Tech 9 (Battle Rapper)

Born on October 27, 1986, Tech 9 (real name Akhiym Mickens, alternately spelled Akeem Mickens) was a legendary battle rapper and co-host of Champion from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He passed away in his sleep on the night of March 24, 2019, at the age of 32, according to Newsweek (although other outlets had erroneously reported that he was 48 when he died). His untimely passing was first confirmed to XXL Magazine in a direct statement from Tech 9’s friend, fellow Philly battler Buttah From Da Block, via a Facebook post.

Dozens of mainstream rap artists and battle rap personalities paid their respects to the battle rapper/commentator, from Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, Joe Budden, and Strange Music co-founder Tech N9ne (whom many people initially thought had passed on), to Hitman Holla, Aye Verb, Nu Jerzey Twork, Shotgun Suge, and King of the Dot, and many more.

A week after his death, court documents showed that Tech was supposed to show up in court the morning after he died for a number of charges related to sexual assault with a minor and child pornography.

Below is a list of all of Tech 9’s league battles in chronological order:

2008
#1. T-Rex vs. Tech 9 (12-3-2008)
#2. Arsonal vs. Tech 9 (12-?-2008)

2009
#3. Tech 9 vs. Goodz (8-30-2009)

2010
#4. Head ICE vs. Tech 9 (2-6-2010)
#5. Tech 9 vs. X-Factor (8-29-2010)

2011
#6. Tech 9 vs. Rich Dolarz (3-27-2011)
#7. Midwest Miles vs. Tech 9 (8-7-2011)

2012
#8. DNA vs. Tech 9 (3-25-2012)
#9. Bill Collector vs. Tech 9 (9-26-2012)

2013
#10. Cortez vs Tech 9 (5-17-2013) (Vaulted)

2014
#11. O-Solo vs. Tech 9 (7-27-2014)

2015
#12. Tech 9 vs. Shotgun Suge (3-29-2015)
#13. Impact vs. Tech 9 (11-15-2015)

2016
#14. Tech 9 vs. Jerry Wess (8-26-2016)

2018
#15. Tech 9 vs. Jimz (6-2-2018)
#16. Geechi Gotti vs. Tech 9 (7-8-2018)