Rapper Takeshi 6ix9ine has placed himself in the unenviable position of being hounded by both grave federal charges and former gang associates. Federal authorities detained the 21-year old for indulging (and dutifully recording) in gangster villainy. Not poser stuff, but the real stuff violent movies are made of. 6ix9ine’s former associates were unlike the rap artist in that they perpetrated serious crimes, including drug dealing, robbery and attempted murder. While they no doubt enjoyed the credibility that accompanied gang-life and the fear such membership struck in the minds of rivals, they don’t seem to have been in the game to supplement their rap game. The New York Times indicates that Takeshi 6ix9ine approached the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods in a bid to augment his hip-hop bona fides.

6ix9ine is cooperating with authorities, no doubt to reduce the chance of a life sentence. As is to be expected, talking to the feds may earn leniency in sentencing, but whatever he gains in reduced jail-time, he'll lose by way of street cred, and more precariously, good-standing among those who stand to lose at 6ix9ine’s cooperation. From all accounts, little distinction is made by gangs between a former member’s cooperating and a former member’s snitching, which means that for the former member, the end result is the same. It’s ironic that the very gang membership 6ix9ine courted, attained and used to enhance his stardom may cripple his fame by threatening his freedom, or worse.

The New York Times has written several articles on Takeshi 6ix9ine; here’s a link to one.