Tekashi 6ix9ine announced a new music video to be released next week, promising to "break the internet, in an Instagram post on Wednesday, March 20.
The post showed the rapper seated with a kitten on each hand, accompanied by the caption "Next video will break the Internet," and announcing that he's pushing the release back until next Friday, May 29.
View this post on InstagramNEXT VIDEO WILL BREAK THE INTERNET IM PUSHING IT BACK TILL NEXT FRIDAY MAY 29TH A post shared by IM BACK AND THEY MAD (@6ix9ine) on May 20, 2020 at 12:31pm PDT
His announcement comes hot on the heels of his latest hit, "GOOBA," whose chart-topping prospects fell a few notches short and landed on the third spot, behind Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj's "Say So" at No. 2 and Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber's "Stuck With U."
Tekashi 6ix9nine then made accusations that "you can buy Number Ones on Billboard," disclosing their supposed investigation on the matter and presenting a tentative list of their songs' sales performance. He even posted on Instagram a picture of himself holding six credit cards and saying that "we going #1 next time."
Billboard answered the rapper's allegations and explained their charting processes in an article last Monday, May 18. Even Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber have weighed in on the issue, denying the allegations that they bought their spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Bieber explained in his Instagram story that five or more copies of a song are bought with the same credit card, those sales are discounted from the recorded chart sales. This agrees with Billboard's article explaining that bulk purchases are filtered out from the final sales numbers.
On the other hand, Grande shared her gratitude on an Instagram post and stressed that her and Justin's fans bought the song. She also sent a message "to anybody that is displeased with their placement on the chart" to "take a moment to humble yourself, be grateful you're even here."
The recently-released rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, responded to Grande in another Instagram post. He clarified that he was not against the "Dangerous Woman" singer, but that she "will never under [his] pain." 6ix9ine then pointed out the difference between Ari, who appeared on Disney shows when she was younger, to his own life, sharing how he had to wash dishes.
Tekashi 6ix9ine started gaining widespread fame in 2017 with his sleeper hit "Gummo." His lead single from his 2018 debut album "Dummy Boy," featured Murda Beetz and Nicki Minaj and peaked at the No. 3 spot of the Hot 100.
He was arrested in November 2018 for federal racketeering and firearms charges, allegedly being a part of the Nine Trey Gangsters. He later pled guilty to nine charges and was due to be sentenced for up to 47 years in prison. His lawyers made a plea deal and the rapper testified against the members of the Nine Trey Gang, shortening his sentence down to two years.
He was released March 22, as a part of his request for an early release, instead of his original August 2, 2020 release. His legal team argued that his pre-existing asthma put him at a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Tekashi was moved into home confinement.
