Tech N9ne, an icon in the world of underground rap, comes to Anchorage

Tech N9ne was gifted his name by a gangster named Black Walt when he was 17 years old.

"He said my style was like a gun; he said I sounded like an automatic weapon."

Tech N9ne, born Aaron Yates, is a Kansas City, Missouri, rapper best known for his hits "Hood Go Crazy" and "Caribou Lou." He'll perform at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage on Saturday, June 24.

Yates wrote his first rhyme at 14. From an early age he was noticed for his quick flow and sharp enunciation, a kind of rap known as "chopper" style.

"Tech is short for technique, and the number nine is the number of completion. I am the complete technique of rhyme," Yates said.

In the '90s Yates was a member of three rap groups before eventually starting his own record label, Strange Music, with partner Travis O'Guin in 1999. After severing ties with a major label in 2001, Yates began releasing his music on his own label with 2002's "Absolute Power."

Yates found early inspiration in the records of Ice Cube, N.W.A. and Public Enemy and began experimenting with the speed of his rhymes after hearing Slick Rick's "The Great Adventures of Slick Rick." But Yates, who describes himself as a fan of all music, was also inspired by the music of artists like The Doors and Roger Troutman, a well-regarded funk musician whose works have been regularly sampled in West Coast hip-hop.

Troutman, in particular, had a lasting impact on Yates. As a 12-year-old he went door-to-door, charging $5 to shovel driveways in Kansas City in order to save up for "I Want to Be Your Man" on vinyl. Fifteen years later, Troutman agreed to re-recording "I Want to Be Your Man" with Yates. The pair reworked the song together and created "Twisted," the closing track on 2001's "Anghellic."

"That blew me away," Yates said. "I shoveled snow to get that record as a youngster."

Yates has been meticulous in crafting his persona; he combines his aggressive sound with bold theatrics. Yates draws human skulls, jungle cats and geometric patterns on his face for live performances. "It's about entertainment. If you entertain, they will remain," Yates said.

"True, I don't need to because my lyrics alone are elite, but I care about the craft. I care that (the fans) have a good time. I was taught to be an entertainer."

One of his most entertaining songs live is "Fragile." The critically acclaimed track is notable for it's rapid-fire lyric delivery.

"Seeing people's face when I do those impossible verses … I love to see them in awe because I put my all into it. You have to be a madman to do these songs every night without messing up," Yates said.

Twenty years into his career, Yates is still creating. He is currently in the midst of writing lyrics for his 19th studio album. Yates said as long as life keeps happening, Tech N9ne will keep recording; everything is inspiration.

"Fears are going away every day, and when you're fearless you can say whatever the f— you wanna say."

Zakiya McCummings is a features intern at Alaska Dispatch News. She has worked as a reporter for the Anchorage Press, the Associated Press and Salon. Follow her on Twitter: @realzakiya.