Artist: Tech N9ne From: Kansas City, Missouri Status: Underground Rapper
THE NAME
The meaning of the name would be assumed to be a reference to a nine millimeter gun, but Tech N9ne has said other wise. Tech explained in many interviews that his name means "Technique Number Nine." Why the number nine? It's because it's said to be a significant number in life with cat's having "nine lives" and nine months of pregnancy. If you're not already shaking your head thinking "What the hell is he talking about?" keep reading and keep your mind open.
BIOGRAPHY
You could just listen to the track "I'm a Playa" for his album "Absolute Power" to get a to-the-point summary, but I'm going to take a deeper look. Aaron Dontez Yates was born on November 8, 1971 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was raised by a very religious family with his parents being Christian for most of his life and his stepfather being a Muslim. For the longest time his parents would not allow him to listen to rap music due to it's content and sacrilegious ways, but that all changed when an Uncle snuck him a record entitled "Rap Dirty" by Blowfly. This interested Aaron very much. He soon began to put together a large hip hop collection with a few of his favorites being Afrika Bambaataa, NWA, and Public Enemy to name a few. Of course his parents would have none of that so he had to end up hiding all his records at a friend's house to keep it secret.
He moved in with his aunt when he was 17. She was a lot more open and gave Aaron a lot more freedom. This of course meant he could listen to his albums and explore more of what was the hip hop movement. He began to practice his rhyming and dancing, which got the attention of Tonya Johnson(SOLE). She took him along to a rap convention in New Orleans and really gave him his big break.
THE ROAD TO ABSOLUTE POWER
Tech would soon become a very popular rapper in Kansas City and an underground sensation to the rest of the country. He toured constantly in support of his albums. After hitting up anywhere and everywhere his reputation was set with the underground and with his fellow rappers. Tech would find himself appearing on tracks with Tupac Shakur, Eminem, ICP, Twista, Yukmouth, Bone Thugs N Harmony, D12, Kottonmouth Kings, Sole, Roger Troutman, and MC Ren to name a few. His most notable appearance is from a Wake Up Show track entitled "Anthem" where he appeared with many top name rappers that included Xzibit, RZA, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Pharoahe Monch, and Eminem.
IMAGE
He is a very eccentric man. It shows through his appearance, which stands out against mostly any other mainstream rapper out there. If Busta Rhymes was known for his dreads, then Tech should be known for his large red liberty spikes; a style that's mostly known for punk rock roots. It makes sense though, he really does have the careless mentality and fun approach of a punk rocker.
STANDING OUT
Tech N9ne is the total package. He rolls all known rap styles into one huge blunt and smokes it every time he gets on stage. Through work of mouth he is becoming one of the top underground rappers of this era. He most known to be a speed-rapper, however, is also known to compose a rather slower flow, with a yelling, almost chanting delivery. His styles are so varied and musically unique that comparing him to any other rapper would be an injustice.
WHY HE'S NOT MAINSTREAM
He's playful and fun, but at the same time some of his lyrics are dark, suicidal, and somewhat psychotic. Yet, he has the persona and skills to make a huge mark on mainstream radio and television. He could EASILY go out there and make the party album of the decade, but I honestly think he's not mainstream because he doesn't want to be. It stays true to himself and continues to make the music he wants to. The lyrics to "Keep On Keepin' On" really summarize how he is.
"You can pray and pray for my downfall
When I rise like the sun
I ain't fuckin' with ya'll"
I'm gonna on keep on keepin' on"
DISCOGRAPY
The Calm Before The Storm Released: November 9, 1999 My Picks: "Now It's On", "Cloudy-Eyed Stroll", "Mitchell Bade"
Anghellic Released: August 28, 2001 My Picks: "Tormented", "Psycho Bitch", "It's Alive", "Einstein"
Celcius Released: September, 2002 My Picks: "He Wanna Be Paid", "Ride Wit Me", "Mizery"
Absolute Power Released: September 24, 2002 My Picks: "The Industry is Punks", "Keep On Keepin On", "Here Comes Tecca Nina", "I'm A Playa", "Imma Tell", "Slacker"
Vintage Tech Released: March 22, 2005 My Picks: "Now It's On", "Be Jealous", "The Grench", "I'm a Playa(Remix)", "My Own Hell"
Everready:The Religion Released: November 7, 2006 My Picks: "No Can Do", "Bout Ta' Bubble", "It's What You Thinkin'", JellySickle", "Caribou Lou", "The Beast"
BLOGS
- DLP News - The Savage Animal - Random Movie Review - rant/n/rave - PreView:ReView - Worst Case Scenario
THE ROAD TO ABSOLUTE POWER
