Topline
6ix9ine, the controversial rapper whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was arrested Tuesday in New York for alleged violations of his supervised release from prison in 2020, the latest in nearly a decade of legal issues for the 28-year-old.
The rapper was released from prison in 2020. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images,)
Key Facts
Hernandez was arrested on a warrant by New York’s Southern District Court on Tuesday, according to a court order.
The rapper allegedly violated conditions of his supervised prison release, though the exact violations were not specified in the court order.
The order was issued by district judge Paul A. Engelmayer, the same judge that sentenced Hernandez to prison in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to racketeering, weapons and drug charges, and granted his early release in 2020 because of concerns over Hernandez’s asthma during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Why Was 6ix9ine In Prison?
The rapper was sentenced to two years in prison, five years of supervised release and 300 hours of community service in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, as well as other charges of firearms and drug trafficking. The charges stem from his involvement with the Nine Trey Gang, of which several other members were also charged. Prosecutors said the gang “wreaked havoc on New York City” and were behind shootings at the Barclays Center and other locations, and Hernandez admitted during a court testimony that he ordered a $20,000 hit on the rapper Chief Keef. Hernandez, who had initially pleaded not guilty, changed his plea after striking a deal to cooperate with prosecutors and testify against other gang members. The deal reduced his sentence, which could have otherwise led to him spending decades in prison. He was released on compassionate grounds in April 2020 after his lawyers argued he was at high risk for complications from Covid-19.
Surprising Fact
Hernandez’s arrest comes just days after Chicago rapper Lil Durk, with whom Hernandez has feuded for years, was arrested for alleged connection in a murder-for-hire plot that targeted rapper Quando Rondo. Though no link between the two arrests has been established, Hernandez’s arrest sparked immediate social media speculation that the two arrests may be connected.
Who Is 6ix9ine?
Hernandez, known for his rainbow hair, many tattoos and aggressive rapping style, quickly rose to fame in 2018 following his breakout hit “Gummo” and collaborations with Fetty Wap and Nicki Minaj. His debut album, “Dummy Boy,” was released in November 2018, days after his arrest, and is certified platinum. He is also known by the name Tekashi69, or Tekashi 6ix9ine.
Key Background
Hernandez has faced several high-profile legal issues, including his guilty plea in 2015 to using a minor in a sexual performance that was recorded, for which he was later sentenced to 4 years probation and 1,000 hours of community service. He was arrested in 2018 for allegedly choking a 16-year-old in a Houston mall, though the charges were later dropped. During testimony in his Nine Trey Gang trial, he admitted to abusing his ex-girlfriend throughout their relationship between 2011 and 2018. His ex-girlfriend told The Daily Beast he beat her so badly she “could barely open my eyes” and “forced me to have sex with him.” He was arrested twice in the Dominican Republic between October 2023 and January 2024, first for allegedly assaulting music producers and then for domestic violence charges.
Further Reading
Tekashi 6ix9ine: A Timeline of Terrible Behavior (Rolling Stone)
Rapper Tekashi69 granted early release from prison over coronavirus concerns (ABC News)
