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Tech N9ne raps as fast as the gun with the same name, but his rhymes run as deep as a bullet wound.
Tech N9ne will take The Senator Theatre stage with opening acts Potluck and Cool Nutz on Tuesday. The Kansas City rapper will showcase music from the two albums he released this year, "Everready" and "Misery Loves Kompany."
Tech N9ne, or Aaron Yates, has been cruising the underground rap scene since 1997, working with artists such as E-40, DMX and Mac Mall. He has been cultivating his rap style since writing his first rhyme in seventh grade, he said.
His stage name stands for "the complete technique of rhyme," he said.
Tech represents technique. The N9ne stands for completion, as in nine months of pregnancy or the whole nine yards, he said.
"I would describe my style as ambidextrous, left to right, front to back. It goes everywhere. I can do anything," he said.
His music mirrors his rollercoaster life. His new song "The Rain" is about being a dad on the road, and "Caribou Lou" is a tribute to his favorite drink.
"As my life progresses, gets worse, better or stays the same, I just write about it," he said.
Tech N9ne has seen his share of dark days from his youth on the streets to his life of excess.
In 1999, Tech N9ne quit drugs after overdosing on 15 pills of ecstasy. Now he is drug free, he said. But leaving drugs led to other vices.
"Now I'm addicted to women, and that can kill you also," he said. "When you play with hearts, you can get killed. And if you're not safe, you can get killed."
His current albums are a mixture of his personal struggles and kick-it style, he said. Fans are taking notice as Tech N9ne's music is making it into the mainstream.
His music was featured in the movie "Alpha Dog" and in "Madden NFL 06." He even performed on MTV's "My Super Sweet 16," and his record sales continue to climb.
"I'm the best-kept secret," he said. "I'm the guy that people whisper about in the shadows and the shadows are getting bigger and bigger."
Tech N9ne toured nonstop for the past year and is excited to bring Kansas City's backstreets to Chico. The stage will be decked out in 12- and 16-foot sets of back allies and burning trashcans.
And the man famous for his eccentric looks, including huge red-spiked hair, will be sporting a curly Afro.
"I look like Weird Al Yankovic," he said
Chico has showed him a lot of love, Tech N9ne said. And the ladies are Tech N9ne's favorite part about Chico.
"There are a lot of females from different places, and they roll in groups without their boyfriends," he said.
Tech N9ne and his opening acts are pumped about the show. Potluck, one of the opening bands, is a two-man rap group promoting its new album, "Straight Outta Humboldt." Tech N9ne describes the group as talented.
Potluck's music incorporates different styles of hip-hop and collaborations with Charlie Tuna and Kottonmouth Kings. The band has worked with Tech N9ne in the past and will tour with him for about 46 shows. Marijuana is a strong theme in their lyrics, but there is an underlying message of tolerance.
"When you see a 6-foot-5-inch, 350-pound black man and a 5-foot-6-inch, 150-pound Jewish kid, you would never think we'd be into the same stuff, but if you just remove everyone's shell, it's about the music, and it fits perfectly," said James Kerri of Potluck.
The two men have been working together since 1995 and both graduated from Humboldt State. The group has performed at house parties in Chico several times, and it is one of their biggest markets. The rappers love the festive environment here, Kerri said.
"Anytime you're an entertainer, and you go somewhere where people like to party, it's like a match made in heaven," said Kerri.
Tech N9ne and Potluck are eager to show Chico their new music and have a good time.
"Right now my main objective is to give Tech N9ne to the rest of the world, baby, and that's what I'm going to do," he said.
Laura Hauser can be reached at lhauser@theorion.com
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