Tech N9ne recently sat down with AllHipHop, where he revealed that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson didn’t just step into the rap game with “Face Off.” The mega star came with his pen and intention.
While fans and critics have long speculated whether The Rock had help crafting his verse on the viral 2021 single, Tech N9ne confirmed that the wrestling icon turned Hollywood heavyweight didn’t rely on a ghostwriter.
“He knew exactly what he wanted to say,” Tech told AllHipHop. “I just helped him structure it.”
The track, which features Tech N9ne, Joey Cool, King Iso and The Rock, made headlines not just for its high-octane energy but for also showcasing a surprisingly competent verse from the action star.
“It’s about drive, it’s about power/We stay hungry, we devour,” The Rock spit. They instantly became a gym anthem to the tune of 88 million YouTube views on the video.
Tech recited, recalling their writing session. “He said ‘face-to-face, now it’s escalating’—I was like, that n###a’s dope, man. He’s so talented. He knows what the f##k he wants to do. I ain’t lying.”
Tech made it clear that he helped shape the flow and delivery, but the ideas and bars largely came from The Rock.
“I wouldn’t have said ‘hours and hours’ or some of the stuff he said,” Tech admitted. “But it was dope how he said it. It worked. It made sense.”
Jigsaw chimed in to clarify the writing dynamic: “So he co-wrote it.”
Tech confirmed: “Yes. Oh, yes.”
It’s a revelation that upends the typical assumptions about celebrity rap cameos—especially from someone not traditionally known for music. The Rock’s verse was not ghostwritten in the conventional sense but rather refined collaboratively.
Fans and fitness junkies alike have used the verse as motivation, and even Jigsaw gave props: “Shout out to Rock. He keeps me in the gym. He keeps me working. I know he’s apex, but I’m staying inspired thanks to him.”
With Tech N9ne’s co-sign, The Rock gets a lot of respect in the culture of Hip-Hop.
Tech N9ne’s new album, 5816 Forest, is another notch in his belt. The lyrical origin story that traces his formative years from ages 12 to 17 at his home at 5816 Forest Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. The opus is in chronological order. The project explores his early experiences with family, religion, street life and his eventual transformation into Tech N9ne.
Check our full interview.
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