‘Its A Super Big Deal: Heres Why Tech N9ne Is Thrilled To Flip Plaza Lights Switch

Before he became famous hip-hop artist Tech N9ne, a young Aaron Yates spent every Thanksgiving night watching the lights of the Country Club Plaza. So it's great to be the one to turn on that light this year.

“It’s a big deal because I’ve been a spectator for as long as I can remember,” Tech said. “When I was little, we would walk around the square and we could never cross Main Street because it was too busy. But now I'll be closer than ever."

Kansas City celebrities have received the award, including Heidi Gardner, Jason Sudeikis, Paul Rudd, Kate Spade and Mayor Sly James, but Tech N9ne will be the first hip-hop artist to receive the award.

“This is a historic moment and for my legacy it means we are going in the right direction,” he said.

Fans may say the award is a little late for the man who has always been one of Kansas City's brightest champions, but he's glad to finally be recognized. Teh, 52, grew up when the Plaza was not particularly welcoming to blacks. The king of independent music hopes his performance will attract the attention of the entire community.

“It’s a beautiful thing,” Tech said. “The younger generation will see Tech N9ne doing something like this and realize they can do it.”

With the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl, Taylor Swift hanging out with Travis Kelce and hip-hop artist A$AP Rocky, filming a music video in the West Bottoms and bringing his girlfriend Rihanna along, Tech is grateful there's more attention on KC.

On November 17, he appeared on Good Morning America (GMA3) and, along with co-star and Kansas City native Eric Stonestreet, had the honor of announcing the program's $5 million in tuition grants to 105 low-income students in Kansas City. . KS Masterpiece.

His label, Strange Music, will partner with the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs to release two limited edition jackets and jerseys that will be available exclusively at the Pro Shop at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium starting December 9th.

"I couldn't control myself," Tech said. “The red jacket I wore on Good Morning America was a collaboration we had with the Chiefs and the NFL, and they said they had never done a collaboration like this with an artist.”

He will take a short break from his touring schedule to spend the holidays with his family. This year he can't wait to decorate his house with a 12-foot Christmas tree. Teh will marry his fiancée on July 20 in front of 200 close friends and family.

Hip-hop artist Quixoti will perform Thursday after the Plaza lights come up, as will DJ Kirby and The Elders. He said the lighting ceremony will be a historic night not only for Kansas City hip-hop, but for the music world as a whole.

“He’s a great person for our community,” Teck said. “This is motivation for the new generation. We do this to inspire."

The 94th annual Plaza lighting ceremony will begin Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Country Club Plaza. The lights will remain on every night until January 14th.

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