Grace Pateras | The Courier-Post

Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne had to assure the hip-hop community – and even his own family – he was still alive Monday after a rapper with a similar name, Tech 9, died over the weekend, provoking widespread confusion.

"This Tech N9ne is going through Customs," tweeted the rapper, whose real name is Aaron Dontez Yates, as he panned his phone camera around to show the scene at an airport following his return from Canada and Europe. "My family's calling my phone wondering if I'm OK."

Tech N9ne offered his condolences to the family and friends of Tech 9, a Philadelphia-based battle rapper (real name Akeem Mickens), whose death was confirmed to hip-hop magazine XXL by his friend and fellow rapper, Buttah From Da Block.

“Sadly, it's true. We lost a Philadelphia and battle rap legend and pioneer," he told XXL after initially announcing the news on Facebook. "Unfortunately we haven't fully figured the cause of death. We are praying that it was natural causes. He had no signs of harm done to his body.”

Fans posted tweets expressing relief after learning it wasn't Tech N9ne, a 47-year-old Missouri native best known for the 2015 tracks “Hood Go Crazy” (featuring 2 Chainz & B.o.B) and “Speedom” (featuring Eminem & Krizz Kaliko). Both singles topped Billboard's hip-hop digital song sales charts.

I thought it was #techn9ne at first but rest easy man RIP 🙏🏼 #RIP https://t.co/JziOi23gJ3 — Clayton Howard (@therealmrj7) March 25, 2019

I was freaking out! Saw Tech 9 had passed away and thought it was you. Had to jump on twitter to make sure it wasn’t. Unfortunately I have never heard of the other T9. My condolences to his fans, friends, & family. — Travis Cole (@Str8SavageCole) March 25, 2019

Vibe magazine editor William Ketchum III tried to head off the confusion from the beginning: "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.”

There’s gonna be a lot of confusion this morning.



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. — William Ketchum III (@WEKetchum) March 25, 2019

Rapper Lunar C had the same idea: “Just to try to save some unnecessary awkwardness that is already popping up in my mentions.. Tech 9 and Tech n9ne are different ppl Tech 9 was a very well respected Battle Mc / Battle analyst who has just passed away.. pls use google and be respectful.”

K Just to try to save some unnecessary awkwardness that is already popping up in my mentions.. Tech 9 and Tech n9ne are different ppl Tech 9 was a very well respected Battle Mc / Battle analyst who has just passed away.. pls use google and be respectful 🙏🏻 — one punch willy (@LunarCFT) March 25, 2019

Despite the confusion, Tech 9 still received tributes from famous artists like Kendrick Lamar, who quoted his line, "THEY SAY MY FACE DONT LOOK THE SAME WITH THE STOCK" and wrote, "Condolences to the family of the late great Tech9 of philly. Rest well."

THEY SAY MY FACE DONT LOOK THE SAME WITH THE STOCK-



Condolences to the family of the late great Tech9 of philly. Rest well. — Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) March 25, 2019

Lupe Fiasco called Tech 9 "one of the most entertaining battle rappers."

Rip Tech 9...one of the most entertaining battle rappers.



Condolences to his family and friends.



May God have mercy on his soul. — “DROGAS WAVE” NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) March 25, 2019

Grace Pateras is a Digital Producer for the USA TODAY Network.

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