Tekashi 6ix9ine’s meteoric rise has been plagued with controversy at every turn of his success. Hip-hop has a long history with artists deep in the midst of legal trouble still enjoying prosperity throughout their music careers. The Brooklyn native born Daniel Hernandez came into rap with a blemished reputation due to prior charges, as Genius confirmed Tekashi was booked on three felony counts on use of a child in a sexual performance when he was 18 year old.
6ix9ine‘s viral hit, “Gummo,” took the hip-hop world by storm in 2017. The track has enjoyed 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 12 on the chart. The official YouTube video has accumulated over 130 million views since being released on Oct. 8 of last year. “Gummo” was accompanied by more controversy surrounding how Tekashi got his hands on the hard-hitting Pierre Bourne-produced beat.
“Kooda” and “Keke” have also spent time on the Billboard Hot 100 and Tekashi’s run culminates in the release of his first major mixtape Friday (Feb. 23), Day 69.
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Below, Billboard lays out a timeline featuring the plethora of altercations, canceled shows and disputes 6ix9ine has dealt with, ranging from the inception of “Gummo” to his disagreement that turned physical at LAX on Wednesday (Feb. 21).
Oct. 2017 – “Gummo” Beat Controversy
The RondoNumbaNine-inspired artist originally obtained the “Gummo” beat from Trippie Redd through Pierre Bourne, who has since denounced his affiliation with Tekashi. Pierre’s management offered up a “no comment,” when asked to set the record straight about his production on “Gummo” to Billboard.
Bourne originally tweeted out a response saying, “Fuck that gummo shit. All y’all niggas doing weird shit some opps I swear.” Both artists seem to have separated from 69’s toxic public agenda. “Gummo” was certified gold by the R.I.A.A. on Jan. 11 of this year.
Dec. 2017 – Disses Trippie Redd While Performing “Gummo”
The feud that never seems to die. The pair used to be friendly and even collaborated on several tracks prior to Trippie learning of the sexual charges against Tekashi, where he would call him out publicly for his alleged crimes. Back in December, 6ix9ine changed up the words to “Gummo” for a diss directed at the Ohio artist, rapping, “Shout out Trippie Redd, but I fucked that n—a bitch” during a club appearance.
Dec. 2017 – Fakes His Own Death on Instagram
The self-proclaimed king of getting his Instagram deleted was at it again with the trolling antics. In a video posted to Instagram on Dec. 22, 6ix9ine is seen getting pushed in a hospital bed with his entire body covered by a white sheet. The video’s narrator says, “Rest in peace my man 6ix9ine. Rest in peace 6ix9ine, you a legend.” At the tail end of the clip, you can see Tekashi pick his head up making a joke of the potentially serious matter.
Damn… despite his comments at me … I hope Tekashi 69 is ok. Not sure what’s going on. pic.twitter.com/jRmJW9dWps
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) December 23, 2017
Jan. 2018 – Disses Casanova on “Gummo” While at the Same Club
Just like the formerly mentioned Trippie Redd diss, Tekashi went after fellow New York rapper Casanova at the top of 2018, while the pair were frequenting the same nightclub. The 21-year-old rapped on stage, “Shout out Casanova, but we f—-d that nigga b—-h.” Videos from later that night began to go viral with Casanova outside the club ready for an altercation, after 6ix9ine’s crew allegedly attempted to rob him and his wife.
Jan. 2018 – Accused of Choking Out Fan at a Mall During Meetup With Ugly God
The “Keke” artist and Ugly God linked up in Houston,TX and organized a meetup with fans on Jan. 7, which resulted in a physical altercation between Tekashi and a 16-year-old male, who alleged the rapper choked him out.
Ugly God took to Twitter to defend his hip-hop compatriot in a now deleted tweet, “You came to him while we were walking and put a camera in his face recording saying ‘ewww it’s actually the gay ice cream truck. It’s a walking lollipop. I’m right next to it.’ Which is why you muted the video you replied. So he held you by your jacket until you deleted [the video].”
Jan. 2018 – Continues Verbal Assault Against Trippie Redd
The well documented quarrel continued into 2018 with 6ix9ine firing another shot Trippie’s way on Instagram Story saying, “I don’t give a fuck who you make a song with, Drake, Swae Lee, Travis Scott, XXXTentacion. You’re biggest song is with me on it. Look it up — numbers don’t lie.”
Tekashi 69 claims Trippie Redd never had a billboard charting single and that despite Trippie Redd having songs with Drake, Swae Lee, Travis Scott and xxxtentacion.. he still passed him. pic.twitter.com/XpwmOY5kxm
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) January 17, 2018
Jan. 2018 – Shuts Down Rumors He Was Involved With “Yams Day” Brawl
After a brawl broke out at Yams Day, speculation ran rampant that 6ix9ine, who performed at the concert, was stabbed and involved in the fight backstage that led to the celebration being shut down (Jan. 18). The “Kooda” artist quickly diffused the rumors by posting a video on Instagram letting everyone know he was okay, “That had nothing to do with me. I’m perfectly fine. It’s crazy the amount of hate that goes around in this world. Yams didn’t deserve that.”
Tekashi 69 just went live to say he was not hurt or involved in the brawl at #yamsday “Yams didn’t deserve that” pic.twitter.com/gfxMRx1o4p
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) January 19, 2018
Feb. 2018 – Super Bowl Weekend Performance at Minnesota Nightclub Gets Cut Short
Multiple Minnesota gang members warned 6ix9ine about moving around in Minneapolis. Inside a Minnesota club Hernandez was scheduled to perform at the night of the Eagles Super Bowl victory (Feb. 4), Tekashi hit the stage with the “Gummo” instrumental playing in the background, and bottles and ice buckets began being thrown on stage, aimed toward the Brooklyn native. Tekashi and his team quickly retreated backstage, and his performance was canceled.
Tekashi 69 wasn’t too welcomed at his performance tonight in Minnesota . Shit went left . pic.twitter.com/KDtF7b2oN8
— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) February 5, 2018
Feb. 2018 – Multiple Los Angeles Shows Get Canceled Due to Threats
The Day 69 artist made his way to NBA All-Star Weekend (Feb. 16) where he was supposed to hold multiple shows at the Belasco theater in Los Angeles. The venue canceled the performances amid threats from rival Crip gangs in the area, after Tekashi stated he wouldn’t check in with rival gangs in any city he travels through.
Feb. 2018 – Gets Into Physical Altercation Outside Los Angeles International Airport Terminal
Before he could leave the west coast, rivals finally had their chance to approach 6ix9ine outside an LAX terminal. TMZ reported that an altercation broke out after Tekashi’s crew verbally disrespected women that rappers Acie High and Priceless happened to be dropping off at the airport.
TMZ caught up with Acie High, who said Tekashi has a history of bothering women, but revealed he wasn’t a part of the original argument and it was just his entourage before the dispute escalated, “It was just time. They was talking shit. Where we come from, we from Texas, we don’t do no shooting.”