6IX9INE, also known as Tekashi69, is an American rapper, and songwriter. His music has been marked by an aggressive style of rapping, while his controversial public persona is characterized by his distinctive rainbow-colored hair, extensive tattoos, public feuds with fellow celebrities, and legal issues. In 2015 he pled guilty to a felony charge of using a child in a sexual performance.
In 2018 he was arrested on racketeering, weapons, drug charges and conspiracy to commit murder. In return for a reduced two-year sentence, Tekashi testified against his former gang associates. He was released early due to the COVID-19 pandemic following fears over his vulnerability to the disease due to his asthma condition and placed under house arrest.
6IX9INE began rapping when he was 16 years old. An early break occurred when he met the CEO of a record label who came into the Brooklyn bodega where Daniel was working. That record executive, Peter “Righteous P” Rogers ran a label called Hikari-Ultra. Peter encouraged Daniel to began releasing original songs.
His first song, appropriately titled “69”, was released in 2014. He would release a number of additional singles that year. Over the next three years Daniel, who by then adopted the name Tekashi 6ix9ine, released a series of albums and videos that earned him moderate popularity in the underground rap scene.
