Remy Ma: The Rapper With A Story To Tell

How Much is Remy Ma Worth Today?

Remy Ma, the Grammy-nominated American rapper and actress, has carved out a substantial net worth of $4 million through her dynamic career in music and entertainment. Born in The Bronx, New York, Remy Ma, whose real name is Reminisce Smith, burst onto the music scene with her unique style and bold lyrics. She was once part of Big Pun and Fat Joe's rap crew, the Terror Squad, and she made history as one of the only six female rappers ever to reach the top spot on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart with the smash hit "Lean Back." Remy released her solo studio album "There's Something About Remy: Based on a True Story" in 2006. Her career continued to evolve when she joined the cast of the VH1 reality series "Love & Hip Hop: New York" in 2015. Remy’s talents also led her to guest-star roles in popular TV shows like "Empire" in 2017 and "Queen of the South" in 2018. She even hosted the late-night talk show "State of the Culture" from 2018 to 2019. In 2018, Remy and her husband, rapper Papoose, took center stage in the three-episode "Love & Hip Hop: New York" spin-off "Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies."

Her Roots: A Glimpse into Remy Ma's Early Life

Remy Ma was born as Reminisce Smith on May 30, 1980, in The Bronx, New York City. Her childhood was anything but easy. Growing up in a family where drug abuse was a constant, Remy found herself taking on adult responsibilities at a young age. She became the caretaker for her siblings and channeled her experiences into poetry, which would eventually form the foundation of her lyrical prowess. Her life took a pivotal turn when she met rapper Big Pun, who became her mentor after a fateful meeting and freestyle session. Under the name Remy Martin, she made her debut on Big Pun's 2000 album "Yeeeah Baby," contributing to the tracks "You Was Wrong" and "Ms. Martin." This marked the beginning of her journey in the music industry.

A Career Built on Passion and Perseverance

After the untimely death of Big Pun from a heart attack in early 2000, Remy found a new mentor in Fat Joe. He signed her to his label, Terror Squad Entertainment, an imprint of Universal and SRC, and she joined his hip-hop collective, Terror Squad. Remy's big break came with her performance on the 2004 Terror Squad album "True Story." The single "Lean Back" soared to the top of the "Billboard" Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Hot Rap Songs charts. This monumental success earned the single Gold certification and a Grammy nomination for Remy. In 2006, she released her debut album "There's Something About Remy: Based on a True Story," which debuted at #33 on the "Billboard" 200 chart, #2 on the Top Rap Albums chart, and #7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. However, Remy was dissatisfied with Universal's promotion of her album, leading to a falling out with Fat Joe. She eventually parted ways with both Universal and the Terror Squad.

Read also:

Celebrity Power How Stars Are Transforming The World Of Crypto Gambling

In 2007, Remy announced her plans for her follow-up album, "PunisHer," and collaborated with rappers Jacki-O and Shawnna to form the female rap supergroup 3Sum. However, her plans were put on hold when she was incarcerated in July 2007 for her involvement in a shooting incident. Despite being behind bars, Remy remained active in the music scene, releasing mixtapes like "The BX Files" and "Shesus Khryst" while awaiting trial, and "Blasremy" while in prison. Upon her release in 2014, she quickly returned to music with the mixtape "I'm Around," followed by the compilation album "Remy on the Rocks" in 2015. Remy and Papoose joined the cast of "Love & Hip Hop: New York" during its sixth season in 2015, further expanding her reach into reality television. In 2017, she collaborated with Fat Joe on the album "Plata O Plomo," which spawned the hit single "All the Way Up." This track was certified 2× Platinum and earned two Grammy nominations. Remy also ventured into fashion, opening her women's clothing store, Conceited, in Raleigh, North Carolina, in August 2017. She continued to release singles like "Wake Me Up" featuring Lil' Kim and "Melanin Magic" featuring Chris Brown, showcasing her continued relevance in the music industry.

Behind the Scenes: Remy Ma's Personal Journey

Remy Ma's personal life has been as eventful as her career. In July 2007, she turned herself in to the NYPD after being involved in a confrontation outside a pizzeria that resulted in the shooting of Makeda Barnes-Joseph. Barnes-Joseph accused Remy of being her shooter, leading to Remy's conviction in March 2008 for illegal weapon possession, assault, and attempted coercion. Barnes-Joseph subsequently sued Remy for $80 million due to the surgeries she underwent following the attack, but Remy's lawyers argued that she was serving an eight-year prison sentence and unlikely to be released until 2015. While incarcerated, Remy married rapper Papoose, whose real name is Shamele Mackie, over the phone in May 2008 after he attempted to smuggle a key into the prison and was banned for six months. Remy was released from the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women on August 1, 2014, after serving six years of her sentence. She and Papoose officially tied the knot in a wedding ceremony at the Aria Wedding and Banquet facility in Connecticut on December 17, 2015. The couple welcomed their daughter, Reminisce, on December 14, 2018. Remy also has a son, Jayson, born in 2000 from a previous relationship, and she is a stepmother to Papoose's three children from earlier relationships: Dejanae, Shamele, and Destiny. In 2018, Remy launched her clothing line, The Remy Ma Collection, with a commitment to donating a portion of the proceeds to the Remy Ma Foundation, aimed at supporting women who have been incarcerated. In May 2019, she turned herself in to the police after being accused of assault by her "Love & Hip Hop" co-star Brittney Taylor, but the charges were dropped in December due to lack of evidence.

Honors and Achievements: Remy Ma's Legacy in Music

Remy Ma's impact on the music industry has been recognized with numerous accolades. She has been nominated for three Grammy Awards: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Lean Back" in 2005 and Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for "All the Way Up" in 2016. The success of "All The Way Up" also earned her two Soul Train Music Awards (Best Collaboration and the Rhythm & Bars Award) and a BET Hip Hop Award for Best Collabo, Duo or Group. She received additional nominations for Best Hip-Hop Video and the People's Champ Award. Remy has been nominated for seven BET Awards, winning the prestigious Best Female Hip-Hop Artist award in 2005 and 2017. Her contributions to music have cemented her place as one of the most influential female rappers in history.