Tech N9ne is a rapper from Kansas City. He emerged from the underground scene in the late 90s with a hardcore style.
Tech N9ne was a member of a number of rap groups in the Kansas City area, although their limited success prompted him to go solo. His debut in late 1999, The Calm before the Storm, failed to chart, though collaborations with other rappers helped to give him a profile.
After the low key success of Anghellic, he set up the label Strange Music for the Absolute Power album. The album went to the Top 30 of the R&B/Hip-hop charts and having established himself, subsequent releases have proven as popular.
Tech N9ne has a long list of collaborations, including 2pac and D12, to his credit. He is also a member of the gangsta rap collective The Regime, who have released three acclaimed mixtapes called the All Out War series.