DJ Akademiks and Brandon Buckingham Clash Over YBC Dul’s Interview After Rapper’s Tragic Death
3 min read
Image via IG@brandon_buckingham
Tensions have flared between DJ Akademiks and YouTuber Brandon Buckingham, ignited by a controversial interview involving the late rapper YBC Dul, who was tragically shot and killed on August 26, 2024. The conflict arose after DJ Akademiks criticized Buckingham for allegedly exploiting the rapper’s death for views, prompting a fierce online exchange.
YBC Dul, whose real name was Abdul Vicks, was a rising star in the hip-hop scene. In an interview posted by Buckingham just a day before Dul’s untimely death, the rapper opened up about his life in Philadelphia, discussing the brutal realities of gang violence and even recounting a notorious incident where he desecrated a rival’s grave. The timing of the interview, paired with Dul’s subsequent death, quickly caught the attention of DJ Akademiks, who took to social media to voice his disapproval.
video is not monetized for all u weirdos ready to say something
— brandon buckingham (@Buckingham_Show) August 28, 2024
In his post, DJ Akademiks labeled Buckingham a “white boy voyeuristic” type, accusing him of being disconnected from the true culture of hip-hop. Akademiks implied that Buckingham, who is not from the hip-hop community, was exploiting the genre and its artists for personal gain, particularly in the wake of Dul’s tragic passing.
Buckingham, known for his candid and often confrontational style, wasted no time in firing back. Taking to Twitter, he unleashed a tirade against DJ Akademiks, calling him a “fat drunk p**sy” and accusing him of hypocrisy. Buckingham’s tweet went on to criticize Akademiks for his past behavior, including allegations of abuse towards women, and mocked him for being “afraid to go into any hood anywhere.” Buckingham’s anger was palpable as he challenged Akademiks, asserting that he had “10 times the heart” compared to the popular streamer.
To further defend himself, Buckingham released a video on his YouTube channel, The Buckingham Show, titled “My Thoughts on the Passing of Ybcdul.” In the video, Buckingham explained that the interview with YBC Dul had been recorded months earlier, on May 13, 2024, well before the rapper’s death. Buckingham emphasized that Dul had approved every aspect of the interview, stating that the rapper was excited about the video’s release and had expressed his approval during their last conversation, just 19 hours before his passing.
Buckingham also addressed the accusations head-on, clarifying that his video about Dul was not monetized, and he firmly denied any responsibility for the rapper’s death. He also mentioned that Dul had “money on his head,” suggesting that the rapper’s life was already under threat and that the interview had no bearing on the tragic outcome.
The spat between DJ Akademiks and Buckingham has drawn significant attention, especially given Akademiks’ own controversial history. In 2022, he faced similar accusations when music video director Spike Tarantino claimed that Akademiks had exploited the death of rapper Kay Flock, discussing his music only after his passing.
As of now, DJ Akademiks has not responded to Buckingham’s latest comments, leaving fans and followers of both figures waiting to see how this feud will develop. Meanwhile, the investigation into YBC Dul’s death remains ongoing, with no suspects apprehended at the time of this writing. The tragic circumstances surrounding the rapper’s death have cast a shadow over this escalating dispute, highlighting the often fraught relationship between media coverage and the lives of hip-hop artists.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
