Rapper Daniel Hernandez, known as Tekashi 6ix9ine, performs during the Philipp Plein women's 2019 Spring-Summer collection, unveiled during the Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, Sept. 21, 2018. (Photo: AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
It's been a while since Tekashi 6ix9ine, real name Daniel Hernandez, has been in the headlines. For better or for worse, that's likely to change next week.
On Sunday, the rapper dropped a video to his 25 million Instagram followers hinting at a tequila drop. In the clip, Hernandez is seen wearing Crocs and an ankle monitor — an apparent holdover from his prison stint last November — as he sits down beside a candy-colored assortment of liquor bottles. A bundle of pre-mixed cocktails in bright shades of green, yellow, blue, orange and red can be spotted in the background. In an on-the-nose bit of marketing antics, Hernandez sprays his hair with a can of the yellow cocktail before suiting up and driving away in a custom-wrapped sports car.
A message flashes on screen teasing news to come on March 21, followed by a shoutout to the Instagram page for Tequila Quarzo.
Just a few days prior, the brand posted a clip to TikTok giving fans an idea of what to expect from the collaboration. From the looks of it, bottles will feature a variety of 6ix9ine-specific labels including cartoon renditions of the rapper's face and shark logo. It's unclear if Hernandez will be launching a wholly new product or whether branding will simply be stamped onto Tequila Quarzo's existing liquor.
So what of the spirit itself?
You wouldn't be blamed for never having heard of it. Tequila Quarzo is a relatively new brand launched in 2023 and doesn't appear to have distribution in the U.S. just yet.
Browsing its website, the first thing that jumps out are the colors. The brand offers tequila in shades of gold, blue, red and green, all of which are infused with "100% edible glitter authorized by the FDA." The look and vibe vaguely resemble those bottles of Goldschläger cinnamon schnapps that have thin flakes of gold floating around inside.
It's also worth noting that — despite their bright colors — none of the tequilas are flavored. Expressions are purportedly made from 100% Blue Weber agave at Grupo Tequilero de Los Altos, a distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, known for brands like Aha Yeto and Chile Caliente. Bottles of Tequila Quarzo clock in at 799 pesos (around $40) and each features a collectible bracelet and LED light.
If the collaboration pans out, it'll be the latest in a string of business moves from Hernandez following his career peak in 2019.
The rapper is arguably best known these days for his range of Dummy Vapes, available at smoke shops across the country in such inventive flavors as Gooba Grape, Stoopid Strawberry and Alien Invasion. Hernandez also began teasing an energy drink venture dubbed Giné Energy in mid-2023. Though branding and a tie-in song were rolled out for the product, Giné Energy is still described as "Coming Soon" on its Instagram page.
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