Net Worth Ranker
What Is Tekashi69 (Daniel Hernandez)’ Net Worth?
As of March 2025, Tekashi69, also known as Daniel Hernandez, has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. This valuation is derived from his career as a rapper, social media influencer, and various, albeit controversial, business ventures. His income streams have been highly volatile, marked by periods of significant earnings and subsequent financial difficulties.
Financial Overview and Earnings
Tekashi69’s financial journey has been a rollercoaster. While he has secured several multi-million dollar record and concert contracts, his career interruptions due to legal issues have had a significant impact on his earnings. Royalties from streaming platforms, particularly his YouTube channel with over 20 million followers and 5 billion video views, have contributed substantially to his income. However, these earnings have been offset by legal expenses and periods of limited income generation.
Record Deals and Contracts: In October 2019, Tekashi69 signed a record deal with 10K Projects, reportedly worth at least $10 million. This deal included provisions for two albums, one in English and one in Spanish. Prior to this, in July 2020, he announced a $5 million deal with GlobalStreamNow for a virtual performance held on September 5, 2020. In October 2024, Tekashi69 revealed a new record contract with Kartel Music, offering $1 million for a future album and $250,000 per concert for a future tour, potentially totaling up to $6 million if all milestones are achieved.
Streaming Royalties: Royalties from streaming platforms, particularly his YouTube channel with over 20 million followers and 5 billion video views, have contributed substantially to his income. After the release of the song “Gummo,” he began earning an average of $60,000 per month from YouTube royalties and live performance fees.
In March 2022, Tekashi69 claimed severe financial difficulties, stating he was struggling to make ends meet due to the stagnation of his career and lack of royalty income. However, in April 2022, he posted a video on Instagram flaunting millions in cash and luxury cars, leading to questions about his financial claims.
After being released from prison, Tekashi69 released his new song “Gooba” and an accompanying music video. Within 24 hours, the video had 40 million views. Within a week, “Gooba” had broken 150 million views. He publicly claimed that he had earned $2 million off “Gooba” alone in under a week.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Daniel Hernandez, born on May 8, 1996, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York, faced numerous challenges early in life. His mother is from Mexico, and his father is from Puerto Rico. Growing up, the family experienced financial instability, particularly after his stepfather was murdered in 2010 when Daniel was 14. This traumatic event led to PTSD and depression, impacting his school performance and leading to his expulsion from 8th grade.
Early Career: Tekashi69’s rap career began when he was 16 years old. He met Peter “Righteous P” Rogers, the CEO of Hikari-Ultra, who encouraged him to release original songs. His first song, “69”, was released in 2014. Over the next three years, he released a series of albums and videos, gradually gaining popularity in the underground rap scene.
Mixtapes and Albums: Tekashi69 released his debut mixtape, “Day69,” in 2018. His debut single “Gummo” reached #6 on the US Rap chart, #7 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and #12 on the “Billboard” Hot 100 and was certified Gold. His single “Kooda” was also certified Gold and reached #29 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart and #50 on the “Billboard” Hot 100. Following up on 2018’s “Dummy Boy” album, Tekashi69 released his sophomore effort, 2020’s “TattleTales,” which debuted at #4 on the U.S. “Billboard” 200.
Legal Issues and Their Financial Impact
Tekashi69’s legal troubles have significantly impacted his financial stability. His 2015 guilty plea for using a child in a sexual performance, and subsequent probation, set a precedent for future legal issues. In 2018, his arrest on racketeering, weapons, and drug charges led to a cooperation agreement with the government, resulting in a reduced sentence. These legal battles have not only interrupted his career but also incurred substantial legal fees, further straining his finances.
Details of Legal Proceedings: In 2018, Tekashi69 was arrested on weapons, drugs, and racketeering charges. To avoid a potentially lengthy prison sentence, he agreed to testify against members of the Nine Trey Bloods gang. He testified that the gang allowed him to pretend to be a member in exchange for financial support. In December 2019, he entered a guilty plea as part of the arrangement with government prosecutors, resulting in a 13-month sentence. In March 2023, Tekashi was reportedly assaulted in a steam room at an LA Fitness gym in Palm Beach County, Florida. Videos of the attack were shared on social media in which he sustained facial cuts and abrasions, and so far, one suspect has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Reported Assets and Possessions
Tekashi69’s public displays of wealth, particularly on social media, have often contradicted his claims of financial hardship. The Instagram video from April 2022, showcasing millions in cash and luxury vehicles, raised questions about his true financial status.
Luxury Vehicles: While specific models and names are not consistently documented, Tekashi69 has been known to showcase a collection of luxury cars on social media. The exact composition of this collection varies, and it’s difficult to ascertain whether these vehicles are owned outright or leased.
Real Estate: Upon his release from prison, Tekashi69 initially moved into a modest home in Lido Beach. After his location was revealed, he relocated to Water Mill in New York, renting an 8,500-square-foot home overlooking a tree farm. The rental cost for this property was listed at $55,000. The exact address of these homes is not publicly available.
Social Media Presence and Brand Deals
Tekashi69 has leveraged his substantial social media following to generate income. His YouTube channel, with over 20 million followers and billions of views, serves as a significant source of revenue through ad revenue and royalties. Additionally, he has sought various brand endorsement deals, although the success and veracity of these deals have been questioned.
Brand Deals and Endorsements: In the past, Tekashi69 has claimed to have secured lucrative endorsement deals, including a $4.9 million deal with a headphone company. However, industry insiders have expressed skepticism about the reality of these claims.
In January 2018, he claimed (in a now-deleted Instagram post) that he had signed a $7.5 million record deal. A month later, he claimed to have signed a $15 million management deal with Birdman’s RICHGANG company.
Personal Life and Lifestyle
Tekashi69’s personal life has been as turbulent as his professional career. He began dating Rachel “Jade” Watley shortly before his imprisonment in 2018. He has two daughters, one born in October 2015 with Sara Molina, and another born in November 2018 with Marlayna M. His lifestyle, characterized by public displays of wealth and controversial behavior, has both fueled his notoriety and contributed to his financial instability.
Personal Habits and Public Appearances: Specific details about Tekashi69’s daily routine and work habits are not widely publicized. His public appearances are often marked by displays of wealth, such as flaunting cash and luxury vehicles on social media.
Family Background: Tekashi can speak Spanish and has sung in Spanish on four tracks: “Bebe,” “Mala,” “Yaya,” and “Bori.” Tekashi suffers from asthma.
Successes and Key Milestones
Despite the controversies and legal challenges, Tekashi69 has achieved significant milestones in his career. His debut mixtape, “Day69,” and subsequent singles, “Gummo” and “Kooda,” achieved commercial success, earning Gold certifications. His sophomore album, “TattleTales,” debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200. The music video for his song “Gooba” broke records for the biggest 24-hour debut for a hip-hop video on YouTube, garnering 40 million views within a day.
Financial Management and Issues
Tekashi69’s financial management has been a subject of scrutiny, particularly given his conflicting claims of wealth and financial hardship. His ability to secure multi-million dollar deals is juxtaposed against his claims of struggling to make ends meet and facing potential bankruptcy. The discrepancy between his public displays of wealth and reported financial difficulties has raised questions about his overall financial stability and management practices.
Financial Difficulties: In March 2022, Tekashi69 submitted documents to a court claiming severe financial problems due to loss of income, primarily because his career had been on hold for two years. He stated he was receiving no royalty income and was unable to generate income via touring. He claimed that if the lawsuit proceeded, it could “bankrupt” him.
