Tech N9ne needs you to know he’s alive and well..
Rumors of the 47-year-old Missouri-brought into the world rapper’s demise were incredibly misrepresented after he took to Twitter Monday to mourn the death of another recording artist: Philadelphia fight rapper Tech 9, otherwise known as Akeem Mickens, 32.
“Condolences to the battle rapper Tech 9,” said Tech N9ne in the black-and-white video. “He’s been battling for years. I’ve observed many a battle of his. Condolences to the family.”
Cue mass perplexity in the hip-hop community as fans attempted to figure out which of the comparatively monikered rappers had actually died.
After fans began paying sincere regards to Tech N9ne and his family, the artist — whose genuine name is Aaron Dontez Yates — endeavored to elucidate the situation in a somber black-and-white video.
“My family is calling my phone wondering if I’m OK — I’m OK. My condolences go out to the battle rapper, Tech 9. Philly, stand up,” he said.
“This Tech N9ne is going through customs back in the U.S., coming from Canada, coming from Europe,” the “Worldwide Choppers” hitmaker and Strange Music record label founder said in the video, panning to a security line in an airport.
Tech N9ne’s illumination clearly didn’t hit home — as much of social media is still mourning his non-death.
“NO F WAY. DID TECH N9NE REALLY PASS AWAY?” one grieving fan, KAlonso_LNG, tweeted.
Individual concerned tweeter @FluffyiG ringed in with “‘Tech 9′ or ‘Tech N9ne’ somebody give me subtleties.”
Individual fight rapper Butta From-Da Block reported Tech 9’s death Monday on Facebook: “PHILADELPHIA AND THE BATTLE RAP CULTURE ALL TOOK A LOSS WITH THIS ONE. HE WAS A PIONEER, GENTLEMAN, GREAT FATHER ENTREPRENEUR, ENTHUSIAST AND PHILANTHROPIST. With Deep Hurt And sorrow i say we will miss u and love u bro.”
The cause of death has not yet been released, XXL Mag reported.
