On Tuesday, a federal judge in Manhattan threw controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine back into jail for violating the terms of his supervised release in a stunning turn of events. A federal judge in Manhattan ordered the detention of the 28-year-old, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, for at least the next two weeks.
According to prosecutors, Tekashi’s long list of alleged infractions includes testing positive for methamphetamine, skipping court-ordered drug tests, and taking an unauthorized trip to Las Vegas. The rapper was also over an hour late to his scheduled court appearance on Tuesday morning, infuriating the presiding judge, Paul A. Engelmayer.
“I’m not a bad person,” Tekashi pleaded to the judge, claiming the positive drug tests were the result of his prescription Adderall medication. He also insisted the Las Vegas trip was simply a “misunderstanding” since he thought he had permission to travel there for a concert. Engelmayer, however, remained unmoved, asserting that Tekashi had demonstrated a “broader pattern” of flouting the law.
This latest legal saga marks another chapter in the turbulent life of the polarizing rapper. Tekashi first burst onto the scene in 2017 with his hit single “Gummo,” quickly rising to fame with his signature rainbow-haired, face-tattooed look and brash persona. But his success was shortlived, as he soon found himself embroiled in a web of criminal charges.
Tekashi’s involvement with the notorious Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods gang led to his arrest in 2018 on racketeering, firearms, and drug trafficking charges. However, the rapper managed to avoid a lengthy prison sentence by cooperating with federal authorities and testifying against his former gang members. This decision to “snitch” on his cohorts earned him the scorn of many in the hip-hop community, but it also secured him a reduced sentence of just two years behind bars.
Tekashi’s legal troubles continued long after his release from prison in 2020. Since then, authorities have arrested him multiple times, including a bust in the Dominican Republic for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend and an incident in Florida where they caught him speeding at 136 mph. And now, with this latest probation violation, the rapper finds himself back in custody.
In court on Tuesday, Tekashi pleaded with Judge Engelmayer, telling him, “Freedom is everything for me.” But the judge remained unconvinced, citing the rapper’s “full spectrum disregard for the law.” Engelmayer detained Tekashi until the next hearing on November 12th, during which they will decide whether to allow him to remain free.
Lance Lazzaro, Tekashi’s attorney, maintains that the accusations against his client are merely “technical” in nature and will ultimately result in dismissal. However, the judge’s stern response suggests that Tekashi’s pattern of legal troubles may finally be catching up with him.
Many in the hip-hop world wonder if Tekashi 6ix9ine will ever be able to overcome the shadow of his past transgressions as they watch this latest saga unfold. With his freedom once again in jeopardy, Tekashi 6ix9ine confronts the challenging task of regaining the trust of both the courts and the public. Only time will tell if Tekashi can finally stay out of trouble and focus on his music career, or if his penchant for controversy will continue to land him behind bars.