The battle rap community is in mourning today as Philadelphia's own Tech 9, one of the iconic figures in the culture, has reportedly passed away. Although the circumstances behind his death are unknown, the tragic news was confirmed this morning by close family and friends on social media, thus leaving a devastating feeling of loss throughout the extended family of battle rap.
It goes without saying that Akhiym “Tech 9” Mickens was a legend in the sport, with perhaps his most memorable battle at URLTV's Summer Madness, when he opened his round against Midwest Miles with one of the most symbolic performances in battle rap history.
Tech also had classic battles with DNA, X-Factor, Rich Dolarz, Bill Collector, Head Ice, and countless others, with more recent battles with the likes of Jerry Wess, Jimz, Geechi Gotti and more. Additionally, he also became a beloved analyst in the sport on Jay Blac's celebrated battle rap platform "Champion," where his comedic personality and passion for the art form filled a void in battle rap media.
With that said, the loss of the fallen legend will likely galvanize the sport and bring battle rap closer together, as seen in dozens of tweets posted online from notable names throughout the culture. In addition to condolences sent from the leagues and battle rappers themselves, mainstream artists such as Lloyd Banks and Smoke DZA are honoring his legacy as well, thus symbolizing his impact and what Tech truly meant to the culture of hip-hop in general.
Source: Twitter
