Daniel Hernandez, professionally known as 6ix9ine, Tekashi69, or Tekashi 6ix9ine, is a multifaceted American artist, born on May 8, 1996, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City.
As a rapper, singer, songwriter, and internet personality, Hernandez has gained widespread recognition for his unique, rainbow-themed aesthetic, tattoos, aggressive rapping style, public feuds with fellow celebrities, legal issues, and controversial public persona.
Hernandez's rise to fame began in late 2017 with the release of his debut single "Gummo", which was certified platinum by the RIAA. This was followed by the release of his debut mix-tape, Day69, in early 2018, which debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
He later achieved his first top-five entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Fefe", featuring Nicki Minaj and Murda Beatz, which peaked at number three on the chart. His debut studio album, Dummy Boy, was released on November 27, 2018, after being delayed a week earlier due to his arrest, and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart.
However, Hernandez's career has been marked by controversy, including pleading guilty to using a 13-year-old child in a sexual performance in 2015. He was arrested in November 2018 on racketeering and firearm charges, among others, for which he is facing a possible life sentence in federal prison.
Born to a mother from Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico, and a Puerto Rican father, Hernandez was raised with his older brother until his father's tragic death when Hernandez was just 13. Emotionally disturbed by this event, Hernandez started to act out and was eventually expelled from school in the 8th grade for bad behavior.
Rather than continuing his education, Hernandez started working various odd jobs, including as a busboy and dealing drugs to supplement his income. He was eventually arrested for his criminal activities and sentenced to prison time at Rikers Island, where he associated himself with the Nine Trey Gangsters, a prison subset of the Bloods street gang.
Hernandez began his music career in 2014, releasing songs such as "69" and "Scumlife". However, some of his early songs were taken down by YouTube. Despite his tumultuous past, Hernandez has continued to make a name for himself in the music industry, albeit with controversy surrounding his name.
