Controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine was taken to a hospital after being assaulted inside a gym sauna in Florida, police say.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said the 26-year-old FEFE MC – real name Daniel Hernandez – said the assault involved several individuals.
A video containing graphic footage of the incident has been published by TMZ. In it, Hernandez is seen lying on the floor, defending his face as at least two assailants hit him. One of them can be heard saying: “Take a picture, I’m gonna be famous now.”
The outlet also obtained pictures of the rapper in hospital, which show cuts and bruises on his face.
In a statement to NBC News, Hernandez’s attorney, Lance Lazzaro, said the rapper was attacked in the sauna by “three or four thugs who beat him up”.
“Employees heard the disturbance and the perpetrators fled,” Lazzaro said. “Police in South Florida were called and he was transported via ambulance to a local hospital.”
Detectives from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident.
In 2015, Hernandez was sentenced to four years probation after admitting to a felony count of using a child in a sexual performance in relation to a video of a 13-year-old girl.
In 2018, Hernandez was arrested for racketeering, attempted murder and several weapons charges. He pleaded guilty but his sentence was shortened to two years after he testified against members of the Nine Trey Gangsters gang, which operates on the East Coast of the US.
Last year, the rapper told a judge that he was “struggling to make ends meet” in response to a lawsuit brought against him by victims of a 2018 robbery he was present for.
