See photos & videos from exclusive tour of Strange Music HQ where Tech N9ne records hits

Dominick Williams
·1 min read

Inside Look is a Star series that takes our readers behind the scenes of some of the most well-known and not-so-well-known places and events in Kansas City. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at [email protected].

Many fans of Kansas City hip-hop artist Tech N9ne may have heard of the impressive facility Tech and Strange Music co-founder Travis O’Guin built to serve as their music label’s headquarters. Few have seen inside the complex nestled in an industrial park on the edge of the Kansas City metro.

The multi-building compound is more than a place for Tech N9ne and other artists on the Strange Music label to record their hits. It does have recording studios like many big music labels do, but that’s the tip of the iceberg for this place.

Strange Music’s headquarters also house the business operations for the independent music label along with production facilities and equipment for making tour merchandise. There is a soundstage for producing music videos along with storage facilities for music archives, tour stage gear, tour vehicles and some sporty vehicles Tech and O’Guin keep around for fun. Nearly everything needed for recording, touring and promoting artists on the company’s label is done or kept within the walls of their headquarters.

The Star was given access by O’Guin to see inside Strange Music’s headquarters to give our readers a chance to see how the business operates out of the expansive complex.

See the photos and videos from inside Strange Music.

The serpent and bat logo the represents Strange Music stands at the entrance to the music label’s Kansas City headquarters.
The serpent and bat logo the represents Strange Music stands at the entrance to the music label’s Kansas City headquarters.
The building that houses the recording studios at Strange Music greets visitors with a chopper style motorcycle hanging from the wall, a tribute to the chopper style rapping that label head and recording artist Tech N9ne is known for.
The building that houses the recording studios at Strange Music greets visitors with a chopper style motorcycle hanging from the wall, a tribute to the chopper style rapping that label head and recording artist Tech N9ne is known for.
Travis O’Guin, left, president and co-founder of Strange Music talks with his partner, co-founder and recording artist Tech N9ne just outside one of the recording studios at Strange Music.
Travis O’Guin, left, president and co-founder of Strange Music talks with his partner, co-founder and recording artist Tech N9ne just outside one of the recording studios at Strange Music.
Strange Music President and CEO Travis O’Guin shows off his latest project, a floor to ceiling alphabetical wall design featuring posters from past and present recording artists signed to his Strange Music record label.
Strange Music President and CEO Travis O’Guin shows off his latest project, a floor to ceiling alphabetical wall design featuring posters from past and present recording artists signed to his Strange Music record label.
This room features a floor to ceiling poster display that is alphabetized and also a wall that features every trademark that Strange Music currently holds.
This room features a floor to ceiling poster display that is alphabetized and also a wall that features every trademark that Strange Music currently holds.
Strange Land features a full service print shop that has allowed the label to create a massive amount of merchandise with wide variety of styles. This show room is featured above the print shop and most of these styles are available for purchase online.
Strange Land features a full service print shop that has allowed the label to create a massive amount of merchandise with wide variety of styles. This show room is featured above the print shop and most of these styles are available for purchase online.
A Strange Music logo medallion encased in glass at one of the many recording studios at Strange Music.
A Strange Music logo medallion encased in glass at one of the many recording studios at Strange Music.
One of the many recording studios located at the Strange Music compound. The site was built meticulously and houses multiple recording studios with state-of-the-art equipment and sound proofing.
One of the many recording studios located at the Strange Music compound. The site was built meticulously and houses multiple recording studios with state-of-the-art equipment and sound proofing.
The compound features a full service print shop, that prints posters, massive wall prints, thousands of t-shirts, and other branded merchandise. A state-of-the-art screen printing machine is used to make t-shirts.
The compound features a full service print shop, that prints posters, massive wall prints, thousands of t-shirts, and other branded merchandise. A state-of-the-art screen printing machine is used to make t-shirts.
The warehouse section stores tour merchandise, everything wrapped, labeled, and sealed for easy access. The totes are then taken out on the road during tours and sold to the loyal fan base.
The warehouse section stores tour merchandise, everything wrapped, labeled, and sealed for easy access. The totes are then taken out on the road during tours and sold to the loyal fan base.
Tech N9ne’s office at the compound features copper ceilings, gold and platinum plaques, and various pieces of art.
Tech N9ne’s office at the compound features copper ceilings, gold and platinum plaques, and various pieces of art.
Travis O’Guin, President and Founder of Strange Music, in his office at Strange Land Recording Studios. O’Guin and recording artist Tech N9ne founded Strange Music in 2000. O’Guin’s office is adorned with RIAA Gold album plaques and personal keepsakes.
Travis O’Guin, President and Founder of Strange Music, in his office at Strange Land Recording Studios. O’Guin and recording artist Tech N9ne founded Strange Music in 2000. O’Guin’s office is adorned with RIAA Gold album plaques and personal keepsakes.
This office was designed entirely by O’Guin’s daughter, who is also a former recording artist under the label. O’Guin sang his daughter’s praises, calling her a creative and intellectual genius and affectionately “something like an alien.”
This office was designed entirely by O’Guin’s daughter, who is also a former recording artist under the label. O’Guin sang his daughter’s praises, calling her a creative and intellectual genius and affectionately “something like an alien.”
The site features thousands of iterations of their now famous logo, a serpent and a bat, in its infrastructure, including in the floors and door frames.
The site features thousands of iterations of their now famous logo, a serpent and a bat, in its infrastructure, including in the floors and door frames.
Strange Land Recording Studios features several kitchens, boardrooms, and offices. President and CEO Travis O’Guin says he wants workers to be comfortable at Strange Land because it will allow them to work more efficiently.
Strange Land Recording Studios features several kitchens, boardrooms, and offices. President and CEO Travis O’Guin says he wants workers to be comfortable at Strange Land because it will allow them to work more efficiently.
Featuring a full service print shop, Strange Music prints posters, massive wall prints, thousands of t-shirts, and other branded merchandise.
Featuring a full service print shop, Strange Music prints posters, massive wall prints, thousands of t-shirts, and other branded merchandise.
Strange Music is one of the biggest independent recording labels in the country and it originated in Kansas City. They keep an extensive archive of music from past and present artists that have signed. They have signed artists from all over the world who value working with an independent label versus a major label.
Strange Music is one of the biggest independent recording labels in the country and it originated in Kansas City. They keep an extensive archive of music from past and present artists that have signed. They have signed artists from all over the world who value working with an independent label versus a major label.
Featuring a full service print shop, Strange Land prints posters, massive wall prints, thousands of t-shirts, and other branded merchandise that is then taken on one of the many tours that their artists embark on.
Featuring a full service print shop, Strange Land prints posters, massive wall prints, thousands of t-shirts, and other branded merchandise that is then taken on one of the many tours that their artists embark on.
Playfully called Strange Box, this building is a “toy box” featuring top of the line sports cars, ATV’s, and a bike repair shop. The building is one of many on the Strange Land compound, a site that serves as HQ for Strange Music.
Playfully called Strange Box, this building is a “toy box” featuring top of the line sports cars, ATV’s, and a bike repair shop. The building is one of many on the Strange Land compound, a site that serves as HQ for Strange Music.
Featuring top of the line sports cars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Rolls Royce, ATV’s, and a bike repair shop, Strange Box is a “toy box” that is part of the overall Strange Land compound, the headquarters for the recording label, Strange Music.
Featuring top of the line sports cars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Rolls Royce, ATV’s, and a bike repair shop, Strange Box is a “toy box” that is part of the overall Strange Land compound, the headquarters for the recording label, Strange Music.
Strange Box is a “toy box” featuring top of the line sports cars including two Lamborghini Urus, multiple ATV’s, and a bike repair shop.
Strange Box is a “toy box” featuring top of the line sports cars including two Lamborghini Urus, multiple ATV’s, and a bike repair shop.
Strange Music has a car wash to care for it’s fleet of vehicles.
Strange Music has a car wash to care for it’s fleet of vehicles.
One of the many recording studios located at Strange Land Recording Studios.
One of the many recording studios located at Strange Land Recording Studios.
Strange Land stores everything that is needed for a touring artist, including stage setups and props. There are several vehicles wrapped with the infamous Strange Music logo, a snake and a bat in the shape of the letters “S” and “M” for Strange Music.
Strange Land stores everything that is needed for a touring artist, including stage setups and props. There are several vehicles wrapped with the infamous Strange Music logo, a snake and a bat in the shape of the letters “S” and “M” for Strange Music.
Strange Music recording artists have access to an enormous soundstage to record music videos and shoot promotional material using Strange Music’s in-house production team.
Strange Music recording artists have access to an enormous soundstage to record music videos and shoot promotional material using Strange Music’s in-house production team.
Strange Music recording artist, Hu$h, stands on set inside Strange Music’s soundstage during a filming of a music video for his most recent album. Hu$h is signed to the label and is producing his album and filming his music videos at Strange Land, a compound that functions as HQ for Strange Music.
Strange Music recording artist, Hu$h, stands on set inside Strange Music’s soundstage during a filming of a music video for his most recent album. Hu$h is signed to the label and is producing his album and filming his music videos at Strange Land, a compound that functions as HQ for Strange Music.
Travis O’Guin, President and Founder of Strange Music at Strange Land Recording Studios.
Travis O’Guin, President and Founder of Strange Music at Strange Land Recording Studios.
Recording artist Tech N9ne is founder and owner of Strange Music, the largest and most successful independent music labels in the country, takes a pause from writing lyrics for an upcoming project. Tech N9ne started the label in 2000 and has produced 27 albums to date while also maintaining an intense touring schedule.
Recording artist Tech N9ne is founder and owner of Strange Music, the largest and most successful independent music labels in the country, takes a pause from writing lyrics for an upcoming project. Tech N9ne started the label in 2000 and has produced 27 albums to date while also maintaining an intense touring schedule.
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