Few hip-hop relationships have drawn so much public adoration as those of rappers Papoose and Remy Ma. Their romance, cemented amidst strife and extolled as a testament to its longevity, was a shining example of devotion at its peak. Their marriage is now a public spectacle, with allegations of betrayal, child custody battles, and attacks on each other’s character playing out before the world in Instagram and X posts. This drama-filled saga of turmoil and contradictory claims speaks volumes about the difficulty in keeping private lives private in the glare of the digital age.
Papoose (Shamele Mackie) and Remy Ma (Reminisce Kioni Smith) are hip-hop heavy hitters who are recognized for their lyrical ability and very public romance. They began dating in 2004 and married in 2008 as Remy Ma completed serving her eight-year prison sentence for assault when Papoose’s staunch support received the admiration of the public eye. Upon her release in 2014, they finally staged a proper wedding in 2016 in the course of their reality show Love & Hip Hop: New York. They rounded off their family with their child Reminisce Mackenzie in 2018, and this too was featured in their reality show Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies. Their public reputation as a ride-or-die pair made their recent split all the more shocking.
The first signs of trouble emerged in 2022 when Papoose alleged he discovered Remy Ma’s infidelity, claiming it was not an isolated incident. Despite these issues, the couple remained together until their separation in late 2024. Papoose later claimed Remy Ma had prevented him from seeing their daughter since the split, adding a layer of personal pain to their disputes.
Rumors of infidelity surfaced publicly in 2023 when battle rapper Geechi Gotti alluded to Remy Ma’s alleged affair with Eazy the Block Captain during a rap battle. Remy Ma denied these claims, stating on Instagram Live,
“I never cheated on nobody”.
In December 2024, tensions escalated when Remy Ma accused Papoose of cheating with boxer Claressa Shields, sharing alleged text messages. Papoose countered, accusing Remy Ma of “repeatedly” cheating and expressing his desire for a divorce.
On May 22, 2025, Remy Ma went live on Instagram for over an hour, discussing her sense of freedom post-separation and accusing Papoose of neglecting their daughter and delaying their divorce. She also shaded Claressa Shields, calling her Papoose’s
“current come up”
Papoose responded the same day, filing for divorce and sharing the filing on social media. He claimed Remy Ma had tried to reconcile the previous day, which he refused, and accused her of multiple infidelities, including an incident where he found their daughter alone in the bedroom while Remy Ma was with a female companion in another room. Papoose further alleged that Remy Ma’s behavior suggested hypocrisy, given her alleged private criticisms of the LGBTQ+ community, though no public statements from Remy Ma confirm such views.
Social media has been central to this feud, transforming private disputes into public entertainment. Both Papoose and Remy Ma have used Instagram Live and X to share their sides, posting screenshots, videos, and direct appeals to fans. For instance, Remy Ma’s December 2024 posts included alleged texts between Papoose and Shields, while Papoose shared a photo of Remy Ma with Eazy the Block Captain from Christmas 2024. These “receipts” have fueled a cycle of accusations, with each party attempting to control the narrative.
The lack of independent verification for many claims, such as Papoose’s allegation about Remy Ma’s encounter with a female companion, complicates the public’s understanding. No credible sources have confirmed the specifics of this incident, and Remy Ma’s alleged anti-LGBTQ+ statements remain unverified, highlighting the risk of misinformation in such public disputes.
Fans are divided, with some supporting Papoose’s claims of betrayal and others backing Remy Ma’s narrative of liberation. X posts reflect this split, with users like @ShowCase_Mogul criticizing Remy Ma’s actions. This division underscores the challenge of discerning truth when personal disputes are aired online.
