Akon is reaching out a hand to 6ix9ine.

While many in the hip-hop community have disassociated with Tekashi, Akon has extended an olive branch. Speaking with DJ Whoo Kid on Instagram Live, Akon passionately defended the embattled rapper, who cooperated with the feds and snitched on members of his former gang, the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, in return for a reduced sentence.

“There’s no reason why he should have been in the position where he snitched,” he said. “His homies should have took that for him. Them ni**as that claim to be real Gs and all that, they should have took that for him ’cause he’s the football. You always protect the football. You don’t ever put the artist in the position where he has to cover for y’all.”

Akon took it one step further, saying he would be down to collaborate with 6ix9ine. “I’ma feature on that record. Matter fact, I’m about to call Tekashi right now and say, ‘Yo T, what we doing?’ I’m about to get on that record.”

He believes their song would be a hit just because of the interest surrounding Tekashi’s high-profile case. “That record probably be the hottest record that drop this year. Even if you don’t like him, you gon’ get it, download it just out of curiosity.”

He went on to express sympathy for the 23-year-old rapper. “Believe me, Tekashi got my support. We gotta teach them. We can’t just pull a brother down when they’re down or kick ’em even harder when they’re down.”

Since his release from prison to home confinement earlier this month, 6ix9ine has been working on new music as part of his renewed deal with 10K Projects. He has reportedly set up a studio at his house and is recording English and Spanish albums.