The studio release of Misery Loves Kompany, Killer, K.O.D., Sickology 101, and All 6’s and 7’s established Strange Music and cemented Tech as a top independent artist. Tech took several years to work on his 2006 album Everready (The Religion), marking the most prolonged hiatus of his career.įollowing the relative success of Everready, Tech released a string of solo and collaborative albums (albums in the latter are referred to as his “Collabos” projects) that marked, in my opinion, the peak of his career. Tech’s 2002 album, Absolute Power, debuted at #79 on the Billboard 200.
However, there were disputes about how the album was promoted, and thus Tech and his label severed ties with JCOR. He released the album Anghellic in 2001 under JCOR Records. Tech found some underground success from 2001 to 2005. In 1999, Tech and his business partner Travis O’Guin founded their own record label, Strange Music.
In 1997, Tech joined the group the Regime, formed by rapper Yukmouth. Tech signed with several record labels before settling with JCOR Records for a few years. However, he saw more success with the group 57th Street Rogue Dog Villains. Tech started his career in 1991 as part of a group called Black Mafia.
Professional Career The 90’s: Getting Started Tech was disturbed by his mother’s epilepsy and lupus, which she had dealt with since the age of 18. Tech’s mother, Maude Sue Yates-Khalifah, lived with Tech and other family members in the Wayne Miner projects.
Tech’s father, Carlton Cook, was estranged from the family and reportedly worked in Los Angeles as a member of the LAPD. However, his stepfather disapproved of rap music, which influenced Tech to leave home to live with his grandmother at the age of 17. Tech immersed himself in music during high school and gained recognition as a rapper and dancer. His high school was Southwest High School in Kansas City. Rap music was banned in his household, but that didn’t stop Tech from collecting several hip-hop records, including NWA, Public Enemy, etc. He also attended church several times a week with his mother and studied Islam at home with his stepfather. Tech was raised a strict Christian and explained that his hobby of exploring buildings was his effort to search for God (i.e., hoping to spot a ghost or other entity). He began rapping at a young age and had a hobby of exploring abandoned buildings with his best friend. Tech N9ne (pronounced “tech nine”) was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Won 2009 MTVU Music Leftfield Woodie Award Songs: Caribou Lou, Face Off, Worldwide Choppers, DemonsĪlbums: Something Else, All 6’s and 7’s, Everready Please sit back, relax, and let us journey through the life and career of the Tech N9ne.ģ Siblings: Kiraameen Khalifah, Hakim Khalifah, Basimah Khalifah Sure, his career has had its ups and downs, but we can almost always expect an annual offering from the K.O.D.
Tech’s longevity in the game is admirable, and his flow and rhymes are incomparable.īringing his signature “chopper” style to nearly every track, Tech N9ne is in his own lane, and he doesn’t seem to slow down.
Acting as the noble prototype for so-called ‘independents,’ Tech’s insistence to keep his Strange Music record label free from the influence of higher-ups has significantly contributed to his success. Tech N9ne, with a career spanning over three decades, is one of those hip-hop artists. Lupe Fiasco Bio: A Tale of Strife and Success - May 14, 2022įew in the hip-hop world can say they truly remained independent and relevant throughout their career.