Tekashi 6ix9ine has triggered outrage by starring in an adult store's Valentine's Day advertisement that carries an anti-violence against women message.
The 'Gummo' rapper infamously pleaded guilty to a 2015 child sex offense and was recently accused by his longtime girlfriend of multiple incidences of vicious physical and sexual abuse.
Despite those and other accusations, Romantic Depot - a US lingerie and adult toy superstore chain - is using the musician in an anti-abuse video that advertises their goods.
"When I was younger, I used to make a lot of stupid mistakes. But I'm ready to learn more," Tekashi69 says in the ad.
"Thanks Romantic Depot, I now know how to treat women with dignity and respect."
Tekashi69, real name Daniel Hernandez, is currently behind bars after pleading guilty to federal racketeering charges related to a crackdown on the Nine Trey Bloods gang.
The ad includes a message saying: "In no way does Romantic Depot support Tekashi 6ix9ine's past activities" - but the company's decision to debut the video this week has still been met with outrage.
"I have no words. What is this world, even, anymore?" writes user BadOmbre on Jezebel.
"Even independent of the abuse, why would you want this twisted and demented Muppet Baby-looking troll representing your brand?"
On Consequence of Sound's page for the video on YouTube, commenter nittyscottMC called it " disturbingly offensive".
"This is disgusting and needs to be taken down. This makes a mockery of abuse survivors and is extremely triggering for anyone who has experienced intimate partner violence... your shop now represents the exact opposite of what it was trying to pass itself as. Any space that puts abusive rapists on a platform to sell a few dildos is a very dangerous space for women."
Other commenters applauded Romantic Depot for the video and mocked Tekashi69's accent.
Consequence of Sound reports that, as recently as Sunday (local time), the ad was airing across the New York metropolitan area.
Newshub.
