The Bryce Crawford Podcast — EP 176: The Tekashi 6ix9ine Interview

Podcast Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Bryce Crawford
Guest: Tekashi 6ix9ine (Daniel Hernandez)

Episode Overview

In this compelling and introspective interview, Bryce Crawford sits down with rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine (Daniel Hernandez) for a raw and honest conversation about faith, personal struggle, purpose, and grace. The episode explores Tekashi’s spiritual beliefs, feelings of inadequacy, his tumultuous past, and his uncertain future, including his imminent return to prison. Grounded in Christian values, both Bryce and Tekashi reflect deeply on what it means to follow Jesus, address personal demons, and seek transformation through faith. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the man behind the controversy, voiced in Tekashi’s own words.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Tekashi’s Relationship with Faith and God

• Open Admission of Struggle:
  • Tekashi opens up about his fear of not making it to heaven and feeling like he’s failed God, the church, and his purpose.
    • "I don't think I'm going to heaven. I think I failed God. I think I failed the church." (00:30, 07:41)
• Christian Upbringing:
  • Recounts his childhood in a devout Christian household, attending church almost every day of the week.
    • "My mom converted to Christianity...We went to church Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays twice.” (04:20)
• Ongoing Spiritual Calling:
  • Feels that Jesus is calling him home, and believes his brokenness might be used to inspire others.
    • “Jesus has been calling my name… He's gonna make me spread his word... Jesus uses his most broken people as an instrument to bring people to his church.” (05:10, 05:56)

2. Faith, Hypocrisy, and the Meaning of True Belief

• Struggle with Obedience:
  • Acknowledges knowing Biblical commands but admits not living them out (e.g., drinking, pre-marital sex).
    • “If I'm preaching the word of the Lord and I'm going against it, why would I say, Lord, I'm ready?” (09:42)
• The Difference Between Knowing and Following God:
  • Bryce discusses how belief alone, without obedience, is not enough.
    • “Even the demons believe, then what does that mean for me? What makes me and you different than the demons? And if, if they're... it's obedience.” (10:33)
• Spiritual Warfare:
  • Tekashi reflects on the distractions and inner battles that keep people away from God.
    • “When you see something message God, and you scroll up real fast is that's the demon in you.” (10:51)

3. Purpose, Success, and Fear

• Inner Emptiness Amid Fame:
  • Despite his success, Tekashi questions what he really wants in life and admits to feeling lost.
    • “I'm living in a thing where I'm trying to keep everything together. My family's happiness, my happiness, me being me, me wanting to seek more and more and more. And God is saying, when are you going to get enough?” (00:30, 21:56, 22:16)
    • “That's living without a purpose. And that's the scariest thing.” (22:16)
• Fear of Losing Livelihood:
  • Admits financial concern is a barrier to fully surrendering to God.
    • “I said, God, what if I stop being 6ix9ine? How am I gonna fend for my family?” (28:17, 28:21)

4. Grace, Repentance, and Judgment

• Limit of Grace Without Repentance:
  • Recognizes that grace cannot be used as a scapegoat; God knows the heart.
    • “God knows when you say, why grace. I had, I had grace. What about grace, God? What about grace? You can't just use grace...as an escape goat. God knows your heart." (26:26)
• Judgment Day and Accountability:
  • Tekashi shares anxiety about judgment, believing God will bring up every hidden thought.
    • “God is going to remember...that little one thought behind Bryce's head, right? That you're like, damn, what if God brings this up? God knows that thought.” (26:39)

5. Hope, Community, and Transformation

• Bryce’s Testimony:
  • Bryce opens up about his own struggles with faith, hypocrisy, mental health, and finding purpose after a supernatural encounter with Jesus.
    • “When I was 17, I was going to take my life on Christmas Day of 2020...I had a supernatural encounter with Jesus where he stopped me.” (13:33)
• Encouragement and Support:
  • Bryce expresses sincere care for Tekashi, offers prayer, and stresses the importance of honest, ongoing relationship with God instead of just religion.
    • “I love you. I’m here for you. I would do anything for you...” (24:49, 35:00, 39:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Honest Spiritual Wrestling

• Tekashi 6ix9ine:
  • "I don't think I'm going to heaven. I think I failed God. I think I failed the church. I think I failed my, my, the reason I was, I was, I was created." (07:41)
  • "Even the demon believes in God, but the devil doesn't like it, so he sends his demons to like, make you neglect the word." (10:51)
  • "If you believe in God, then you have to believe in the devil. There's good and bad, right? There's not only good." (11:47)
  • "I'm up because I'm, I'm living in, in a thing where I'm trying to keep everything together. My family's happiness, my happiness, me being me... And God is saying, when are you going to get enough?" (21:56)

Bryce’s Past and Transformation

• Bryce Crawford:
  • "When I was 17, I was going to take my life on Christmas Day of 2020...I had a supernatural encounter with Jesus where he stopped me from taking my life." (13:33)
  • "You will never do enough. You haven't done enough. And there will never be enough things that you can do... that's what grace is." (24:49)
  • "It's Jesus. Jesus. And that's what we want, you know, and that's... what I want for you... And also not alone. You know how hard it is to do this stuff alone." (34:43)

Grace and Accountability

• Tekashi 6ix9ine:
  • "God knows when you say, why grace. I had, I had grace. What about grace, God? What about grace? You can't just use grace...as a scapegoat. God knows your heart." (26:26)
  • "I'm ready, bro. Like, I'm. I'm going in there knowing that Jesus Christ is like, walking beside me, like, let's knock this out." (32:30)

Prayer in Prison and Spiritual Influence

• Tekashi 6ix9ine:
  • On praying with Diddy in jail: "Diddy seen me get on my knees three times a day to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ. I prayed in the morning...6pm...and before bed...He said, can I pray with you?... We didn't ask the Lord for not one thing. We didn't say, hey, take care of our family. We just said thanks." (36:16, 36:45)

Radical Love and Self-Worth

• Bryce Crawford:
  • "I don't love you and think you're valuable because you've had some hit records and because you have some followers... I care about you because I think you're made in God's image and I think you're valuable because you're a son." (38:53)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:30] — Tekashi expresses fear about his salvation and pleads with God for fulfillment.
• [03:43] — Tekashi professes his imperfect but committed Christian faith.
• [05:10] — Tekashi believes his brokenness may serve a higher purpose for God.
• [07:41] — Tekashi doubts his place in heaven, admitting to feeling unworthy.
• [10:33] — Discussion on belief vs obedience and the difference between humans and demons.
• [16:09] — Both speak honestly about living with the tension of not doing enough.
• [21:56] — Tekashi confesses to feeling lost and directionless despite fame and money.
• [24:39] — Talk about God's grace and being given a reduced prison sentence.
• [28:17] — Discussion about fear, purpose, and financial stability as barriers to faith.
• [32:30] — Tekashi confronts his upcoming prison stint with faith and resolve.
• [36:16] — Tekashi shares a powerful story of prayer with Diddy while incarcerated.
• [38:53] — Bryce closes with words of affirmation, love, and prayer for Tekashi.

Closing Thoughts & Tone

The episode is marked by radical honesty, humility, and a deep yearning for redemption. Both Bryce and Tekashi approach their conversation with vulnerability and mutual respect, encouraging listeners to confront their own spiritual lives with seriousness and honesty. There’s recognition that neither status nor past can substitute for a real, obedient, and grace-filled relationship with God, and that transformation requires surrender, not performance.

Bryce (39:53): “I care about you because I think you're made in God's image and I think you're valuable because you're a son. ... I would love to pray for you before we close out.”

The interview ends in a heartfelt, genuine prayer, with Bryce asking God to guide and use Tekashi in the next chapter of his life, emphasizing hope, love, and second chances over judgment.

This episode is highly recommended for anyone interested in stories of faith, redemption, or personal transformation—Christian or not. It’s an unfiltered conversation about grappling with purpose, pain, and the possibility of spiritual renewal, straight from one of pop culture’s most controversial figures.