Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine is starring in a sex toy shop anti-abuse commercial that's currently airing a

• Daniel Hernandez, the rapper also known as 6ix9ine, or Tekashi, is starring in a commercial for Romantic Depot, a chain of sex toy shops.
• He says in the ad that he knows "how to treat women with dignity and respect."
• The ad was filmed before his longtime girlfriend accused him of repeatedly assaulting her, according to the chain's owner.
• Hernandez is currently in jail, having confessed to being part of a violent drug gang. He's cooperating with federal investigators.

Daniel Hernandez — the controversial rapper also known as Tekashi, or 6ix9ine — is starring in a commercial for a chain of sex toy shops airing in the New York metropolitan area.

The ad is part of the "dignity and respect" campaign run by Romantic Depot, the store brand, meant to prevent violence against women. It's airing at a time when Hernandez's girlfriend of seven years, Sara Molina, accused him of repeatedly beating her.

"When I was young, I used to make a lot of stupid mistakes. Now I'm ready to learn more," Hernandez says in the commercial. "Thanks, Romantic Depot. I now know how to treat women with dignity and respect."

Read more: 'I was leaking blood': Tekashi 6ix9ine's ex-girlfriend says he regularly assaulted her

Hernandez is currently sitting in jail after having confessed to being part of a violent drug gang. He pleaded to nine different crimes, including assisting in attempted murder and illegal firearms possession. He's cooperating with federal prosecutors in their continuing investigation into the gang.

INSIDER obtained a video recording of the Romantic depot commercial from a reader on Twitter, @NOTFranzKLS, who saw it Wednesday night.

Glen Buzzetti, the owner and CEO of Romantic Depot, told Jezebel that Hernandez volunteered to be in the video, and that it was filmed before his arrest in November. AVN, a publication that covers the adult video industry, reported that Hernandez was in one of their stores in October. (Other New York-based celebrities, including Cardi B, have also made ads for Romantic Depot.)

"He saw that we had on our website, a dignity and respect program to help prevent violence against women," Buzzetti told Jezebel. "[He] wanted to make himself a better person by showing women that he wants to change his past behavior. ... He really insisted on being a part of this."

Read more: Here's everything you need to know about Tekashi 6ix9ine, the controversial 22-year-old rapper who could go to prison for life

Buzzetti told Jezebel he plans to continue airing the ad through the week, on the advice of his marketing agency.

"The marketing agency said overall this would help start a conversation [about domestic abuse]," he said. "We don’t support any of his past activities, if in fact they are true."

Buzzetti didn't respond to INSIDER's request for comment.

• Read more:
• Here's everything you need to know about Tekashi 6ix9ine, the controversial 22-year-old rapper who could go to prison for life
• 'I was leaking blood': Tekashi 6ix9ine's ex-girlfriend says he regularly assaulted her
• Controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine pleaded guilty for his role in a violent drug-trafficking gang and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors
• Tekashi 6ix9ine is reportedly writing and producing a new album from prison

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