On “What’s Free,” an impassioned flip of Biggie’s “ What's Beef,” Meek launches a valiant defense of not only his character but his humanity. “Invisible shackles on the king, ’cause shit, I’m on bail/I went from selling out arenas, now shit, I’m on sale,” he raps on “Trauma,” one of several righteously operatic numbers tying black incarceration to the legacy of slavery.Īs always, Meek Mill raps with a level of buy-in that few of his peers could muster even in their imagination.
Yet he’s never made that case as passionately or comprehensively as he does on Championships, his first full-length since his release and the closest he’s come to sustaining the “1812 Overture”-intensity of his “Dreams and Nightmares (Intro)” for an entire album. All of his projects have told the story a man who, because of where he was raised, has never known true freedom. XXL named Dreams and Nightmares to be one of the best albums of 2012.These concerns aren’t foreign to Meek’s music. This shadows all over Dreams and Nightmares, an album that finds Meek exhibiting a dichotomy between achievement and the tainted journey.” In XXL‘s 2012 review of he album, the writer awarded Meek a XL rating, commenting, “If his MMG boss’ rags-to-riches ode sounds much more like a hammy motion picture, Meek’s street-ridden recollections make for a more realistic documentary. In addition to sales and radio play, the album was also widely critically acclaimed.
2 on the Billboard 200, selling 165,000 copies in its first week. Records and fueled by bangers like “Amen,” “Burn” and “Young & Gettin It,” Dreams and Nightmares debut at No. If you’re a rap fan and you’ve never drunkenly bellowed the lyrics to “Dreams and Nightmares,” you’re not doing it right.
The LP is also responsible for supplying one of the best hip-hop intros the Internet age has ever heard. He gave fans an autobiography of a Philly hustler while accompanied by beats from Boi-1da, Key Wane, Jhalil Beats and more. The MC told stories of his days by the corner store, his legal setbacks and a long road of struggle and despair finally ending in the fairytale of triumph. Blige, Big Sean, Drake and more, Meek’s relentless lyrical delivery was the focal point. Though the album was stacked with guest appearances from the likes of Nas, Rick Ross, Mary J. Philadelphia mixtape, his signing with MMG and being taken under the wing of Maybach Music Group don Rick Ross in 2011 and spot on the 2011 XXL Freshmen roster. Meek Mill enjoyed a considerable buzz leading up to his debut album thanks to his Mr. Today in Hip-Hop: Meek Mill Drops ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ AlbumĢ012: Filled with stories of the streets, Philly battle rapper Meek Mill unleashed his debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, on Oct. Though he has since taken shots at both in new records and freestyles, sounds like he’s steering clear of the drama on DC4 and focusing on the music.ĥ. He was still throwing shots at Drake after dissing the Toronto rapper last summer, but since then he’s become embroiled in another beef, this time with The Game and Beanie Sigel. The last time we got a project from the Philly MC was back in January, when he released the second part of his 4/4 EP. The tape is loaded with incredible features including Young Thug, Quavo, Nicki Minaj, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, YFN Lucci, and the late, great Lil Snupe, who just murders the outro. You can stream the project on Apple Music, cop it on iTunes or stream it via Spotify below. After years of anticipation, Meek Mill has finally delivered DC4.