Tekashi69 Tells New York Times ‘There’s No Difference Between Me And Tupac Shakur’
Prepping for the release of his new album TattleTales on Friday (Sept, 4), controversial rapper Tekashi69 spoke to The New York Times about “snitching,” and his bad reputation. The interview was the Brooklyn rapper’s first since being released from prison, back in April.
The embattled rapper has remained a polarizing figure. However, he plans to “just keep dominating.”
“How would you feel if I go out there on the ledge and jump off that building and kill myself?” 6ix9ine asked the interviewer. “That’s what society wants me to do.”
NEWARK, NJ – OCTOBER 28: Rapper 6ix9ine performs at Power 105.1’s Powerhouse 2018 at Prudential Center on October 28, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Power 105.1)
In 2015, the rapper pleaded guilty to the use of a child in a sexual performance. “I was at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Tekashi said of the charges, stating that he isn’t a “40-year-old Jeffrey Epstein-type.”
“No other celebrity gives back as much as Daniel Hernandez,” Tekashi said. “What society is trying to do is have me crawl into a corner and say, you know what, I hate myself. I will never hate myself. I love everything I’ve been through and I will never take it back. I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever regret the lessons I learned in life, because they made me into an animal, made me into a beast. I can go through anything.”
During the interview, Tekashi compared himself to Tupac Shakur, who was convicted of felony sex abuse in 1994. “Tupac Shakur was convicted of rape. Is Tupac Shakur loved or hated? Loved! What’s the difference between me and Tupac Shakur? I never caught a rape charge — ever,” Tekashi said.
The reporter argued that Shakur was more multifaceted than the “Gooba” rapper, who only makes “fun, turn-up music.” “You’re telling me he gave back through his art? You’re lying to me,” Tekashi said. “I got to feed what, in 2020, is relevant. I got to feed the masses. There’s no difference between me and Tupac Shakur.”
Tekashi was then asked why he doesn’t make more introspective music. “I can go there, but my fans don’t want that. You don’t go to McDonald’s and get filet mignon,” Tekashi69 said.
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 22: Rapper Tekashi69, real name Daniel Hernandez and also known as 6ix9ine, Tekashi 6ix9ine, Tekashi 69, leaves after his arraignment on assault charges in County Criminal Court #1 at the Harris County Courthouse on August 22, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
The rapper also admitted that he worries about death. “At this point, it’s a lifestyle. I worry about it, but I’m not scared of it,” Tekashi said. He says that he knows not to put himself in “stupid situations.” Although he worries about dying, he said that he never considered being in the witness protection program. “F— no. They were like, ‘Yeah, it wouldn’t work anyway because your face tattoos. You’re too noticeable,’” the rapper said.
During the interview, 6ix9ine also addressed his use of the N-word. “Nobody’s going to make me stop saying n—-. I grew up in Bushwick, Brooklyn. All my friends are Black,” Tekashi said before talking about his comparison to President Donald Trump.
“I don’t think Trump trolls. I think Trump is genuinely Trump. I get compared to Trump every day. But I love Mexican people. I don’t think we’re the same,” Tekashi said. “I would vote for Trump.”
“It’s made me millions of dollars. I’m stupid, but I’m not dumb. What if I change, and I don’t make no more money? Keep hating me, because you’re going to keep tuning in,” Tekashi concluded.
