6ix9ine

For similarly-named topics, see 69.

6ix9ine
Hernandez in 2018
Hernandez in 2018
Background information
Birth nameDaniel Hernandez
Also known as
  • Tekashi69[1]
  • Tekashi 6ix9ine[2]
  • Wallah Dan[3]
Born (1996-05-08) May 8, 1996 (age 28)
New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Discography6ix9ine discography
Years active
  • 2012–2018
  • 2020–present
Labels
Children2[5]
Signature

Daniel Hernandez (born May 8, 1996), known professionally as 6ix9ine (stylized in all caps and pronounced "six nine") and also as Tekashi69, is an American rapper.[6] His music has been marked by an aggressive style of rapping, while his controversial public persona is characterized by his distinctive rainbow-colored hair, many tattoos, extensive history of legal issues, and publicized celebrity feuds.[7]

Hernandez first became known for his guest performance on Trippie Redd's 2017 single "Poles 1469", followed by the release of his debut single, "Gummo" that same year, which was a sleeper hit. The latter preceded his debut mixtape Day69 (2018), which was further supported by the singles "Kooda", "Keke" (with Fetty Wap and A Boogie wit da Hoodie), and "Gotti", all of which entered the Billboard Hot 100. "Fefe" (featuring Nicki Minaj and Murda Beatz), the second single from his debut album Dummy Boy (2018), peaked at number three on the chart. Despite negative critical reception, Dummy Boy peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[8]

In 2015, Hernandez pleaded guilty to a felony count of use of a child in a sexual performance and received a four-year probation period and a 1,000-hour community service order. In 2018, he was arrested on racketeering and other weapons and drug charges. Facing a minimum of 47 years in prison,[9] he pleaded guilty to nine charges including conspiracy to commit murder and armed robbery in February 2019. During the trial, Hernandez testified for the prosecution against other Nine Trey gang members and was sentenced to two years in prison. In April 2020, he was granted early release during the COVID-19 pandemic following fears over his vulnerability to the disease due to his asthma condition. He was put on house arrest for the remainder of his term and was released in early August 2020.

Hernandez briefly maintained commercial success following his release from prison; his 2020 single "Gooba" and its follow-up, "Trollz" (with Nicki Minaj) peaked at numbers three and one on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. His second album, TattleTales (2020) debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, while his third album, Leyenda Viva (2023)—his first reggaeton album—failed to make any worldwide chart impact. Due to his role as an informant in the Nine Trey Gangsters trial, several major hip hop figures and personalities have since condemned or ostracized Hernandez, leading to a severe decimation of his public image.[10][11][12][13]

  1. ^ "Tekashi69 Has Plan to Get Out of Jail Before September Racketeering Trial". TMZ. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  2. ^ "Tekashi 6ix9ine Pleads Guilty to Nine Criminal Counts, Details Emerge". Hypebeast. February 2, 2019. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  3. ^ "10 More New Rappers You Should Know". Hypebeast. August 8, 2017. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  4. ^ "GINÉ by 6ix9ine on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "Court Hearing Reveals 6ix9ine Has a Second Child (UPDATE)". Complex. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  6. ^ "Tekashi 6ix9ine Sued for 2015 Sexual Assault of a Minor". Pitchfork. October 20, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rolling Stone biography was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Archived from the original on January 3, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  9. ^ "Tekashi 6ix9ine sentenced to two years in prison". BBC News. December 18, 2019.
  10. ^ Blais-Billie, Braudie (April 24, 2019). "YG Releases New Tekashi 6ix9ine Diss Track "Stop Snitchin"". Pitchfork.
  11. ^ "The Game and Reason Upset After 6ix9ine Visited Nipsey Hussle Mural". XXL Mag. August 14, 2020.
  12. ^ "Meek Mill's Beef With 6ix9ine, Explained". Complex.
  13. ^ "50 Cent Says He Will NOT Work With Tekashi 69, Rapper Responds By Taking Shot At His Family". The Blast. April 30, 2020. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.