In a recent livestream, DJ Akademiks reignited the longstanding debate surrounding one of hip-hop’s most iconic feuds—Nicki Minaj vs. Remy Ma. The conversation stemmed from renewed interest in the 2017 diss track “Shether” and whether it should still be considered a clean victory for Remy Ma. Caught on video by Twitter fan page @joebuddenclips, Akademiks didn’t hold back as he broke down the battle with his signature no-filter commentary.
While DJ Akademiks doesn’t typically get involved in every rap beef, when he does, he treats it like a sport—complete with scorecards and criteria. And this time, he’s calling for a reevaluation.
According to DJ Akademiks, there’s a major detail that could nullify Remy Ma’s win over Nicki Minaj in the eyes of hip-hop purists. That detail? The alleged ghostwriting involvement of Remy’s husband, rapper Papoose.
“If Remy Ma – which a lot of people believe she won the battle versus Nicki Minaj,” Ak said during the stream. “If she won the battle because of the song ‘Shether,’ but it was written by Papoose, that’s a disqualification. I’m sorry.”
Akademiks pointed out that Papoose, known for his technical skill and lyrical prowess—especially on tracks like “Alphabetical Slaughter”—might have had too much influence on “Shether,” a diss track that shook the internet when it dropped. “This n***a Papoose been rhyming words for a living,” he emphasized.
DJ Akademiks Suggests Nicki Minaj Deserves a Reassessment in Feud with Remy Ma
Ak then posed the key question to his audience: “Is that fair game though, chat? If your husband is also a great rapper and he wrote you some raps, is that ghostwritten or is that just what the family said?” The debate isn’t just about writing credits—it’s about the integrity of battle rap and whether outside help, especially from a skilled rapper like Papoose, crosses the line.
“Shether,” released by Remy Ma in early 2017, was a seven-minute lyrical assault that aimed directly at Nicki Minaj, addressing everything from her alleged plastic surgery to industry relationships. The track was widely celebrated at the time, especially on social media, and many crowned Remy the victor of the beef.
In response, Nicki Minaj released “No Frauds” alongside Drake and Lil Wayne, which had a polished and commercial vibe but didn’t strike the same nerve as “Shether.” At the time, some critics and fans viewed Nicki’s response as weaker, and it allowed Remy’s track to live longer in the culture.
However, DJ Akademiks argues that if the narrative about ghostwriting holds true, then it undermines the authenticity of Remy Ma’s win. “I think Nicki Minaj’s at least cultural loss in the battle has to be nullified,” he stated.
The controversy also touches on a deeper issue within hip-hop: the double standard around ghostwriting. While female rappers are often scrutinized for receiving help with lyrics, male artists historically haven’t received the same level of criticism—especially if the help comes from within their personal circles.
Akademiks isn’t outright dismissing Remy Ma’s skills but is raising an important point about fairness. If Nicki Minaj had used ghostwriters for “No Frauds,” the backlash would have been massive. So why should “Shether” be treated differently if Papoose indeed had a significant hand in writing it?
The debate isn’t likely to end here, especially with fans on both sides ready to defend their favorite rapper. But Akademiks’ comments have added a new layer of complexity to how we view the battle and Nicki Minaj’s place in hip-hop history.
Regardless of the battle’s outcome, Nicki Minaj remains one of the most influential female rappers of all time. Her catalog, cultural impact, and consistent presence in the industry for over a decade solidify her legacy. DJ Akademiks’ livestream may stir the pot, but it also highlights the importance of examining hip-hop history with a critical lens.
As the genre continues to evolve, so will the conversations around authenticity, artistry, and respect—and Nicki Minaj will undoubtedly remain at the center of them.
