On February 20, 2018, 6ix9ine revealed the finalcover artwork and tracklist of the mixtape.[5]
On February 24, a day after the mixtape's release, an artist onTumblr with the username "cryptidsp00n" pointed out that the artist of theDay69 cover artwork traced over their artwork featuring theAdventure Time characterFlame Princess.[6]
On February 10, 2018, 6ix9ine previewed the first track off the mixtape, called "Billy" on his Instagram account. The music video for the track was released on March 4, 2018.
The first official single forDay69, called "Gummo" was released on September 24, 2017. The song was produced byPi'erre Bourne. The song peaked at number 12 on the USBillboard Hot 100.
On December 3, 2017, 6ix9ine released the second official single for the mixtape, called "Kooda". The song references ScumGang Records,Xanax,Ruger andFendi, among others. The song debuted at number 61 on the USBillboard Hot 100 in the week of December 23, 2017,[7] and peaked at number 50.[8] An accompanying music video for the song premiered onWorldStarHipHop via itsYouTube channel. It features 6ix9ine in the streets of New York with members of theBloods andCrips gangs, in a similar vein to the music video for "Gummo".[9]
On January 14, 2018, 6ix9ine released the third official single, "Keke" with American rappersFetty Wap andA Boogie wit da Hoodie.[10] The song was previewed by 6ix9ine in late 2017 via hisInstagram, with the song leaking on December 29, 2017.[11] The music video was premiered on WorldStarHipHop's official YouTube channel on January 14, 2018. It was directed by Figure Eight Films and features 6ix9ine, Fetty Wap and A Boogie wit da Hoodie in the streets of New York, in similar vein to 6ix9ine's music video for "Gummo" and "Kooda".[12][13][14] The song entered at number 63 on the USBillboard Hot 100, peaking at number 43 on the chart dated February 3, 2018.
The fourth official single fromDay69, "Gotti" was released on April 21, 2018.
Day69 received mixed reviews from music critics. In a negative review, Charles Aaron ofRolling Stone stated thatDay69 is "a grim dud. Unlike similarly cartoonish figures, likeOnyx orWaka Flocka Flame, 6ix9ine flashes no humor or attempts at phrase-making or, um, songwriting. His overly reverbed flow is little more than an uncontrolled gusher of bullying faux-menace."[17] Daniel Offner ofSalute Magazine stated that "in terms of carrying its own weight, the album delivers with direct effect", adding thatDay69 "comes to close with a full mag and one in the chamber."[18]
Online publicationHotNewHipHop criticized the mixtape's production and lyrical content, considering the project to be formulaic: "All things considered,DAY69 is a staggering failure of artistic statement, especially for a rapper seeking to prove his worth to the rap game. Whether it's the unremarkable production, his own limitations as a rapper, or the severe drop in quality beyond the singles, there's not much going on to justify his existence in the rap game beyond an unfortunate habit of generating negative attention."[16]
Trent Clark ofHipHopDX believed the mixtape provided a refreshing return tohardcore hip hop, also stating: "Of course, even with the short runtime, there's only so much bellowing and make-believe bodycounting listeners can take before they openly admit they don't want any more smoke. A kick-in-the-door project likeDay69 is ripe for establishing a rap game motif but does little to crack the mystique surrounding the mind underneath the multi-colored mane."[15]
Day69 debuted at number four on the USBillboard 200 chart, earning 55,000album-equivalent units (including 20,000 traditional album sales) in its first week.[19] In its second week, the album fell to number ten on the chart, earning an additional 24,000 units.[20] On May 8, 2018, the mixtape was certifiedgold by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 500,000 units in the United States.[21]
^"Czech Albums – Top 100".ČNS IFPI.Note: On the chart page, select09.Týden 2018 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
