According to DJ Akademiks, he offered to take less money for Joe Budden to stay on Everyday Struggle after Joe left the show in a contract dispute.  However, when AK went in to negotiate with the Complex brass he was shocked to learn that one of Joe's stipulations to stay on the show was that he would get the final say on exactly how much AK would make.

DJ Akademiks Speaks On Charlamagne & Joe Budden Saying He was scared to do a show at Revolt TV On The Breakfast Club & Says Joe Tried To Finesse the Contract On Everyday Struggle pic.twitter.com/AA3P1xWLiN

— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2BIog) March 13, 2020

"He wants to basically sign your check and your fighting for his check," Ak said Complex told him.  "Bro, that sh!t blew my mind. Because I'm in this thinking this was just off face value and being cool. I was in the new building fighting for you. I was talking to the CEO, I was talking to the CFO, I was talking to n*ggas ... I was like 'why Joe not here' ... I never wanted to not do the show, I really cared, my n*gga. All y'all watching. Is there any co-worker that you love so much that you would say cut my paycheck to whatever.  Give that n*gga what he wants. I did that. And I dare someone call me a liar because I'll put contracts on the screen."

Budden responded to Ak's words on his Podcast:

Who’s side are you on ? @JoeBudden or @Akademiks pic.twitter.com/A7t3A7xEOz

— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2BIog) March 14, 2020

"We were getting robbed, all of us," Budden said, and then argued he's still responsible for the show's success. "He said Complex said I was in there asking for approval of what AK's paid.  I love Ak, I care about AK, he has not been in the business and we are all getting robbed ...  I only care about this show and the two n*ggas I sit with.  That is Joe using his knowledge and his information and attempting to do the right thing. Granted, you're right, because he can't see that, so he don't know. So he replies with this ... Yet another relationship when I create some sh!t. It does well for him, it continues.  He's probably killing Complex because Joe is gone."

Budden is clearly not denying that he asked for approval of AK's salary.  Do you think that's grimy, or is Joe correct that it was best that he take control of everything because of his business knowledge.