Hulu’s new documentary about contentious rap determine Tekashi 6ix9ine was made in secret and, from its very first scene, it’s clear why. Filmmaker Vikram Gandhi is on the road the place the star – actual identify Daniel Hernandez – grew up in Brooklyn, New York, interviewing one among his former neighbours, when different residents begin harassing them and attempting to halt filming. If the documentary arrived with large fanfare, Gandhi may need to take care of some extra sinister threats from 6ix9ine’s wider orbit.
It’s not onerous to see why somebody would need to make a documentary about 6ix9ine’s story up to now. He’s risen from a boy within the metropolis’s most disadvantaged space to one of many greatest rappers on the earth, through jail time for intercourse crimes in opposition to a minor and a very public ratting out of an East Coast faction of the notorious LA Bloods gang. His music is lurid and loud, counting on outdated tropes, and he’s managed to stay profitable regardless of being accused of home violence.
69: The Saga Of Daniel Hernandez charts the entire journey, from Hernandez working in a bodega store as a child to his troubles with the legislation. Folks from all through his life seem – ex-girlfriend Sara Molina, his tattoo artist, his former driver, even his estranged organic father – providing perception right into a younger man corrupted by his thirst for consideration and celeb. As completely different elements of his persona are damaged down (Danny the bodega boy, the Mexican Blood and rainbow-haired rapper, the troll), these speaking heads replicate on what went improper.
With out an interview from the rapper himself, there’s little right here that feels new to those that’ve been following Tekashi’s story. To those that haven’t, it’s a stable explainer – and a compelling 90-minute have a look at why he morphed into this cartoon-like caricature within the first place. Whereas a lot of the main target is on that excessive character – enjoying as much as no matter he thought would make him a hit – the doc rightfully anchors itself by detailing his abhorrent actions. 6ix9ine’s temporary imprisonment for filming and distributing videos of a sexual nature of a 13-year-old is mentioned, whereas Molina is given time to speak about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Hernandez. In a movie that desires to get underneath his pores and skin, these moments nonetheless really feel too fleeting.
The making of 69 may make excellent sense, however its existence leaves some greater questions. Does this particular person need to be immortalised on this method? Is that this not simply enjoying into Hernandez’s palms, additional feeding the troll? Gandhi struggles with that himself on the finish of the movie. Sharing his unsuccessful makes an attempt to succeed in the star’s staff to get interview entry, he wonders if what he hoped could be “a cautionary story” is de facto simply giving the Hernandez the eye he thrives on. Along with his newest album ‘Tattletales’ promoting solely 50,000 copies, maybe this documentary is one final shot of fame earlier than the bubble lastly bursts.
Particulars
- Director: Vikram Gandhi
- Starring: Tekashi 6ix9ine, Sara Molina
- Launch date: November 17 (Hulu, US; UK launch TBC)
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