngin, I battled with “sleep paralysis” or so they call it. While on bail, I had an episode but this time I “astral projected”…shit had me spooked. A voice told me “I’m giving you all the knowledge. If you seek truth and speak truth, I got you.” This energy spoke my language. Lone and behold I beat the case. I know myself; have knowledge of self; now I’m in the process of mastering self. All in two or so years. Quantum physics is real and nobody can tell me different because I performed magic when I willed myself to the outcome I got, despite the evidence against me.

TSS: On the opening lines of the track, you rhyme, “I maneuver through trenches where snitches be plotting/common shooters be cripping and itching to knock him, got the Ruger, These hoes trolls, all they got is computers.” Where do those lines draw from?

Watts: I lived a lot of life and read a lot of books. I haven’t gotten to the level of artistry to channel others story and incorporate it. All I know is my journey and those lines speak to roads traveled. Gandy Internet n****s, rats who do crime but can’t man-up and do they time wanna drag another man down because they moving sloppy. That’s weakness and selfishness make n****s want to kill.

‘CaviART’ releases soon. Follow Gee on Twitter at @gee_watts. - Raj Annand