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Prolific rapper’s ability to build his own label and mesh with other genres resonates across industry, including with Atlanta artists.
Rapper Black Walt gave rapper/entrepreneur Aaron "Tech N9ne" Yates (pictured) his stage name because he said Tech N9ne's vocals resemble the sound of a semiautomatic pistol. (Courtesy of Darryl Woods)

Credit: Darryl Woods

Rapper Black Walt gave rapper/entrepreneur Aaron "Tech N9ne" Yates (pictured) his stage name because he said Tech N9ne's vocals resemble the sound of a semiautomatic pistol. (Courtesy of Darryl Woods)
8 hours ago

Rapper and entrepreneur Tech N9ne can remember his first visit to Atlanta back in 1992.

It was to Jack the Rapper Family Affair, a music industry convention created in 1977 by disc jockey Joseph Gibson Jr. where Black radio executives met with record labels to hear new talent. Tech N9ne connected and performed in ciphers with rap acts Tupac Shakur, Heavy D, Treach from Naughty By Nature, Eazy E and Cypress Hill at the event.

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Tech N9ne made his first trip to Atlanta in 1992 for Jack the Rapper Family Affair, a music industry convention where he connected with Tupac Shakur, Heavy D, Treach from Naughty By Nature, Eazy E and Cypress Hill. (Courtesy of Darryl Woods)

Credit: Darryl Woods

Tech N9ne made his first trip to Atlanta in 1992 for Jack the Rapper Family Affair, a music industry convention where he connected with Tupac Shakur, Heavy D, Treach from Naughty By Nature, Eazy E and Cypress Hill. (Courtesy of Darryl Woods)

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Atlanta rapper B.o.B. (left) and Tech N9ne on the set of 'Hood Go Crazy' music video in Atlanta in 2015. (Courtesy of TJ Chapman)

Credit: TJ Chapman

Atlanta rapper B.o.B. (left) and Tech N9ne on the set of 'Hood Go Crazy' music video in Atlanta in 2015. (Courtesy of TJ Chapman)
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T.I. (left) has one feature with Tech N9ne (center) — "On the Bible" from Tech N9ne's 2015 album "Special Effects." Also pictured is Trae the Truth. (Courtesy of Jeff Nelson)

Credit: Jeff Nelson

T.I. (left) has one feature with Tech N9ne (center) — "On the Bible" from Tech N9ne's 2015 album "Special Effects." Also pictured is Trae the Truth. (Courtesy of Jeff Nelson)

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Tech N9ne co-founded his independent record label Strange Music with business partner Travis O'Guin in 2000. (Courtesy of Darryl Woods)

Credit: Darryl Woods

Tech N9ne co-founded his independent record label Strange Music with business partner Travis O'Guin in 2000. (Courtesy of Darryl Woods)

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If You Go

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About the Author

Christopher A. Daniel is a Black Culture reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is an Atlanta-based, award-winning journalist, cultural critic and ethnomusicologist. He previously taught courses at Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Georgia State University.