Tekashi 6ix9ine Update: Was The Rapper's Kidnapping All A Hoax?

The federal trial against Tekashi 6ix9ine’s fellow Nine Trey Blood gang members has gotten underway with rapper reportedly being compared to Jussie Smollett, the “Empire” star that allegedly faked his own attack.

The defense team for Antony Ellison, Tekashi 6ix9ine’s former manager, compared the rapper to the actor, saying that he allegedly made up his own kidnapping as part of a publicity stunt, the East Bay Times reported. Tekashi 6ix9ine is testifying against his fellow gang members as part of a plea deal to lower his sentence in another case, where he was charged with nine felony counts.

“This was a hoax,” attorney Devereaux Cannick, who is representing Nine Trey Bloods member Anthony Ellison, said about Tekashi’s kidnapping, according to Complex. “It’s a Jussie Smollett, if you will.”

According to Cannick, Tekashi 6ix9ine reportedly staged the kidnapping to gain publicity for his single with Nicki Minaj, “Fefe.” Despite the comparison to Smollett, the prosecutors in the case are expected to show that Tekashi 6ix9ine was injured in the kidnapping through the testimony of a doctor and police officers and that Ellison was present at the time of the kidnapping, the East Bay Times reported.

In July 2018, Tekashi 6ix9ine claims he was kidnapped and robbed by two alleged members of the gang. His testimony against the gang members is expected to come on Tuesday.

Tekashi 6ix9ine was facing 47 years in prison for the felony charges against him but may be released as early as January, according to his girlfriend, Jade, based on his cooperation with the authorities.

The trial that started on Monday involves two members of the Nine Trey gang, Ellison and Aljermiah “Nuke” Mack.