It’s 6ix9ine’s 30th birthday! The controversial rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was born on May 8, 1996, in New York City. He is also known as Tekashi69 and Tekashi 6ix9ine.
6ix9ine began rapping in 2012 and began releasing songs in 2014. He is best known for the 2017 single “Gummo,” the 2018 single “Fefe,” and the 2020 single “Gooba.”
On the day 6ix9ine celebrates becoming a tricenarian, let’s take a photographic journey through his life. We’ll start with before he was famous, and go all the way up to how he looks today.
6ix9ine Before Fame
Per his IMDb biography, 6ix9ine was born in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City to a mother originally from Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico and a Puerto Rican father.
He was raised with his older brother, Oscar, by both of his parents until he was 13, when his father was tragically shot dead just a few feet away from the family home.
Early Fame
Although 6ix9ine began making and releasing music in around 2014 — including the single “69,” which inspired his stage name — none of his songs charted at this time.
It was around this period that he began to develop his distinctive rainbow-themed look and aggressive style of rapping.
The Mid-Late 2010s
GettyIn the mid-late 2010s, the rapper’s career really began to take off.
In 2017, he rose to mainstream fame when his singles “Gummo” and “Kooda” peaked in the United States charts at 12 and 50, respectively.
He released several singles in 2018, including “Fefe,” which featured Nicki Minaj and Murda Beatz and reached number 3 in the charts.
His album “Dummy Boy” also reached number 2 in the U.S. album charts in 2018.
The Early 2020s
GettyThe star had a hugely successful 2020, with his single “Gooba” peaking in the charts at 3 and “Trolls,” with Nicki Minaj again, giving him his first number 1.
Since 2020, his music hasn’t performed as well as he might like, but he’s had some critically acclaimed singles. They include 2021’s “Zaza” and 2022’s “Giné.”
He’s also enjoyed further collaborations with notable stars, including Grupo Firme on 2023’s “Y Ahora,” his ex-girlfriend Yailin La Más Viral on 2023’s “Pa Ti,” and Kodak Black on 2023’s “Shaka Laka.”
His album “TattleTales” peaked at number 4 in the album charts in 2020.
6ix9ine Today
In 2026, 6ix9ine is looking healthy (and more colorful than ever, given his bright style choices and countless tattoos) and, seemingly, keeping himself out of trouble.
6ix9ine’s two most recent singles were released in 2025. However, neither “Poppa” or “Hanna” charted.
All things considered, he has released five albums, 29 singles and EPs, and one compilation.
He has also featured on the singles of several other prominent artists, including those of Trippie Redd, Uncle Murda, Jimilian, Lacrim, Jasiah, and Massaka.
He regularly posts on his Instagram account, where he currently has a whopping 24 million followers.
We’d like to wish the talented 6ix9ine the happiest of 30th birthdays. We hope he has a most enjoyable day celebrating.
6ix9ine’s discocraphy info was courtesy of Discogs.
