We’ve got to hand it to Tekashi 69.
Many celebrities have been imprisoned over the years, but very few have managed to remain this relevant while serving their sentences.
Of course, that relevance is likely to get Tekashi stabbed the second he walks out of protective custody, but hey — bad press is better than no press, right?
Actually, whoever came up with that saying probably would have agreed to the addendum “unless that bad press is likely to get you straight-up murdered.”
Anyway, as you’ve probably heard, Tekashi recently took the stand and testified against two members of his former gang, the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.
As their name indicates, the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods are not a group that you want to piss off, but Tekashi — real name, Daniel Hernandez — likely felt that he had little choice.
When Hernandez was arrested for a laundry list of crimes last year, it initially looked as though he might remain behind bars for the rest of his life.
But thanks to his testimony — which led to the convictions of Anthony “Harv” Ellison and Aljermiah “Nuke” Mack – Mr. 69 could be a free man as early as next month.
When he first started snitching, it was widely assumed that Tekashi would enter witness protection upon his release.
Now, however, it seems the rapper has no intention of disappearing.
In fact, he’s reportedly planning on becoming more famous than ever.
According to TMZ, Tekashi has already sold the movie rights for his tory to fellow hip hop artist 50 Cent.
And that’s not the only wheeling and dealing Hernandez did from his cell this week.
Multiple outlets have now confirmed that Tekashi has signed a deal with his old record label, 10K Projects, that’s reportedly worth more $10 million.
While the exact terms of the agreement are under wraps, insiders claim the 69 has promised several projects to the label and plans to get to work immediately upon his release.
Obviously, the guy has a lot to celebrate these days.
But he has also many reasons to be fearful.
Even if he’s safe from violent retaliation, as he clearly believes, Tekashi’s career might be over as a result of his decision to turn state’s witness.
After all, credibility is king in the world of hip hop, and it seems unlikely that the record-buying public will rush to embrace a known snitch.