Tech N9ne

Tech N9ne (Born Aaron D. Yates on November 8, 1971 in Kansas City, Missouri.) is a rapper. He was raised in a strictly religious family, his stepfather being Muslim and mother Christian for most of his life. As a result of this upbringing, Tech is often seen wearing a cross.

Although rap music was banned from his house, his life changed dramatically when an uncle sneaked him a record called Rap Dirty by Blowfly. He began amassing a veritable rap arsenal--Afrika Bambaataa, N.W.A., Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions--hiding the records at a neighbor's house for fear his stepfather would find out.

In 1984, the crack trade infected the streets of his hometown, as L.A. Bloods moved into his neighborhood and the 57th Street Rogue Dog Villains were born. While his friends were getting caught up, Tech was perfecting his rhyme skills, gaining a reputation as a rapper and dancer.

At age 17, he left home to move into his aunt's home. He got his first taste of freedom. During this time, he never stopped dancing and rhyming. His skills attracted a woman named Tanya, who invited him to join her at a rap convention in New Orleans. Through Tanya, who later would rise to fame as the rapper Sole, he got his first big break to fame.

Tech came up as a popular rapper in Kansas City and, to a somewhat lesser extent, the rest of the country. Constant touring in support of his album Absolute Power and opening for more popular acts like the Insane Clown Posse increased his reputation. He joined the West Coast group The Regime, headed by Yukmouth, and is currently working on Everready: The Religion, with production from Jellyroll and appearances by Brotha Lynch Hung, and his Regime group mates.

Other key collaborations include: Tupac Shakur, Eminem, Insane Clown Posse, Twista, E-40, Yukmouth, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Esham, Spice1, D12, MC Ren, Brotha Lynch Hung, C-Bo, Twiztid, Kottonmouth Kings, Sole and Roger Troutman. He also appeared on a Wake Up Show (King Tech & Sway) song called "Anthem" with a slew of other rappers that included Xzibit, RZA, KRS-One, ChinoXL, Eminem and Jayo Felony.

Tech's song with 2Pac, "Thugs Get Lonely Too" was to be featured on Shakur's album Loyal to the Game in 2004. Death Row Records contacted Tech and still wanted him to record his verse so they could put the song together. This song was leaked but was never put out nationally. Eminem later used 2Pac's verse from that song, cutting out Tech's verse and replacing it with new rhymes from G-Unit.