Kooda B, once a close ally of Tekashi 6ix9ine, has publicly expressed deep regret for his role in a 2018 shooting targeting Chicago rap icon Chief Keef, a decision that changed his life forever. The former Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods member, whose real name is Kintea McKenzie, opened up about his remorse after serving time for orchestrating the attack, revealing the personal and legal toll it took. The incident happened on June 2, 2018, outside the W Hotel in Times Square, New York City, where shots were fired at Chief Keef, a pioneer of Chicago’s drill music scene. No one was injured, but the event stemmed from a heated feud between Chief Keef and Tekashi 6ix9ine, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez.
Kooda B, influenced by 6ix9ine’s fame, admitted to arranging the shooting, later claiming he was not the actual gunman. Court records show 6ix9ine offered Kooda B $20,000 to carry out the hit and paid him $10,000 afterward. In a 2019 letter to the court, Kooda B expressed sorrow for his actions, stating he was swayed by 6ix9ine’s success and their friendship. He wrote,
“I made an extremely foolish choice. I looked up to someone with more fame, and it wasn’t right. I regret it, and it won’t happen again.”
The song “KOODA” by 6ix9ine, named after him, had fueled his admiration, but he later saw the consequences of following the wrong path. During his 2020 sentencing, Judge Paul Engelmayer criticized Kooda B, saying he could have refused but chose to “line up a hitman.” Kooda B pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering in 2019, facing up to 20 years.
He was sentenced to 54 months in prison with three years of supervised release. Released in March 2023, earlier than expected, he announced his freedom on Instagram. In a June 2023 VladTV interview, Kooda B reflected on 6ix9ine’s betrayal, noting how the rapper’s testimony against him hurt his family, especially his mother. He clarified he only arranged the shooting, not fired the shots, and expressed regret for his role. The feud between 6ix9ine and Chief Keef, fueled by social media taunts, including 6ix9ine’s mention of a $30,000 bounty on Chief Keef’s cousin Tadoe, set the stage for the incident. Chief Keef, unharmed, chose not to engage with the case, declining to comment during Kooda B’s sentencing.
Kooda B’s regret highlights the complex dynamics of loyalty, fame, and violence in the rap world, where personal admiration for Chief Keef as a drill legend clashed with misguided actions.
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