The death of Tech 9, aka Akeem Mickens, caused much sadness for those who knew him and also much confusion after some music fans confused him for fellow rapper Tech N9ne this week.

On Monday, many mistakenly mourned the Strange Music founder, whose real name is Aaron Dontez Yates, before he spoke out on social media to squash the rumors circulating about his death and express his condolences to the family of the Philadelphia battle rapper with a similar stage name who had passed away over the weekend.

“Condolences to the battle rapper Tech 9,” Tech N9ne, 47, somberly said in a monochrome videothis link opens in a new tab. “He’s been battling for years. I’ve observed many a battle of his. Condolences to the family.”

Condolences to the great Tech 9. #Philly pic.twitter.com/RGj3NNJEvZ

— Tech N9ne (@TechN9ne) March 25, 2019

“This Tech N9ne is going through customs back in the U.S., coming from Canada, coming from Europe,” the rapper continued while standing in the customs line at the airport.

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“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 concluded the video.

On Sunday, rapper Buttah From Da Block announced Tech 9’s death on social media.

 

Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

 

Aw man it hurts me to be saying this right now and After speaking to your dad this is even harder to process 😪 …. PHILADELPHIA AND THE BATTLE RAP CULTURE ALL TOOK A LOSS WITH THIS ONE. HE WAS A LEGEND AND A PIONEER, GENTLEMAN, GREAT FATHER ENTREPRENEUR, ENTHUSIAST AND PHILANTHROPIST. With Deep Hurt And sorrow i say we will miss u and love u bro… Tell Spittage We gon hold it down bro. 💔🎯💯😪 S.P.I.T.T.A.G.E YALL MVFKAS BETTER GET IT RIGHT WAYNE A.V. … REST IN PEACE TO MY BROTHER #TECH9 @therealtech9

Bài viết do Buttah From Da Block (@officialbuttah) chia sẻ vào Th03 24, 2019 lúc 11:00pm PDT

“Aw man it hurts me to be saying this right now and After speaking to your dad this is even harder to process …. PHILADELPHIA AND THE BATTLE RAP CULTURE ALL TOOK A LOSS WITH THIS ONE. HE WAS A LEGEND AND A PIONEER, GENTLEMAN, GREAT FATHER ENTREPRENEUR, ENTHUSIAST AND PHILANTHROPIST.

“With Deep Hurt And sorrow i say we will miss u and love u bro… Tell Spittage We gon hold it down bro. 💔🎯💯😪 S.P.I.T.T.A.G.E YALL MVFKAS BETTER GET IT RIGHT WAYNE A.V. … REST IN PEACE TO MY BROTHER #TECH9 @therealtech9,” he wrotethis link opens in a new tab in the post.

While a cause of death has yet to be determined, Buttah From Da Block confirmed to XXL this link opens in a new tabthat “he had no signs of harm done to his body.”

Hip-hop superstars like Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, Lloyd Banks, and many more remembered the late rapper on Twitter.

Rest In Peace to the Philadelphia legend Tech 9

— Lloydbanks (@Lloydbanks) March 25, 2019

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

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

“THEY SAY MY FACE DONT LOOK THE SAME WITH THE STOCK- Condolences to the family of the late great Tech9 of philly. Rest well,” Lamar tweeted.

Tech 9 competed in dozens of rap battles for over a decade, facing legends like T-Rex and Arsenal, according to XXL.