In 2019, when facing charges for firearms violations, armed robbery, and conspiracy to murder, Brooklyn rapper 6ix9ine was able to barter for a significantly reduced jail sentence by snitching on the gang he was once a member of, a violent offshoot of the Bloods known as The Nine Trey Gangsters. After serving only part of his time, 6ix9ine was released from prison due to his higher risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, and once released to home confinement began releasing new music immediately. TattleTales is the second studio album from 6ix9ine, its title referring to how he controversially ratted out his former gang family by tattling on them to the courts. The 15-song record finds the rapper in one of two modes. Songs like "Charlie," "Gooba," and "R.E.D." are made up of the kind of over-the-top, nonstop yelling flows and belligerent energy that gave 6ix9ine some of his best-known hits. In his other gear, he sounds more reserved and almost contemplative, as on acoustic guitar-led tracks like "AVA," or with the vocoded vocals of "Tutu." Occasionally he splits the difference, as with the Nicki Minaj-assisted album highlight "Trollz." At various points in his discography, 6ix9ine could harness his insolent energy into something that was exciting in a visceral way. He aims for that kind of power only a few times on TattleTales, but never quite produces more than hollow, threatening barks. He spends the majority of the album in a sleepy state that's even harder to engage with than the shouty dance tracks. Short on both ideas and execution, TattleTales pads out its few serviceable tracks with songs that are either boring, corny, or both. A more inspired artist could have turned a complex experience like the one 6ix9ine went through into an interesting and reflective work of art. TattleTales, unfortunately, maintains 6ix9ine's aesthetic of ignorance, bluster, and willful stupidity.