6ix9ine’s “Gummo” Streaming Numbers Soar Amid Controversy

Daniel Hernandez, better known by his stage name 6ix9ine, is a Brooklyn-born rapper who currently has one of the hottest songs on the internet. 6ix9ine’s “Gummo” has amassed over 28 million YouTube views since its release in October and has collected over 3 million streams on Spotify. From his rainbow-colored hair and matching grills, to the numerous No. 69 tattoos all over his body, the young Bushwick, Brooklyn rapper, who also goes by Teka$hi 6ix9ine, has a unique outer presence. He's been popping up more and more on the web over the last two months, however, controversy surrounds him.

Confirmed by Genius, Teka$hi 6ix9ine has pled guilty to three felony counts of use of a child in a sexual performance. At the time of the crime, the rapper says he was 17 years old. The victim’s age is unconfirmed.

The news surfaced in August when rapper ZillaKami, a one-time friend of 6ix9ine, posted an Instagram video of a shirtless Teka$hi grabbing the breasts of a young lady wearing only a bra. Zilla claims the girl is only 13.

When the image began to spread, Tekashi sarcastically confirmed Zilla‘s accusations on Snapchat. But court documents later surfaced with details that a man named Daniel Hernandez pleaded guilty to three counts of sex with a minor. Since these allegations have come to light, Teka$hi 6ix9ine has continually denied the charges. Teka$hi’s rep also denied the charges in a statement sent to Mass Appeal back in August, saying, “he doesn’t even like to say the R word [rape], we don’t play around with that shit. As someone with a 3-year-old daughter we take this very seriously… Their whole thing was to try to slander his name and make him look terrible.”

As for the rapper's music, there is also an issue with the beat for “Gummo.” Pierre Bourne produced the track, but the beat was originally given to Trippie Redd. However, Trippie sent the beat to 6ix9ine, which eventually became the song now known as “Gummo.” Pierre, who was not aware of what Trippie did, distanced himself from the song and said he will never work with Trippie Redd or 6ix9ine. "Y'all niggas is opps, no more trippie n pierre y'all ruined it," Pierre wrote on Instagram.

Teka$hi 6ix9ine and Trippie Redd have had a tumultuous friendship throughout the year. They collaborated on Trippie’s A Love Letter to You track “Poles 1469” and “Owee,” which also features Uno The Activist.

But things went sour publicly when Trippie denounced Teka$hi after ZillaKami posted the video of Teka$hi and the alleged underage woman. In a now deleted Instagram post, Trippie stated, “I’m sorry brozay, 1400 don’t promote pedophiles… If we give niggas clout, we give niggas clout. It was an accident.” The beef appeared to be over when it was discovered that Trippie passed the “Gummo” beat to Teka$hi. However, recent news suggests that their friendship is over for good after Trippie went on Instagram live and shared news that he was attacked in a New York hotel lobby by someone associated with Teka$hi.

“Bro a bitch," Trippie said in the video. "Bro had niggas waiting for me at my hotel. Some Nine Trey [a New York set of the Bloods] niggas. Soon as I walk in the building, hit right in my mouth, nigga. Then my niggas beat his niggas’ asses and then they ran. I chased the niggas mostly myself, I ran them niggas down myself.”

6ix9ine later confirmed his involvement in the incident. Trippie responded by traveling to 6ix9ine’s Brooklyn neighborhood and allegedly waited for him outside of his mom’s house.

Last week, Teka$hi 6ix9ine did a more detailed interview with DJ Akademiks about the felony counts against him. He claims the underage girl lied about her age, stating she was 19 when he met her. Teka$hi states he's not a pedophile.

With all the controversy that Teka$hi 6ix9ine is involved in, his popularity is still climbing. From the way the song is ascending, it won’t be long until “Gummo” debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song's position on Spotify’s Rap Caviar playlist has led to over 3 million streams on the platform. Now the question remains will a major record label sign him. History suggests someone will take a chance on a controversial artist who can make hit records. Teka$hi is currently signed to an indie label which is run by Elliot Grainge. This is also the same label Trippie Redd is signed to.

Watch Teka$hi 6ix9ine's video for "Gummo" below.

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