Meek Mill — born Robert Rihmeek Williams — rose to prominence via the streets of Philadelphia, carving out a lane for himself in hip-hop over the past decade. His uptempo cadence has become a staple in the 30-year-old’s arsenal, but what should also be highlighted is his thorough story-telling ability that can evoke chills from just about anybody. Meek’s debut LP, Dreams and Nightmares, exemplifies his life story to this very day.
In early November, the Philadelphia emcee was found guilty of violating his probation dating back to a 2008 conviction for gun and drug possession, leading to a sentence of 2-4 years in jail. As a result, the city of Philly is rallying behind their hero, with a planned rally outside the criminal justice center to protest Meek’s harsh sentencing. Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin even wrote a letter to Judge Genece E. Brinkley to testify on Meek Mill’s behalf about his character and need in the community, while begging for leniency on his sentence.
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Throughout his life, Meek has persevered through obstacles and looking at his music career — getting past the beefs, feuds, relationships and everything in between — the embattled emcee still boasts one of the most decorated discographies of any artist in hip-hop. Ranging from his classic mixtapes to three harrowing studio albums, let’s attempt to narrow down the best Meek Mill songs over the course of his nearly decade long career.
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15. Meek Mill – “Litty” Featuring Tory Lanez
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“It’s litty again” became the mantra all summer ’17 from the popular DC4 cut. The “Tupac Back” artist goes north of the border to connect with Tory Lanez as the duo teamed up for “Litty.” One of Meek’s engineers, Cruz, detailed how the collaboration came together: “We were planning the record for a few months. Record was already kind of already set up. And then once he played it for Tory, he was like he’s be good for this record. So they met up in Miami. He was playing it for Tory and then next thing I know, I’m sending out the record without the hook and an open verse for Tory. So then he left him with the record.”
14. Meek Mill – “Monster”
Fresh off of being locked up for nearly five months after a probation violation, Meek Mill linked up with frequent collaborator Jahlil Beats and went back to the booth to prove he hadn’t lost a step. The Dreamchasers artist dropped two freestyles, with “Monster” being released on the heels of “Ice Cream.” Spike Jordan directed the visual for the track, which featured a ‘Welcome Home Party’ for Meek draped in staples of vintage hip-hop fashion.
13. Meek Mill – “Traumatized”
The song’s self-explanatory title taps into Meek’s psyche as he flips real-life experiences into agonizing rhymes. “Traumatized” will give any listener chills, while the underrated Boi-1da-produced track has become a favorite of fans and a song they will point to when any Meek detractor disses his versatility as an artist. The street rapper painfully reminisces on losing his friend Darryl, rapping, “And when they killed Darryl, Renee had to see him froze on the ground Downtown/ I can hear the sounds now. When she walked up to that casket seen her son and fell down.”
12. Meek Mill – “R.I.C.O.” Featuring Drake
This infamous record started Drake and Meek Mill’s feud back in 2015, after the 30-year-old fired off a tweet alleging Drizzy didn’t even pen his own verse on the melodic “R.I.C.O.” After successfully connecting on Dreams and Nightmares standout track “Amen,” the duo’s follow up did not disappoint over the Vinylz co-production. The brash song is Meek’s second highest charting record on the Billboard Hot 100, topping out at 40 in August, 2015. Relish in this one — you shouldn’t expect Drake to be on another Meek Mill song anytime soon.
He ain’t even write that verse on my album and if I woulda knew I woulda took it off my album….. I don’t trick my fans! Lol
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) July 22, 2015
11. Meek Mill – “Levels”
Meek’s brash lyricist returned with his vintage flow on the 2013 “Levels,” which originally was supposed to be the first single on Dreamchasers 3, but ended up serving as the lead record off of the MMG compilation album, Self Made 3. The song’s repeated chorus, “There’s levels to this shit,” became a popular social media punch line for fans boasting wealth of a certain facet. The official visual showcases Meek’s lavish lifestyle and currently has over 25 million views on YouTube.
10. Meek Mill – “Lil N—a Snupe”
Addarren Ross, known as Lil’ Snupe, was murdered on June 20, 2013. The 18-year-old was shot twice fatally by now 40-year-old Tony Holden in his home-town of Winnfield, Louisiana. Meek was distraught over the news of his late signee and elected to put that energy and emotion into a track serving as an ode to the fallen rapper, “Lil N—a Snupe.” You can hear the pain in the MMG artist’s voice rapping swiftly on the track, “They killed my lil n—a Snupe, my lil n—a was the truth/ And all he wanted was a coupe, all he wanted was a coupe/ So what’s a n—a ‘sposed to do?/ Tell ’em put the guns down or tell lil n—a shoot?/ Cause they’ll do the same to me, do the same shit to you.”
New shit off #DC3 My N*gga Snupe #riplilsnupe http://t.co/tHVmr8VZEq pic.twitter.com/vBpBbWDFkX
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) August 14, 2013
9. Meek Mill – “Tony Story”
A three-part series that was eventually flipped into a novel, “Tony Story” details friends that back-stabbed each other for personal profit, while others get involved seeking revenge for what was taken. This fictional tale probably played out multiple times while Meek was just a boy running around the streets of Philly, but gives an introspective look at his talented story-telling abilities through the heart-pounding bass laid down by Jahlil Beats.
8. Meek Mill – “House Party” Featuring Young Chris
“House Party” is another timeless anthem from Meek’s Dreamchasers original mixtape. Teaming up with fellow Philly native Young Chris for the assist on “House Party,” helped the record become a staple for college parties across the country in 2011. The turned up visual sees cameos from French Montana, who Meek shouts out on the song, as well as MMG boss Rick Ross. A “House Party” remix made an appearance on Dreamchasers 2, with features from Fabolous, Wale and Mac Miller.
7. Meek Mill – “Young and Getting It” Featuring Kirko Bangz
The first single from Meek’s 2012 debut LP, he once again teams up with Jahlil Beats on the boards, while calling on Houston native Kirko Bangz for the assist on “Young & Getting’ It.” As proof of its impact, after the Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson scored 52 points against the Sacramento Kings in 2015, the shooting guard credited listening to the Meek Mill song prior to his epic performance.
Klay Thompson told NBA TV before the game he listened to Meek Mill’s “Young & Gettin’ It” and ate a ham and cheese panini.
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) January 24, 2015
6. Meek Mill – “Amen” Featuring Drake
This may not be your Pastor’s favorite record, but Drake and Meek collided on the churchy Jahlil Beats and Key Wane-produced track. “Amen” gained steam on Dreamchasers 2 before being featured as a lead single onto Meek’s debut album, Dreams and Nightmares. Jeremih angelically croons through the background vocals to the song’s third verse. Check out the industry superstars living lavishly in the Benny Boom-directed visual.
5. Meek Mill – “Burn” Featuring Big Sean
The embattled rapper continued with the Dreamchasers mixtape series, proving he had staying power with the 2012 Dreamchasers 2 sequel. Meek called on Detroit native Big Sean for the assist on “Burn,” another Jahlil Beats-produced banger featuring the two emerging emcees attempting to top one another with each precocious verse. “Burn” ended up with an appearance on the Dreams and Nightmares deluxe edition, showcasing the future of hip-hop was in good hands between the rising stars.
4. Meek Mill – “All Eyes on You” Featuring Nicki Minaj & Chris Brown
Nicki Minaj and the Philadelphia emcee exemplified relationship goals throughout their two-year union. “All Eyes on You” marked their sixth collaboration, but the emotional record details their first encounters before becoming a couple. Chris Brown turned back the clock giving the Dreams Worth More Than Money single a vintage chorus for the soothing radio record. The trio’s effort gave Meek his highest charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 21 during August 2015. The Pinkprint artist and Meek broke off their relationship at the top of 2017.
3. Meek Mill – “Ima Boss” Featuring Rick Ross
Meek Milly teams up with MMG head honcho Rick Ross for his introduction to mainstream success over the tuneful Jahlil Beats produced track. “Ima Boss” helped define Meek’s Dreamchasers mixtape legacy, as one of the stand out timeless records that can still be heard over the radio airwaves six years later. The raw visual boasts over 68 million views and sees an appearance from MMG label mate Wale, while the 30-year-old rides around on his street bike performing tricks. The DJ Khaled engineered remix featured superstars: Lil Wayne, Birdman, Swizz Beatz along with Rozay co-signing Meek for his Billboard Hot 100 chart debut, peaking at No. 51 back in early 2012.
2. Meek Mill – “Left Hollywood”
Leading up to celebrating his 30th birthday, the Philly resident gifted fans with a three-track EP titled, Meekend Music. The cathartic “Left Hollywood” details why Meek had to ditch the Los Angeles lifestyle and get back to the grittiness that molded him into an inspirational emcee. The Amber Run “I Found”-sampling record made its way on to his third LP, Wins & Losses. Just when the public thought the Meek versus Drake war was over, the Dreamchasers artist delivers what has been interpreted as a jab at the Toronto native to finish off the record, “Where I’m from if you turn 18, then that’s More Life.”
1. Meek Mill – “Dreams and Nightmares” (Intro)
Meek set the stage for his debut LP in one of the most memorable ways possible. The Beat Bully-produced, inspiring introduction sent goosebumps through fans, as the rapper narrated his come up from the bottom, persevering through the nightmares to live out the dream of wearing a Rolex while driving around luxurious cars. Before their beef, Drake had high praise for the record on Twitter back in 2014, saying, “Dreams and Nightmares Intro really one of the best rap moments of our generation…”