Rap music 69 has come under criticism from all corners of society for its explicit sexual content and violent imagery as well as profane language, prompting controversy on both sides of the political divide. But some believe that its messages come directly from disenfranchised America and thus require all possible protections under the First Amendment.
Tekashi69
Tekashi69 is one of hip-hop’s most controversial rappers. Known for his aggressive gangsta rap style and contentious social media presence, as well as criminal activities (he’s been charged with conspiring to murder people and racketeering). Additionally, there has been controversy regarding his feud with fellow rapper Trippie Redd.
In his music, Tekashi69 uses an extremely fast tempo and often employs autotune. His vocals lack quality, his flow is inconsistent, he often screams his lyrics (very annoying!), they lack creativity as well. Influences from artists like 2Pac, DMX and 50 Cent can be heard; additionally 69 is often featured as a number in many of his songs.
He is well-known among fans of rap music for his distinct tattoos on his body and controversial lifestyle; in music videos he can often be seen smoking marijuana and flaunting expensive cars, and wearing gold chains with diamond-encrusted watches.
Tekashi69 has become extremely wealthy despite his violent past. He has signed various appearance and contract deals which could earn him millions in earnings, in addition to earning substantial streaming royalties payments.
Tekashi69 can often be seen giving out donations during his free time, including giving out $2,000,000 to fight global hunger via his song “GOTTI.” In addition, he has provided money to struggling communities throughout New York City.
Tekashi69 has long been criticized for his unpredictable and violent actions toward his fans, such as choking one fan in a mall or threatening an ex-partner with guns. Yet despite such incidents, the rapper still managed to maintain a large following online; his debut album Dummy Boy debuted at number two on Billboard 200 with its mix of genres spanning trap, hip-hop and reggaeton tracks.
6ix9ine
Tekashi 6ix9ine, commonly known by his stage name 6ix9ine, first gained fame with his debut single “GUMMO.” Since then, he has released several albums and become known for his colorful hair and tattoos as well as engaging in several contentious legal issues.
Born Daniel Hernandez of Brooklyn, New York City, 6ix9ine hails from both cultures equally and has been deeply shaped by both. As a star baseball player courted by major league scouts for years prior to witnessing his stepfather being shot dead right in front of him; however, after this event his life drastically altered as an act out student eventually leading him out of school and living in poverty for several years prior to starting to rap under various names such as Wallah Dan, Danny Loaf, Tekashi69 before adopting 6ix9ine as his current moniker in 2017.
His rise to stardom has not come without controversy. His aggressive, full-throated delivery of often violent rhymes has drawn comparisons to gangsta rap. Additionally, his lifestyle includes rainbow-dyed hair and grills; more than 200 tattoos bearing variations of his stage name cover his body.
6ix9ine has long been active on social media and movies alike, featuring in various cameo roles. His recent arrest for allegedly assaulting a police officer has marred his reputation, reminding us that hip-hop music may sometimes be misused to spread political propaganda against law enforcement agencies.
6ix9ine’s legal issues do not deter him from producing music; his latest single, “Trollz,” featuring Nicki Minaj is testament to how music can bring people joy despite oppressive situations; it’s unfortunate that legal authorities have taken such a rigid stance toward a genre meant to inspire its listeners; this only further limits creativity and denies artists their freedom of expression.
Lil Pump
Lil Pump, a Florida rapper best known for his catchy trap-influenced songs, has seen an exponential surge in his fame due to a quickening rise. His music is vibrant and energetic with catchy melodies and heavy use of autotune; although some criticize his shallow lyrics, his charismatic persona has attracted an enormous fan base.
Lil Pump began his musical journey as a rapper at 13 years old when he collaborated on writing raps with Smokepurpp. Soon afterwards, record producer Omar Pineiro discovered him and helped sign him onto Warner Records’ roster.
Lil Pump made great strides as a musician despite being just 15 when he signed his contract, setting new charts ablaze with hit singles like “Eskeetit” and “Gucci Gang”, with his debut album also garnering great acclaim. Lil Pump has also established himself beyond music through various brand collaborations and endorsement deals that have contributed significantly to his net worth.
Like many young rappers, Lil Pump has struggled with drug abuse and addiction. After being arrested for possession of marijuana in 2016, but being released following court hearing, he pledged his commitment to quitting and has begun working with a rehabilitation counselor to break his habit.
He has become well-known for his controversial lyrics and social media antics. Most notably, in February 2018 he was accused of posting racist comments on Instagram, leading him to be banned for one week from Twitter; this caused a great deal of outrage from fans, who took to the web in protesting this action by taking to the comments section to voice their displeasure with what had transpired.
Lil Pump has made headlines for his controversial lyrics, yet has managed to capitalize on them and become one of the most successful hip-hop artists in America. He boasts a substantial fan base on Instagram and YouTube; his songs have charted across various countries; additionally he is expanding his business interests and working on developing clothing lines as part of a new clothing line project – all this has propelled him into one of the leading figures of today’s music industry.
Gucci Mane
Gucci Mane’s extensive discography and loyal fanbase have propelled him to the heights of rap music. Beyond performing, however, this Atlanta-based rapper has an uncanny talent for discovering future stars – many successful acts today can thank Gucci Mane’s influence such as Migos, Future and Young Thug for their success.
Gucci Mane was born Radric Delantic Davis in Bessemer, Alabama on February 12th 1980 and his early life was marked by crime and drugs. At an early age he was introduced to hip hop music thanks to his older half brother taking him to see Run-DMC and Beastie Boys perform; later selling crack cocaine in order to finance his musical ambitions. Now in his book Gucci Mane: Trap House to Prison and Back Again the rapper provides insights into his early life and how it led him down his current path of success.
Gucci Mane managed to maintain an outstanding academic record throughout high school and even earn a scholarship to Georgia Perimeter College despite his criminal past. Unfortunately, drug dealing eventually took over his lifestyle, leading him down an unpredictable path of arrests and jail time totalling 10 years, plus numerous parole violations.
After his imprisonment, Gucci decided to revamp his career and form 1017 Brick Squad Records as his own record label. Since then, this label has become the springboard for several young artists’ careers, such as Waka Flocka Flame and Pooh Shiesty; often seen as mentor figures due to their effortless style and affinity for ice.
Gucci Mane will release his sophomore album, Mr. Davis, on October 13. This project marks a new era for him with guest appearances from major artists like The Weeknd, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky and Lil Pump among many others. We review it and select 20 of his best lyrics that’ll get us ready for winter.