DJ Akademiks, widely recognized as a prominent Instagram star, has built a massive following by sharing content centered around hip-hop and rap culture, along with sharp social commentary through his popular akademiks account. Over the years, DJ Akademiks has amassed an impressive 5 million followers who tune in for his unfiltered takes and lively online presence. However, his rise to fame hasn’t been without controversy. In 2022, audio recordings surfaced in which DJ Akademiks made disturbing remarks expressing a preference for underage girls—statements that sparked widespread backlash. That same year, another video emerged showing him involved in a physical altercation with a woman, further tarnishing his public image. Then, in May 2024, things escalated when he was hit with a lawsuit alleging rape, sexual assault, and defamation—a development that intensified scrutiny on DJ Akademiks and his conduct.

Before all the headlines and viral moments, DJ Akademiks—whose real name is Livingston Allen—was just a student trying to find his path. He attended the New Brunswick Campus of Rutgers University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biomathematics, showcasing a different side to the man many now know simply as Lil AK or DJ Akademiks. During his time at Rutgers, he also worked as a DJ for the university’s radio station, though he was eventually removed due to his controversial music choices and outspoken social commentary. His early brushes with trouble weren’t limited to on-campus disputes either; back in June 2011, DJ Akademiks and an accomplice were even featured on a Rutgers University Campus Police Crime Alert flyer after being accused of stealing computers from fellow students.

Despite these setbacks, DJ Akademiks remained determined to carve out a space for himself online. He launched his first YouTube channel in October 2012, initially focusing on his DJ work from Rutgers. From there, his digital footprint expanded rapidly. He went on to create multiple channels covering a wide range of topics—from mocking bungling criminals and discussing gang violence in Chicago, to live-streaming on Twitch and diving deep into hip-hop and rap culture. These efforts helped solidify DJ Akademiks’ status as a key voice in internet-based music discourse.

Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, DJ Akademiks had a challenging upbringing. Raised primarily by his mother and grandmother, he grew up without a present father figure and shared a close but complex relationship with his one biological brother. In 2001, seeking better opportunities, DJ Akademiks and his brother followed their mother to the United States, marking the beginning of a new chapter—one that would eventually lead to fame, infamy, and everything in between.