Papoose is an American rapper and actor known for his prolific underground mixtape catalog, his single "Alphabetical Slaughter", and his 2013 debut studio album The Nacirema Dream. He first gained widespread mainstream attention through his guest appearance on the remix of Busta Rhymes's hit single "Touch It" and his long-running appearances on reality television.
Personal life
Papoose exchanged wedding vows with rapper Remy Ma over the telephone on May 12, 2008, while she was serving a prison sentence in New York. Following her release, the couple held an official formal wedding ceremony in February 2016, which was documented on television. On December 14, 2018, they welcomed their daughter, Reminisce Mackenzie.
From previous relationships, Papoose has three children: daughters Dejanae and Destiny, and a son, Shamele. He is also the cousin of hip-hop record producer Pi'erre Bourne.
In May 2025, Papoose filed for divorce from Remy Ma in New York, citing irreconcilable differences. Following the separation, he entered a relationship with professional boxer Claressa Shields.
Early life and mixtape breakthrough
Shamele Mackie was born on March 5, 1978, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. His grandmother gave him the nickname Papoose during infancy because of his resemblance to a Native American baby. A matrilineal DNA test later confirmed that his ancestral heritage traces back to the Tikar people of Cameroon.
He made his recording debut in 1998 on Kool G Rap's album Roots of Evil. In 2004, he released the single "Thug Connection", which featured the conceptual track "Alphabetical Slaughter" as its b-side. After turning down an eight-album contract offer from Select Records, Papoose produced and distributed mixtapes independently.
His career gained significant momentum when he presented a mixtape to DJ Kay Slay outside the Hot 97 radio studios in New York City. Kay Slay invited him onto his radio program and signed him to the Streetsweepers imprint. Between 2004 and 2006, Papoose released over a dozen mixtapes, won the Justo Mixtape Award for Best Underground Artist in 2005, and earned a high-profile guest verse on Busta Rhymes's 2006 "Touch It" remix alongside the Flipmode Squad.
The Nacirema Dream and independent releases
In August 2006, Papoose signed a recording contract with Jive Records valued at $1.5 million to create his debut studio album, The Nacirema Dream. Label complications delayed the project, and in September 2007, DJ Kay Slay announced that they had severed ties with Jive. Papoose retained the full financial advance and returned to releasing music independently, dropping numerous mixtapes over the following five years.
After completing 27 mixtapes across seven years of independent production, Papoose partnered with Fontana Distribution to officially release The Nacirema Dream on March 26, 2013. The album debuted at number 97 on the Billboard 200 chart and featured singles such as "On Top of My Game" and "Get At Me".
He continued releasing studio projects independently, including You Can't Stop Destiny in 2015, Underrated in 2019, and Endangered Species in 2020, alongside continuous mixtape releases such as Hoodie Season and Cigar Society.
Television, film, and executive roles
Beyond his musical releases, Papoose expanded into acting and reality television. He appeared in the 2008 crime thriller film Righteous Kill alongside Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. In 2015, he joined the cast of VH1's reality television franchise Love & Hip Hop: New York for its sixth season, later becoming a main cast member for seasons nine and ten.
His television work extended into several spin-offs and holiday specials, including Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies, Remy & Papoose: A Merry Mackie Holiday, and The Love Edition. In January 2023, digital music distribution company TuneCore appointed Papoose as its head of hip-hop.
Quick facts
- His grandmother gave him the nickname Papoose due to his baby resemblance to a Native American infant.
- A matrilineal DNA test showed that his ancestral lineage traces to the Tikar people of modern-day Cameroon.
- He made his professional recording debut on Kool G Rap's 1998 studio album Roots of Evil.
- He rejected an eight-album recording deal offered by Select Records early in his underground career.
- He won the Justo Mixtape Award for Best Underground Artist in 2005.
- DJ Kay Slay signed him to the Streetsweepers imprint after Papoose handed him a demo mixtape outside the Hot 97 radio station.
- He kept his 1.5 million dollar advance from Jive Records despite parting ways with the label before releasing an album.
- He married rapper Remy Ma over the telephone on May 12, 2008, while she was incarcerated.
- He appeared in the 2008 motion picture Righteous Kill.
- Music distributor TuneCore hired him as its head of hip-hop in January 2023.
- He is the first cousin of record producer Pi'erre Bourne.
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