6ix9ine is facing another battle, this time with Fashion Nova.
While he remains behind bars, the controversial rapper is being sued by the clothing retailer for $2.25 million. According to TMZ, Tekashi made a deal with Fashion Nova to promote the brand through posts on his social media pages and through his music.
Tekashi was paid an advance of $225,000 in October 2018. Two weeks after he received the payment, he was arrested and was unable to fulfill his contract. Fashion Nova also claims that Tekashi’s testimony during his high-profile trial was damaging to his ability to be a good brand ambassador and that they were blindsided by his criminal activity, which his team allegedly tried to withhold from them.
As part of his deal, Tekashi was supposed to name check Fashion Nova on his Dummy Boy single “MAMA.” Instead, he referenced women’s brand Apple Bottoms. “Splish splash Apple Bottoms make that ass phat,” he raps on the Nicki Minaj and Kanye West-assisted track.
TMZ previously reported that the lyric was changed because it “enraged” Minaj, who requested that he remove the Fashion Nova reference. Her rival Cardi B is a Fashion Nova ambassador.
Tekashi is set to be released from prison on Aug. 2. He was originally facing 47 years to life on racketeering and firearms charges, but received a reduced sentence after testifying against members of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.