In 2019, when facing charges for firearms violations, armed robbery, and conspiracy to murder, Brooklyn rapper
6ix9ine was able to barter for a significantly reduced jail sentence by snitching on the gang he was once a member of, a violent offshoot of the Bloods known as The Nine Trey Gangsters. After serving only part of his time,
6ix9ine was released from prison due to his higher risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, and once released to home confinement began releasing new music immediately.
TattleTales is the second studio album from
6ix9ine, its title referring to how he controversially ratted out his former gang family by tattling on them to the courts. The 15-song album finds the rapper in one of two modes. Songs like "Charlie," "Gooba," and "R.E.D." are made up of the kind of over-the-top, nonstop yelling flows and belligerent energy that gave
6ix9ine some of his best-known hits. In his other gear, he sounds more reserved and almost contemplative, as on acoustic guitar-led tracks like "AVA," or with the vocoded vocals of "Tutu." Occasionally he splits the difference, as with the
Nicki Minaj-assisted album highlight "Trollz." ~ Fred Thomas