Tech N9ne Is Alive

ORIGIN
Tech N9ne is an American rapper, singer/songwriter, and music producer from Kansas City, Missouri. His discography includes albums Anghellic (2001), Absolute Power (2002), All 6’s and 7’s (2011), and more recently Planet (2018). He co-founded the independent record label Strange Music with Travis O’Guin. In 2009, he was honored with the Left Field Woodie Award. In addition to music, Tech N9ne is an actor and entrepreneur. His film credits include Vengeance (2010), Alleluia! The Devil’s Carnival (2016) and the documentary The Psychumentary (2008). In 2018, he created a line of beer called “Bou Lou” with the Boulevard Brewing Company.

Given name, Aaron Dontez Yates, he was born on November 8, 1971, in Kansas City, Missouri. His father, Carlton, was absent for most of his childhood. On the other hand, his mother struggled with epilepsy and lupus. Yates was educated at Southwest High School in his home city of Kansas City. He used educational raps to improve his math, spelling, and reading skills. His stage name “Tech N9ne was derived from the “Tec-9” semi-automatic firearm. Growing up, Yates also showed an interest in horror and the supernatural. He reportedly searched abandoned buildings with hopes of catching a ghost on camera.

CAREER
In the 1990s, Tech N9ne performed with the music groups Black Mafia followed by 57th Street Rogue Dog Villians, Nnutthowze, and Yukmouth’s the Regime. He worked briefly with Perspective Records and had a stint with Quincy Jones‘ Qwest Records. Tech N9ne’s debut studio album, The Calm Before the Storm, was released in November 1999 by Midwestside Records. The album’s single “Questions” was featured on the soundtrack to the film Gang Related. His second studio album, The Worst, arrived in September 2000. It was produced exclusively by Don Juan.

Anghellic, Tech N9ne’s third album, was released in August 2001 by Strange Music (his own label), JCOR Entertainment, and Universal Music Group. A remastered version of the album was released in 2003 to include 3 new singles. Tech N9ne achieved commercial success with the release of Absolute Power (2002). The album sold upwards of 355,000 copies. It featured appearances from Strange Music signee Krizz Kaliko and Kutt Calhoun. Subsequent album releases include Misery Loves Kompany (2007), Killer (2008), Sickology 101 (2009), and The Gates Mixed Plate (2010). The EPs ‘The Lost Scripts of K.O.D.’ and ‘Seepage’ were released in 2010.

Tech N9ne’s 11th studio album, All 6’s and 7’s, was released in June 2011. It was led by singles “He’s a Mental Giant”, “Mama Nem” and “Worldwide Choppers.” Peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200, the album featured guest verses from Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar among others. Tech N9ne dropped 8 full-length projects between 2013 and 2018, including Something Else (2013), Special Effects (2015) and The Storm (2016). The latter featured Logic, Joyner Lucas, Jonathan Davis and Boyz II Men. His 21st album is scheduled for release in April 2019.

When not in the studio, Tech N9ne is busy working on film and television projects. He was cast as “Choco” in the film Vengeance (2014), as “The Librarian” in Alleluia! The Devil’s Carnival (2016), and as a zombie in the horror flick Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn (2015). Tech N9ne starred in the documentary The Psychumentary (2008) and appeared opposite Justin Timberlake in the crime-drama Alpha Dog (2006). He also appeared on the television programs Unsung, Hip Hop Squares, When I Was 17, and Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘n Out.

PERSONAL
Tech N9ne’s height is 5ft 7in and he’s of African-American descent. His net worth is estimated at $18 million USD. He’s sold more than 2 million albums worldwide. In 2014, he ranked at #16 on Forbes ‘Hip Hop Cash Kings’ list with $8 million. Tech N9ne has a total of 3 children, Reign, Dontez, and Alyia. He was married to his first wife from 1995 until their separation in 2005. Their divorce was finalized years later in 2015.

The “Tech N9ne” moniker is very similar to the late rapper “Tech 9” who died in March 2019. Battle rapper Tech 9’s real name was Akeem Mickens. When news broke of his death, it sparked widespread confusion as to which of the two actually died. However, Tech N9ne quickly took to social media to clear up confusion and to pay his final respect to Tech 9.

Tech N9ne Bio, Net Worth, Height