Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Ellison stands accused ofkidnapping and robbing Tekashi at gunpointin July 2018.
Mack allegedly peddled drugs such as heroin, fentanyl, and ecstasy.
The prosecution played excerpts from two music videos of Hernandezs songs, Gummo and Kooda.
At prosecutors request, Hernandez pointed out alleged gang members who appeared in these vids.
Hernandez said he wanted the aesthetic of Gummo to reflect the Bloods offshoot.
Hernandez and Redd were on the same label.
I signed after, Hernandez said.
There was a lot of jealousy involved.
At the beginning of his testimony, Hernandez was asked to point out Ellison and Mack.
Uh, Harv … he has a gray suit on, he said.
He also said his former manager,Kifano Shottie Jordan, taught him the gang handshake.
He then demonstrated the Nine Trey sign.
Asked who showed him how to make the sign, he replied, Nuke.
He also recounted his entry into the business.
The prospect of rapping came up when Hernandez was working at a grocery in Brooklyn.
A few years later, in fall 2017, Hernandez dropped Gummo on YouTube.
It was [an] instant success, I would say, Hernandez testified.
He quickly picked up on the fact that Bloods-centric work would propel him to success.
I knew I had a formula, he said.
Thats what people liked.
He also said his role in Nine Trey was keep making hits to financially support the gang.
In return, Hernandez got street cred and protection, he said.
Hernandezs testimony stems from a plea deal he brokered with the Manhattan U.S.
Attorneys Office; under the agreement, hecopped to nine federal countsand agreed to cooperate with the Feds.
Ellison was the gangs second-in-command, enforcer, muscle.
In this role, Ellison and others committed multiple violent crimes, Rebold said.
Ellison was eventually booted from his role as Hernandezs protector.
This did not sit well with Mr. Ellison, Rebold said.
Ellisons lawyer, Devereaux Cannick, called the kidnapping a hoax.
Hernandez will continue testifying on Wednesday.
