Livingston Allen—better known as DJ Akademiks—is the Jamaican‑American media force transforming hip-hop commentary. From hosting Everyday Struggle to launching the Off the Record podcast and building multiple YouTube channels, his biomathematics degree from Rutgers didn’t define him—his bold voice and fierceness did.
- Early Life & Education
Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, he moved to the U.S. and earned a B.S. in Biomathematics from Rutgers University, where he was briefly a DJ before being removed for candid commentary. - YouTube & Rise to Fame
Created multiple popular channels—from Crime Fails and The War in Chiraq to King Akademiks—specializing in hip-hop news, commentary, and drama, collectively drawing over a billion views. - Everyday Struggle Era
Co-hosted Everyday Struggle with Complex and Joe Budden from 2017–2020, solidifying his role in pop culture and hip-hop media. - Podcasting Next
Launched Off the Record in 2021 on Spotify—a three‑times‑weekly hip-hop commentary series featuring roundtable discussions.
Why He Stands Out
Academiks masters storytelling—breaking hip-hop news with flair, attention-grabbing honesty, and a stylistic twist shaped by his Jamaican–U.S. heritage. His platforms have become essential viewing for what’s current and controversial in rap culture.
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