From losing a high-profile rap battle to winning a highly questionable legal battle to owning a smattering of classic records, Meek Mill’s trajectory to rap’s elite circle has indeed been an odd one.
But this decade has seen the rise of a definitive rap star in Mr. Rihmeek Williams, who just happens to be one of the few mainstream East Coast Hip Hop success stories left standing.
After enduring a five-month prison sentence saga where a parole violation had him painted as the Enemy of Pennsylvania State, Meek instantaneously had his stock rise and past transgressions eradicated in lieu of the celebration of beating the system. Yet, with a newfound spotlight, there is a newfound expectation to perform at a higher level. One that a jilted, newly released inmate would have a time living up to — no matter how talented they are.
Since his release in April, Meek and his team have moved with precise calculation; whether it’s appearing at the biggest sporting events, Hip Hop festivals or morning television shows. Which makes unveiling of the Legends of the Summer EP that much more puzzling in lieu of such strategic maneuvering. The four-song project virtually has no theme, no cohesion, no real reason to exist, outside of the fact that it’s a living warm-up for Meek’s mic skills.
Essentially devoid of any of his recent jailhouse woes, PTSD or culture shocks back into society, Meek aims to dominate summertime cookouts with joints like the Jahlil Beats post-club night rocker “1AM” (“Said she wanted some Molly, need to see her IDs/Get her smokin’ on cookie, now looky, she Chinese,” he raps, detailing the shenanigans) or “Dangerous,” with it’s smoothed-out symphonics and Jeremih’s croons. But similar to EP-opener “Millidelphia” (which is the upteempth adrenaline hollower in his catalog), the songs don’t constitute as wack by any means but also don’t match the standard of his status all the same.
Legends of the Summer does close with a future Meek Mill greatest hits entry with “Stay Woke,” however. The ruminative number finds that battle-tested Philly spitter adding color commentary to hood injustices that rarely make front page news. Mike DZL’s jazzy production is reminiscent of Beanie Sigel’s “Feel It In the Air,” and Miguel’s atmospheric hook adds emotional vibes.
In a climate where record-breaking albums are falling off the charts in a matter of weeks and hashtag dance crazes help propel such an accolade to begin with, Legends of the Summer was probably destined to be forgotten anyway. But that doesn’t mean the initial post-prison rollout shouldn’t have been executed until Meek was ready to conquer the game.
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Meeks only notable song was Church, I’ma Boss,and maybe the one with Nikki. Anyhow rap fans moved on to the million other artists who came out the past few years. Him being in prison and being released was overhyped.
Its clear HHDX is on Drakes dick… thats all..
How so????
Get back in jail
Better than drake but still trash
Sissy boys hatin on this gig bc they love drake. You cowards should be ashamed of yourselves. Can you see your dads or grandfathers listening to something so horribly emotional
GARBAGE
WEAK MILL HANG IT UP
WAit so let me get this straight….y’all gave a 5 to that trash ass Carters album but a 3.2 To Meek?…what are y’all smoking….
Just how much drake dick has hhdx sucked? This EP was amazing with second best Meek Mill intro after DvN. Sad for hhdx.
HHDX y’all really thrash!!! Damn Drake really cutting them checks, I see!!! …Y’all on his nuts so hard, I’m surprised he even made a kid…jeez!!!
Why is Drake’s name coming up in this Discussion? That shit was like 8 years ago. Let it die sheesh shit
Meh, shit wasn’t any good tbh. Meek stans will talk this shit up doe like it’s amazing as usual lmao.
In don’t understand what there is to be underwhelmed about. It’s just 4 songs with different vibes that are all great in their own right.
What is with some of these comments?…”I don’t understand what there is to be underwhelmed about”……and this drake conspiracy shit??? Do y’all fools really think this shit deserves a 5?? It’s middling ok, get over it.
Respect, glad Meek is free. Ok, now for the real.
Meek has never been a great rapper, period. He has one flow and it’s tired AF after hearing it for 10 years. Meek Mill and Ace Hood are basically the same dude, a one flow boring rapper.
Wins and loses was a fire album. Hiphopdx didn’t rate that album cause I honestly don’t think they know how. This site is for the rap nerds. I’m no Meek fan but I’m gon check this project out. This might be fire according to this review. These guys here are always off on hardcore and deep rap.
This the same site that gave Tekashi 69 a 3.7(mind you that’s 1 point lower then the Nasir album) I went to listen to that album and that was one of He worst mistakes in my life
Hip Hop DX is killing the culture and doesn’t have any journalistic integrity. This is not a 5 star/mic…. but not underwhelming. That is pure hate. Underwhelming is that Scorpion album you rated so highly.
Remember all the articles Hip Hop DX wrote about trying to save Drake’s credibility after the Pusha T diss. Explaining the blackface? Interviewing J Prince on why Drake shouldn’t respond?
Hip Hop DX – We see through it.
Oh this bullshit again…gtfoh with that shit. Why is it that Meek fans can’t take any criticism of him at all. There always has to be some big conspiracy against him, he can do no wrong….right???
Drake album got a 3.8. That’s high? Oh let me guess he should have got a 0/5 right because only school girls and lames love him right? gtfohwthbs. There’s not reason to live with so much hate in your blood
This is the worst project review I have ever read. You don’t even mention the music until the 5th paragraph and somehow believes the roll out has some bearing on the actual music. This was an Amazing EP and fully highlights Meek’s song making ability (which was the purpose as you seem not to understand). There is something for every Meek Mill fan on here. There’s the street banger (Millidelphia), the Rap Love song (Dangerous), the Club Anthem (1am) and the socially conscious rap song (Stay Woke). This was clearly the intent of the project and it succeeded. How you didn’t get that is beyond me. Each of these songs were perfect for its intended purpose and audience. Every song could have easily been placed on an album.
Also, why do you point out that he has made so many “adrenaline hollowers” as if that’s a bad thing. DMX made an entire career off of making “adrenaline hollowers.” That’s what Meek does best. This project shows that he can clearly make other tracks as well, but why not do what you are best at? And why criticize someone for doing that? You don’t go to Steph Curry and say ” you know, you really need to slash more. You’re taking to many shots.” If the shots are hitting, let him shoot.
4 songs for everyone? how is that a cohesive project? I agree with the review. Only song I like is Stay Woke.
Sorry ass review but meek best days are behind him. Repetitive yelling. I know they want to label him one of today’s greats but seeing a lot of today’s rappers, that don’t mean much at all.
Anyone notice you don’t see Meek and Ross together anymore??? Is this the end of MMG?
Meek raps like he’s being chased down the street, running from an ass whooping.
fire
,3mic