Rapper Tech N9ne is alive and well. Rapper Tech 9, not so much.
On Monday, news broke that Philadelphia-born Tech 9 (aka Akeem Mickens) died over the weekend.
But, Tech N9ne (aka Aaron Yates) performed Sunday night at the Capital Ballroom in Victoria, B.C.
"My family's calling my phone wondering if I'm OK," Tech N9ne said, in a video message recorded in a U.S. Customs line on Monday morning. "My condolences go out to the battle rapper Tech 9."
Condolences to the great Tech 9. #Philly pic.twitter.com/RGj3NNJEvZ
— Tech N9ne (@TechN9ne) March 25, 2019
Both Tech 9 and Tech N9ne evidently took their stage names from the TEC-9 semi-automatic handgun.
The former is being described as “one of the architects of modern battle rap” who became a popular commentator on Champion with Jay Blac. The latter, meanwhile, is busy promoting his new album N9NA, which drops April 19.
The (understandable) confusion is evident on social media:
There’s gonna be a lot of confusion this morning.
— William Ketchum III (@WEKetchum) March 25, 2019
Tech 9 (@Therealtech9), a respected battle rapper, passed away.
Tech N9ne, founder of Strange Music, is still with us.
Hip-hop definitely lost someone dear today. Just want to be clear on who it was.
The fact that yall are posting that Hoax article about "Tech N9ne" shows me
— ☣☣NoMercyTV.com☣☣ (@NoMercyHarlem) March 25, 2019
1. Yall can't read. Tech 9....Tech N9ne.....2 different spellings, that's for a reason
2. Y'all don't know hiphop OR battle rap. Anybody who know's 1 should know enough to differentiate the two
I guess we'll have to wait until the morning to see if Tech N9ne dying really happened
— خالير (@iNEALir) March 25, 2019
Hope Tech N9ne ain’t dead for real...somebody I don’t follow tweet popped up on the TL saying that.
— kerrie (@KdubSoSolid) March 25, 2019
"Tech 9" or "Tech N9ne" someone give me details
— Chris Aviles (@FluffyiG) March 25, 2019
Tech 9 and Tech N9ne are not the same people
— ŁÅDŸ (@LadyLondonnn) March 25, 2019
Real stupid question: Is it Tech N9ne or Tech 9 that died? I know one but not the other.. #Tech9
— Brad Tuckmantel (@Dengir214) March 25, 2019
Bro i thought something happened to tech n9ne but apparently its a battle rapper named tech 9
— olenna tyrell fan account (@SailorYas) March 25, 2019