Remy Ma, the American rapper, is renowned for her powerful voice, sharp lyrics, and dynamic presence in hip-hop. She’s one of the few women in rap to achieve platinum sales and significant awards. After her release from prison, she completely turned her life around, earning a Grammy and television fame. This artist, who has become a voice for struggle, strength, and authenticity in American hip-hop, is featured next on bronxanka.com.
Early Career and Meeting Big Pun
Remy Ma, born Reminisce Smith, grew up in a low-income neighborhood in the Bronx. From an early age, life threw challenges her way. Her family struggled with drug issues, and young Remy took on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings. To escape her painful reality, she started writing poetry, which quickly gained traction in her neighborhood. One day, her talent caught the attention of the legendary Big Pun. In high school, Remy attended a Def Jam promo tour for DMX’s new album. The stage literally rolled out of a truck, a crowd gathered, and everyone was shouting, “Rem, you gotta rap something!” She was the only girl who performed that day and absolutely captivated the audience—it was her first time on stage. An acquaintance from a neighboring area later told her he’d introduce her to Big Pun. The singer recalls that first meeting:
“We went to Big Pun’s apartment, and when I walked in, he was sitting there in his boxers, getting a massage. There were just crazy guys everywhere. I started rhyming — the verse I rapped for him actually ended up on his album, on the song ‘Ms. Martin.’ But back then, he just sat there and said, ‘Alright, alright. That was good. Give me your number.’ That was it. I didn’t expect him to call.”
But a couple of days later, the phone rang, and Big Pun told Remy he was waiting outside her house. From that day on, everything took off. She braided his hair, and then went with him to a video shoot with Jennifer Lopez. That’s where Pun introduced her to Fat Joe, saying, “This is my rapper.” From that moment, Remy spent her evenings in the studio instead of studying textbooks.
However, when Pun died, everything came to a halt. Remy heard about it on the radio and couldn’t believe it. Just a few days earlier, he’d shown her how much weight he’d lost and shared his plans… She was devastated: he was the only one who believed in her completely.
After Losing Her Mentor
Following Big Pun’s sudden death, another New York rap icon, Fat Joe, picked up the torch of supporting Remy. He signed her to his label, which worked with SRC and Universal, and brought her into his group, Terror Squad.
Together, they recorded the album “True Story,” released on July 27, 2004. It spawned the major hit “Lean Back,” which instantly exploded on the charts. The track held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks and earned Remy her first Grammy nomination.
The singer’s debut solo album, “There’s Something About Remy: Based on a True Story,” dropped in February 2006. It featured singles like “Whuteva,” “Conceited,” and “Feels So Good.” Critics praised the album for its sincerity, power, and character. However, commercial success was modest: it sold only 37,000 copies in its first week and 158,000 in a year.
Remy didn’t hide her disappointment. She accused Universal of a weak promotional campaign and increasingly felt that her talent was undervalued. Tensions escalated—ultimately, Remy broke not only her contract with the label but also her relationships with Fat Joe and Terror Squad, with whom she had recently been at the top of the charts.
A Fatal Mistake
In 2007, Remy Ma’s career was poised for takeoff—she was working on her second studio album, PunisHer, and planning an explosive female album as part of the rap group “3Sum” with Shawnna and Jacki-O. But in July of that year, she was arrested for shooting Makeda Barnes-Joseph near a Manhattan nightclub. The incident began with a conflict around 4 AM outside a popular establishment. According to the investigation, Remy opened fire due to suspicion that Barnes-Joseph had stolen $3,000 from her. After the shot, witnesses claimed the singer rummaged through the injured woman’s pockets looking for money, then simply left her to bleed.
Although surveillance video did not capture an argument, and Remy herself pleaded not guilty, she was convicted in March 2008, and in May, she received an eight-year prison sentence. During the trial, the judge emphasized her contemptuous behavior toward the victim.
Barnes-Joseph underwent several surgeries and filed an $80 million lawsuit against Remy. Meanwhile, the rapper served her time at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women in New York State.
Even behind bars, Remy didn’t stay silent. She released several mixtapes—”The BX Files,” “Shesus Khryst,” and “Blasremy”—and surprisingly gained popularity in Japan. Her style was highly praised in the documentary “Black Lifestyle in Japan,” where Remy Ma was named one of the favorite female rappers among Japanese girls.
Finally, on August 1, 2014, after six years behind bars, Remy was released. Just a few months later, she returned to the microphone—in October 2014, she dropped the mixtape “I’m Around,” and in April 2015, the compilation “Remy on the Rocks,” proving she not only survived but was ready to conquer the stage once more.
Rebirth
In 2016, Remy Ma and Fat Joe reunited to release their collaborative album, “Plata O Plomo” — “silver or lead,” an allusion to the infamous choice offered by Pablo Escobar. The first single, “All the Way Up,” was an absolute explosion—earning a platinum certification and two Grammy nominations. The album debuted at number 44 on the Billboard 200 and received warm reviews, with XXL calling it a “triumphant return.”
The following year, Remy ventured beyond hip-hop and opened her own women’s clothing boutique, “Conceited,” in North Carolina. From 2018 to 2020, Remy Ma also made her mark in television, co-hosting the show “State of the Culture” with Joe Budden. In 2021, she appeared on the big screen in the film “6:45.”
But her most ambitious project launched in February 2022: “Chrome 23,” a battle rap league exclusively for women. Its inaugural event, “Queens Get The Money,” made a huge statement: Ms. Hustle vs. Couture garnered thousands of views and was a real breakthrough for female rappers. C3 won the women’s tournament final and took home $25,000. In 2023, “Chrome 23” celebrated its anniversary with a bang—the battle between Hitman Holla vs. Eazy the Block Captain amassed over a million views in four days, becoming the most popular battle of the year on YouTube.
Today, Remy Ma isn’t just a rapper. She’s a brand, a voice for women in hip-hop, and a living legend who isn’t afraid to rewrite the rules of the game.
The Love Story Everyone Followed
Remy Ma and Shamele Mackie, better known as rapper Papoose, are one of the most public couples who have turned their once-beautiful love story into a loud, openly online conflict. A mutual friend, DJ Kay Slay, introduced them in 2004 at a hip-hop event in New York. Remy and Shamele quickly connected over their love for music and began a romantic relationship.
During the singer’s incarceration, in that difficult period, they even got married over the phone. Papoose supported Remy throughout her six years in correctional facility. After her release, they became a popular couple in New York and actively participated in the show “Love & Hip Hop”. In 2018, the couple had a daughter, named Reminisce Mackenzie.
For a long time, everything seemed fine, but in 2022, rumors of trouble in their relationship began to surface. Specifically, stories circulated about Remy’s possible relationship with battle rapper Eazy The Block Captain. Conflicts arose between Papoose and Eazy, even a physical altercation. In 2024, accusations of infidelity began to escalate from both sides. Remy publicly accused Papoose of affairs with boxer Claressa Shields and other women. Both actively exchanged insults and accusations online. Papoose claimed he wrote most of Remy’s rap lyrics, and she called him a liar. In 2025, Remy finally confirmed her relationship with Eazy. She did so publicly, in a social media video. In an Instagram Live, Remy shared that she regretted making everyone believe in a happy marriage, even though she and Papoose hadn’t been living together since 2022. Both had already started new relationships a while ago but haven’t officially divorced.