40 Facts About DJ Akademiks

Early Life and Education

DJ Akademiks, born Livingston Allen, has a story that begins in Spanish Town, Jamaica. His journey to becoming a prominent figure in hip-hop media is filled with intriguing details.

1. 01DJ Akademiks was born on May 17, 1991, in Spanish Town, Jamaica. His father was a school principal who had multiple extramarital affairs, which Akademiks has spoken about publicly.
2. 02His mother left him and his brother in Jamaica to migrate to the United States, where she worked multiple jobs to become a US citizen.
3. 03Akademiks' mother eventually married an American man for $20,000 to expedite her citizenship process. This move allowed her to bring her sons to the United States in 2001.
4. 04DJ Akademiks earned a bachelor's degree in biomathematics from Rutgers University (New Brunswick Campus). During his time at Rutgers, he was a disc jockey for the university radio station WRSU-FM until he was kicked out in 2013 for his commentary and selection of music.

Career Beginnings

Akademiks' career took off through online platforms, where he shared his unique take on hip-hop culture.

5. 05Akademiks started his career as a regular on online hip-hop forums. His first YouTube channel, created in October 2012, initially featured his university disc jockey sessions, interviews, and opinions on hip-hop/rap music.
6. 06He operated a website called Late Night Creep, which focused on hip-hop/rap news. However, the website is currently not operational.
7. 07In May 2014, Akademiks launched Crime Fails, which highlighted the mishaps committed by criminals during or after their crimes. This channel gained significant traction and helped establish Akademiks as a prominent figure in online media.
8. 08In June 2014, he created The War in Chiraq, which focused on the gang conflicts in Chicago and the various drill artists involved. This channel played a crucial role in making the early Chicago drill music scene more accessible to a wider audience.
9. 09In February 2015, Akademiks launched King Akademiks, where he posted highlight clips from his latest Twitch livestreams. He began live streaming on Twitch in 2022.
10. 10In March 2015, he created Akademiks TV, which featured noteworthy footage obtained from various musicians in the hip-hop/rap genre. This channel did not include any of Akademiks' commentary.

Rise to Prominence

Akademiks' influence grew as he continued to create content and engage with the hip-hop community.

11. 11In July 2015, Akademiks uploaded a video stating that his first self-titled channel had been suspended and that he was moving to a new channel with the same name. He continued posting hip-hop/rap-related news on this new channel.
12. 12In August 2015, he created DJ Akademiks TV2 – The Negrotiator, which served as a backup for his main channel. This channel was primarily used to host and preserve full-length YouTube livestreams by Akademiks until it was renamed "The Akademy" in September 2023.
13. 13From April 2017 to December 2020, Akademiks co-hosted Everyday Struggle, a daily morning show for Complex Networks, alongside Joe Budden and Nadeska Alexis.
14. 14On June 25, 2017, during the BET Awards pre-show, tensions arose between Akademiks, Joe Budden, and late Migos member Takeoff after Akademiks questioned Takeoff's absence on Migos' single "Bad and Boujee."
15. 15In April 2018, Akademiks launched his rapper alter-ego Lil AK by posting a music video for his song "Blues Clues," which included a cameo from rapper 6ix9ine. The music video amassed 3.2 million views.
16. 16Akademiks created a separate YouTube channel for his rapper alter-ego, titled Lil AK. He continued to release a string of songs and music videos up until September 2020.

Controversies and Challenges

Despite his success, Akademiks has faced numerous controversies that have impacted his career.

17. 17In July 2020, Akademiks was suspended from Complex for insulting model Chrissy Teigen while livestreaming on Twitch. He later apologized for his behavior, stating that he had gone over the line in disrespecting women.
18. 18In November 2020, Akademiks announced that he would be leaving Complex permanently.
19. 19In August 2021, Akademiks launched his podcast Off the Record with DJ Akademiks in partnership with Spotify. The podcast releases three episodes per week, focusing on roundtable discussions and interviews with various hip-hop/rap musicians and media personalities.
20. 20In 2022, an audio surfaced where Akademiks discussed his preference for having sexual relationships with underage girls, comparing 17-year-olds to 20-year-olds and expressing his sexual desires towards minors. This led to widespread criticism and controversy.
21. 21In October 2022, a video surfaced showing Akademiks in a physical altercation with a woman he was romantically involved with. This incident further tarnished his public image.
22. 22In September 2022, hip-hop pioneers LL Cool J, MC Lyte, Russell Simmons, and Spice 1 criticized Akademiks for calling older rappers "dusty." This criticism highlighted the ongoing tensions within the hip-hop community regarding his comments.

Recent Developments

Akademiks continues to evolve his career, navigating new platforms and facing legal challenges.

23. 23In April 2023, Akademiks announced that he would begin livestreaming exclusively on Rumble. He cited the monetary offer and lax moderation policies as reasons for this decision.
24. 24On May 14, 2024, a lawsuit was filed by Fauziya "Ziya" Abashe in the Superior Court of New Jersey against Akademiks, accusing him of rape, sexual assault, and defamation stemming from an incident at his home in July 2022.
25. 25During the Drake-Kendrick Lamar beef, Akademiks publicly expressed his continuous support for Canadian singer-rapper Drake. Lamar referenced him in "6:16 in LA," calling him "compromised."
26. 26In 2024, Akademiks reminisced about his days listening to the radio during high school and aspiring to reach the heights of media megastars. He attributed his success to a fervent passion for the industry and meticulously calculated moves, drawing inspiration from media pioneers like Vlad TV.
27. 27Akademiks emphasized the importance of sustained effort in maintaining his top position on the Complex Hip-Hop Media Power List. He acknowledged emerging talents like Kai Cenat, noting that their collective efforts are revolutionizing the media landscape.

Ongoing Controversies

Akademiks' career remains marred by controversies, reflecting the complex nature of his public persona.

28. 28In January 2025, Akademiks faced widespread criticism for using sexually suggestive language with a 15-year-old Twitch streamer during a livestream. He blamed Kendrick Lamar followers for the backlash while justifying his behavior as a misunderstanding.
29. 29The incident was met with immediate negative reactions from the internet community. Plaqueboymax, a member of the FaZe Clan, openly discussed the incident, calling it "nasty" and expressing his disgust.
30. 30Akademiks attempted to defend his conduct by stating that he helped the adolescent emotionally and financially. He attributed the harsh response to Kendrick Lamar followers and implied that his remarks were misinterpreted.
31. 31The event highlighted persistent worries about improper relationships between kids and adult material makers online. Multiple instances of sexually explicit language addressed at a youngster were present in the livestream discourse.
32. 32Throughout the encounter, 15-year-old Twitch broadcaster NourGxd frequently voiced discomfort. Unsuitable conversational advances were regularly turned down by him.
33. 33Discord moderator and FaZe Clan member PlaqueBoyMax openly denounced the exchange and spoke about the risks of using the internet.

Career Achievements

Despite the controversies, Akademiks has made significant contributions to hip-hop media.

34. 34DJ Akademiks is a well-known rapper, social media influencer, and media personality. His unique approach and provocative viewpoints have rapidly won him a devoted following.
35. 35Born Livingston Allen on May 17, 1991, in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Akademiks came to the US at an early age and earned a biomathematics degree from Rutgers University.
36. 36Akademiks frequently highlighted the newest controversies and rivalries within the rap scene on his YouTube channel. His frank and frequently controversial criticism has grown him into a prominent and occasionally divisive character in modern hip-hop media.
37. 37Along with his popularity on YouTube, Akademiks furthered his career in the hip-hop industry as co-host of the show "Everyday Struggle" on Complex. This role cemented his status as a key figure in contemporary hip-hop discourse.
38. 38Known for his frank and provocative criticism, Akademiks has been both praised and criticized for his unapologetic views on hip-hop culture and its figures.
39. 39Akademiks' rise to fame can be attributed to his relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to stay relevant in an ever-evolving media landscape. His drive has been fueled by a deep desire to excel beyond momentary success.
40. 40DJ Akademiks has significantly impacted hip-hop media by providing a platform for discussions that often go unaddressed. His influence extends beyond his own content, shaping the way many engage with hip-hop culture online.

DJ Akademiks: A Controversial Figure in Hip-Hop Media

DJ Akademiks, born Livingston Allen, has carved out a unique space in hip-hop media. From his early days in Jamaica to becoming a prominent internet personality, his journey is marked by both success and controversy. Known for his provocative commentary, Akademiks has built a loyal following through various YouTube channels and his podcast, Off the Record.

Despite facing criticism for his remarks and actions, he remains influential in the hip-hop community. His support for artists like Drake and his role in Everyday Struggle have solidified his status. Yet, controversies, including comments about underage girls and physical altercations, continue to shadow his career.

Akademiks' impact on hip-hop media is undeniable. His ability to stay relevant and spark conversations keeps him at the forefront, even as he navigates the challenges that come with his outspoken nature.