The rules of engagement in hip-hop, particularly concerning the sacred and often volatile “street code,” are supposed to be immutable. The line between being a ‘snitch’ or a ‘rat’ and remaining ‘solid’ is the ultimate moral ledger, and violating it is considered the most career-ending, life-altering transgression. Yet, in the most audacious and calculated move of 2025, Tekashi 6ix9ine—the self-proclaimed “King of Rats”—has successfully weaponized this very code against one of the industry’s most heralded street artists, Young Thug.

The vehicle for this musical and cultural nuclear strike is 6ix9ine’s new song, “FAX (Call Me Wham).” It is not a subtle shot across the bow; it is a full-frontal assault, built entirely upon the shocking audio and visual evidence of Young Thug’s two-hour interrogation tape. The ensuing chaos has not only ignited a firestorm of controversy around Young Thug’s legal woes but has also exposed the stunning, multi-million dollar desperation driving 6ix9ine’s career, all while forcing hip-hop culture to confront the hypocrisy of its own moral standards.

The Lyrical Weapon: Nursery Rhyme of Betrayal

From the moment the track dropped, its intent was clear: to dismantle Young Thug’s street credibility by casting him in the same informant role that defined—and nearly ended—6ix9ine’s own career. The most insidious and brilliant element of the diss track is its chorus, a viral-ready, darkly humorous remix of the classic children’s nursery rhyme, “Itsy-Bitsy Spider.”

Young Thug’s nickname is “Spider,” a detail 6ix9ine exploits with ruthless efficiency. The chorus reads: “The itsy-bitsy spider went up the water spout / Down came the feds and he rat his man’s out / I gave you my number tell me what you want / Don’t tell the world just please let me out.”

This lyrical construction is a masterpiece of trolling, managing to be both hilarious in its absurdity and devastating in its implication. It directly quotes Young Thug’s alleged conversation in the interrogation room, where he is heard asking officers to make “promises” and to “not tell the world” what he tells them, desperately seeking some form of assurance or protection. 6ix9ine’s simple, cutting lyrics summarize the entire, complex legal narrative into an easily digestible, repeatable accusation that has already gone viral.

The message is unmistakable: Young Thug did what 6ix9ine did. And by daring to make this comparison, 6ix9ine is attempting to drag the entire cultural conversation about snitching down to his level, arguing that the gatekeepers of hip-hop have conveniently moved the goalposts for artists they prefer.

The Desperate Motive: A $2.4 Million Reckoning

For any veteran music journalist, the release of “FAX (Call Me Wham)” is not just a beef; it’s an existential career maneuver, fueled by a crippling financial collapse. 6ix9ine’s decision to risk everything by provoking a certified street figure is deeply rooted in his staggering monetary debt and his desperate need for relevance.

The flamboyant, rainbow-haired rapper who once flaunted millions on Instagram Live is now on the brink of financial ruin. Recent IRS statements claim that 6ix9ine owes more than $2.4 million in back taxes. The signs of distress have been public and humiliating: his luxury vehicles, once central to his “flexing,” were towed away, and his $3 million mansion was famously raided by the feds.

The public spectacle reached its nadir when the IRS announced an official auction of his most iconic possessions. Fans watched in disbelief as pieces of the rapper’s legendary jewelry—the Diamond Bruce the Shark chain, the Water Park chain, and even his trademark grills—were sold off for fractions of their original value. The Shark chain fetched $63,000, and the Water Park chain went for $36,000. Even his once-vaunted music plaques were sold for a mere $1,000.

This collapse provides the essential context for the diss track. It is the action of a man who has lost everything and has nothing left to lose. In 2017, 6ix9ine was “undefeated,” signing a breakthrough deal worth $7.5 million. Now, facing millions in debt and with his assets stripped, he has realized that the only currency he has left is controversy. Beefing with a figure as high-profile, as controversial, and as legally compromised as Young Thug is a calculated gamble to generate views, streams, and, critically, income.

The Interrogation Tape: An Indelible Stain

The core of 6ix9ine’s attack lies in the re-airing of Young Thug’s interrogation tapes, which capture the rapper speaking with officers for over two hours. During this session, Young Thug is heard mentioning the name of his YSL associate, Peewee Rosco, in connection with the 2015 Lil Wayne tour bus incident.

6ix9ine’s music video and commentary specifically highlight this moment, turning the uncomfortable reality of the two-hour conversation into an inescapable public narrative. He frames it as a clear violation of the “remain silent” rule, asking where the outrage is from the rest of the industry—rappers like Lil Baby, 21 Savage, and Future—who were quick to condemn 6ix9ine for his own actions.

The implication is devastating: Young Thug, a figure who built his persona on street authenticity, is being measured by the same yardstick he and his peers used to condemn 6ix9ine. This is not about who is “more street”; it’s about a cultural reckoning where the moral high ground has been bought and sold.

Cracks in the Empire: The YSL Betrayal

The fallout from the interrogation tapes and 6ix9ine’s diss has gone deeper than any musical rivalry could. It has begun to fracture Young Thug’s inner circle.

One of the most powerful and heartbreaking reactions came from within the YSL collective itself. A YSL member, Mondo, took to social media and spoke his mind, revealing the deep ideological split within the organization. Mondo was unequivocal: he labeled Young Thug’s actions in the interrogation as “100% snitching,” arguing that it was a betrayal of the code. He went further, suggesting that the loyalists defending Young Thug are “brainwashed” and waiting on their “daddy figures” for guidance. For a member of the collective to so publicly denounce the leader’s actions provides a staggering validation of 6ix9ine’s narrative and exposes the deep wounds within YSL.

In contrast, Young Thug’s family has come to his defense. His sister took to social media to call out other rappers, asserting that the only reason 6ix9ine and others feel safe dissing her brother is because he cannot physically respond or travel to Atlanta due to his ongoing legal restrictions. She suggested that the entire beef is an act of cowardice, preying on a man who is legally confined.

The man at the center of the original controversy, Peewee Rosco, offered a more cryptic, philosophical response, emphasizing that he did his time and kept it “solid.” His measured response only further highlights the emotional distress and betrayal felt by those whose lives were directly impacted by the events in question, regardless of the legal interpretations.

The Final Verdict in the Court of Culture

As 6ix9ine continues to provoke, his song, backed by millions of views, has accomplished his immediate goal: he is relevant again. The debate is no longer about his status as a “rat” but about whether Young Thug, a rap titan, can withstand a similar public branding.

The hip-hop world is now in a painful trial, one where the “King of Rats” is the prosecutor. This scandal is more than a rap beef; it is a commentary on authenticity, moral expediency, and the desperate lengths to which a financially ruined celebrity will go to reclaim his throne. The silence from other major rap figures, whom 6ix9ine has openly called out for their hypocrisy, only amplifies the accusation that the street code is selectively enforced.

With Young Thug maintaining a not-guilty stance and navigating the complexities of his legal future, the outcome remains uncertain. But the one undeniable truth is this: 6ix9ine’s viral weapon has successfully forced the conversation, and whether he saves his bank account or not, he has forever changed the standard by which hip-hop’s most important moral code is judged.