Review: Tekashi 6ix9ine Should’ve Kept “Dummy Boy” Until His Prison Release

Since exploding onto the scene with 2017’s “GUMMO,” Tekashi 6ix9ine’s burgeoning career has been shrouded in controversy. From the highly publicized 2015 child sex case to his aggressive social media presence, he’s had the cards stacked against him since day one.

But as the Hip Hop community watched his lightning speed trajectory reach its peak, the polarizing rap figure’s momentum suddenly crashed. His tough talk finally caught up with him last month when he was arrested on several felonious charges stemming from his alleged affiliations with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods gang.

Now locked up in a New York penitentiary somewhere facing racketeering and weapons charges, the rainbow-loving rapper has to watch his debut album Dummy Boy hit No. 2 on the Billboard 200 from behind bars.

The project itself has already been problematic. Following 6ix9ine’s apprehension, the 13-track album was promptly delayed, only for it to be leaked a few days later. Despite his mounting challenges, 6ix9ine forged ahead with Dummy Boy‘s official release much to the delight of his hardcore (and endlessly loyal) fans.

First and foremost, the album almost immediately sets the listener up for disappointment. “STOOPID” featuring fellow incarcerated rapper Bobby Shmurda is an infectious 1:44-minute banger that seemingly sets a rowdy tone for the rest of the 34-minute effort. However, that’s not the case.

The Nicki Minaj-assisted “FEFE” quickly ditches 6ix9ine’s gritty thrash rap for a subdued barrage of lackluster bars. The morose tone continues through “TIC TOC” with Lil Baby before Tory Lanez brings the mellow tropical vibes on “KIKA.”

While 6ix9ine’s style is reminiscent of DMX’s raspy yell-rap, whenever the tempo is reinvigorated it’s hard not to envision his multi-colored grill spraying spit everywhere as he screams his sophomoric musings at his audience.

In total, there are four standout cuts that highlight 6ix9ine’s penchant for crafting catchy singles — “STOOPID,” the Scott Storch-produced “WONDO,” “KANGA” featuring Kanye West and “WAKA” with A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. Otherwise, the Caribbean-flavored love smatterings in between sound like joints that should have been left on the cutting room floor — or handed over to Sean Paul.

Although songs like “BEBE” kindly pay tribute to 6ix9ine’s Puerto Rican roots, his rapping quickly proves to be tolerable in tiny, almost microscopic doses, while the album closer “DUMMY” is like a carbon copy of the homogenized sound currently infiltrating mainstream rap.

Even with the help of rap royalty like Nicki and Kanye, Dummy Boy fails to propel his perceived artistry to another level. It’s a continuation of his unquenchable thirst for attention and notoriety, much like his social media persona.

If 6ix9ine does manage to weasel his way out of his suffocating legal woes, the hype that once surrounded the blindly ambitious 22-year-old “King of New York” might already be a thing of the past.

The album’s saving grace could’ve been manifested in 6ix9ine’s live shows — if he were around to perform it. But as it stands, the music on Dummy Boy certainly isn’t going to provide him the longevity he so desperately needs to stay relevant.

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61 thoughts on “Review: Tekashi 6ix9ine Should’ve Kept “Dummy Boy” Until His Prison Release

    1. Its not about old or new, its specifically about this rainbow colored clown, lets just move on and never look back again

  1. Album is Lit. Problem with people is that because they don’t like his image and his antics they chose not to like his music. Although I’m not a big fan of the way he carries himself on social media I can’t deny that his music is ?.

    1. Watsup with the question mark at the end? Did you just doubt everything you said? His music is bottom of the dumpster thrash

    2. Respect your opinion Key but his looks has nothing to do it but hip hop is all about lyrics and flow… if he had any of that I’d be the first one rockin with him regardless of his looks….

  2. At least a 3.5 the hottest tracks are DUMMY & WAKA with a few other exceptions. he at least has diversity with the Regaton hits which garners him some global presence. Cant be too mad at it. Shit bangs in the ride if like to bump.

  3. I ain’t rockin with majority of the new generation of rappers but I would comfortably call him the worst… damn! I was never interested to even discover his music but decided to give this album a shot due to all the controversy around him now and what a waste of time! The dude did nothing but curse and repeat himself throughout the album… but i ain’t hatin if he’s got fans, I’ll just skip… I’ll give it a 2 to show some respect to a few good features…

  4. In today’s standard, this album is really good. Album full of hits, beats are on point and lyrics are…well standard as well. Its a huge improvement from day69….The hottest song on this is kika.

    1. Respect your opinion but there is no need to talk about today’’s standards as we’ve had albums from Eminem, Nas, Jay Z, and Royce this year…

  5. No standards and I can’t believe so many will accept anything and call it music or talent. He can’t talk, no flow, terrible beats and has nothing to say? This is a zero.

  6. This album got me all hyped! Listening to 6ix9ine makes me feel like I can run through a wall.
    And FEEFA is one of those tracks that makes me feel sad for Tekashi.

    And the beats are crazy af.

    1. How much they pay your for that and where do I apply? Do I only have to act like I listen to his music, or do they give you a bunch of other hoax artists to choose from?

    2. I ain’t going as far as 5/5 but 3/5 possibly even 4/5 yea. The beats are definitely sick the album ok while he lacks in depth lyrics ain’t no one listening for some conscious shhh we listen to get hyped. Six 9ine makes me wanna get the tools n go to work on the opps or go kick someone in the face. Good gym music too

  7. He might be trash but he got the personality and the wave right now. The youth Ridin wit em tho. Can’t blame em…I thought the youngbloodz, Dem franchise boys, and crime mob was the shit once upon a time. It is what it is.

  8. This dude never “exploded” anywhere with any song. Nobody hears his music in real life. Nobody bumps him. His entire career is a publicity stunt hoax. Just like Trinidad James. They just perfected it this time. Ask yourself when did you ever hear anybody in real life talking about him or playin his music? Maybe, just maybe after the 200th straight day that your favorite hip-hop site or blog had some news about him on it. It’s amazing.

  9. What this guy lacks in skill and talent he makes up for it with the ability to get peoples attention an stir up their emotions… That being said let’s support quality Hiphop acts like Mick Jenkins, the Underachievers, Saba, Flatbush Zombies, Cantrell, Chuwee, I could go on but…Peace Y’all

    1. “What this guy lacks in skill and talent…?” That should be it right there. In no other genre can you lack every necessary skill and still get rewarded. I don’t wish death or jail/prison on nobody but this dude man…kids gotta know this ain’t it

  10. I had a huuuuuge poopie log jammed up my bung and when I finally heard this, I became so upset that it made me poop my pants! I finally pooped my pants!!!

  11. I will applaud this pedo rainbow freak for dropping two terrible albums in a year. Who else does that? It’s also sad seeing Nicki and Kanye aligning themselves with this degenerate. Why is the new Metro Boomin album getting slept on? I’ma keep bumping the #1 rap album of the year, Scorpion. Fake drug dealer Pusha T and Pedo69 ain’t got shit on my boo Drizzy. #Keep6ix9ineBehindBars

  12. Y’all are haters, this is fire, compared it to his last album…. it’s way better!!!! Shame on you for shitting on a guy when he’s locked up. Straight bitch move like Rick Ross did!!!!

  13. I did like STOOPID lol..it gets me hyped but other the that and the NICKI and Kanye track it’s little kid music..

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