Tech N9ne has hyped up Kansas City for years. It’s time to return the love and respect | Opinion

This summer, hip-hop turns 50. To celebrate, wouldn’t it be cool if Kansas City officially recognized rapper Tech N9ne for his contributions to the music scene here?

Think about it: Tech N9ne is one of hip-hop’s brightest (and best paid) international stars. No other Kansas City rapper has consistently appeared on Forbes’ yearly list of the highest-earning hip-hop stars. In 2021, the Kansas City native and co-founder of record label Strange Music earned $25 million, according to former Forbes contributor Zack O’Malley Greenburg, who independently tracked hip-hop’s top grossing performers that year.

From a financial standpoint alone, the business of Tech N9ne has been beneficial to the region. The Lee’s Summit-based Strange Music he runs with co-founder Travis O’Guin generates jobs and, more important, tax revenue. And the self-made millionaire rapper proudly displays his allegiance to all things Kansas City. He was born and raised here, and should have a day named in his honor.

What do you say, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas? Are you all paying attention, members of the Kansas City Council? Let’s get rolling the process to this loooooong overdue proclamation.

When it comes to influence, Tech should be mentioned in the same breath as famed saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker, said local film and culture critic Shawn Edwards. Not to disparage Parker or his musical contributions — who could? — but Edwards makes an interesting case. Tech N9ne’s career has spanned decades, Edwards said. And the rapper known for his fire-spitting wordplay and colorful costumes has never forgotten his hometown.

“Tech N9ne is an international star and is synonymous with Kansas City,” Edwards said. “You could argue he has claimed Kansas City way more than Charlie Parker. Charlie ran from the town” when he left for New York in the 1940s.

With the younger generation, does hip-hop have a bigger impact on Kansas City than jazz?

“You can argue that, too.” Edwards said.

KC hip-hop panel examines rap influence

In a recent conversation with Edwards, a former journalist for Kansas City’s The Pitch, The Source and other hip-hop magazines, we talked of Kansas City’s standing in the hip-hop game. Yes, Tech N9ne is the face of the city, but the contributions span from pioneering DJs, to party promoters, to breakthrough woman emcees and others.

Tech worked with Kansas City rapper Solé, who made noise in 1999 on “Who Dat,” her uptempo and hard-hitting song with Miami based rapper J.T. Money. Solé didn’t disappoint. “Who Dat” reached No. 1 on the U.S. rap chart and won her a Billboard Music rap single of the year award.

A star was born, Edwards said. “She was massive — an eruption of the scene. She predated the boom of female emcees. She was Nicki Minaj before Nicki Minaj. She had a top-selling (gold) album (‘Skin Deep’). She was the real deal.”

Other hip-hop contributors of note Edwards cited: mixtape maven DJ Fresh; his brother, rapper and entrepreneur Walter “The Popper” Edwin, owner of Kansas City’s IMKC clothing store; and legendary underground artist Rich the Factor.

“When was the last time any of them worked a regular 9 to 5 job?” Edwards said. “Hip-hop has been good to Kansas City.”

On Friday, Edwards and music producer Don Juan will host Growing Up Hip-hop Kansas City, a panel celebrating Kansas City’s ties to a music genre celebrating its 50th anniversary in August.

Hip-hop was born in the summer of 1973 in New York City’s South Bronx, according to historians. Over the decades, it’s become one of the most popular categories of music in the world. And Kansas City shouldn’t be forgotten, Edwards said. He and Don Juan, a music producer with ties to Tech N9ne and other major entertainers, interviewed DJs, producers and artists to curate their joint conversation.

The oral history presentation will delve into topics ranging from the aforementioned Tech N9ne’s rise to fame to how local politicians and activists tried and failed to ban gangsta rap, Edwards said.

The pair will also share stories and other anecdotes on how the culture impacted Kansas City. The panel is hosted by local YouTube content creator Kimology and Kansas City visual artist Warren Harvey will produce a live painting during the event featuring DJ Skeme, according to Edwards.

“We’re going to tell a story,” he said.

‘KCMO Anthem’ represents Chiefs

Tech N9ne is one of the hardest working rappers in the game. There is little secret why he has appeared on lists for top-selling artists. He tours relentlessly and records with frequency. Since 1999, he has recorded nearly two dozen studio albums, according to his website. His work ethic is uncanny, said Kansas City rapper Alan Wayne the Pradagy. Tech N9ne’s influence on younger artists cannot be put into words, Alan Wayne told me.

“Subconsciously gargantuan,” Alan Wayne wrote in a message on social media. Like Tech, Wayne is an independent artist representing Kansas City in his lyrics and song references. “He gave us a road map to follow.”

In 2015’s “KCMO Anthem,” Tech N9ne took his love for the hometown to another level when he rapped:

“See my flag, they flyin’ it, now it’s no denyin’ it

“Anythin’ that got my city’s logo, now they buyin’ it

“Keep ‘em goin’ crazy though, TV and the radio

“Been watchin’ since a baby, so I’m representin’ KCMO”

Undoubtedly Chiefs fans everywhere appreciate the song, which continues Tech’s ode to Kansas City and its love affair with the Chiefs: “KCMO, roll (I’m representin’)/KCMO, roll (ya ain’t messin’ with)/KCMO, roll (I’m born and raised in)/KCMO, roll.”

And who could forget the chorus to Tech’s “Red Kingdom” tribute to the Chiefs? On the 2019 record, he raps: “Welcome to the Red Kingdom (yeah). Red Kingdom. Welcome to the Red Kingdom (yeah). Red Kingdom.”

Tech N9ne has dedicated a considerable amount of his career into pumping up Kansas City. It’s time for us to return the favor. Kansas City must properly recognize the musical contributions of Tech N9ne.