Dreams Worth More Than Money begins with Hip Hop’s most audacious sample of the year in Mozart’s Requiem in D. It then reappears after Meek’s voice blares in through silence as though come from behind a thick red and golden curtain. There’s an arrogance here, acceptable but pretentious, that personifies the Maybach Music Group. They are obsessed with antiquity, with lavishness, with kingliness. And, at times on this fourteen-track album, reveling in Meek Mill’s joy is exciting. However, for what this album brings to the table in terms of bravado and superb production it falls short at the center: at Meek Mill himself. An exciting, yet unbalanced offering, it offers a glimpse of an artist slowly improving his craft, with possibly the best being yet to come.
This album’s best single is “Check,” which intriguingly only features Meek Mill himself screaming about how much he loves spending money at nightclubs over a Metro Boomin and Southside production. Ideally suited for popping 50 bottles at LIV in Miami on a Sunday night, that’s the last time we really get the Mill that many of his diehard fans have come to enjoy. Instead on his second studio album Meek’s all about attempting to showcase just how much he’s apparently developed as an artist in the past three years.
The best of Meek’s “improvements” are actually spotlighted here as a tale of familiar tropes from rap’s halcyon era of the 90s and early 2000s. OVO-affiliated producer Boi-1da crafts a swirling trap banger for “Ambitionz,” but that doesn’t stop Meek from deciding that this is the best time to indulge his love of Tupac as he screams “Ambitionz az a ridah” on the hook. As well, one-time Timbaland understudy Danja digs into the throwback machine and creates “Stand Up,” a track that bears a strong resemblance to Mobb Deep sampling Giorgio Moroder’s theme to the film Scarface for their 1999 duet with Nas “It’s Mine.” Throw in Bangladesh producing “Classic,” which features Swizz Beatz exhorting Meek Mill’s flow, and the Diddy assisted “Cold Hearted” and you’ve got a step in an introspective direction for Meek.
The modern age is here too and showcases one of the album’s most significant flaws. Much of this album is spent using guest appearances to elevate Meek Mill to a higher level of renown as an artist. Unfortunately though, artists like Drake, Future, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross seem to drown Meek out aurally, changing the sound of the album from his overt reliance on grandness to whichever sound suits the feature best. When placed on a track next to tough talker/screamer Mill, the finesse of their delivery excites while Mill’s presence wanes.
The best example of Meek Mill falling short is on “R.I.C.O.,” a track that has Swizz Beatz and Vinylz behind the boards for a punchy and off-kilter trap anthem. Drake’s featured here and says less than one bar into the track saying “the girl of your dreams probably is not a challenge.” That level of ostentatiousness is not quite the domain of Meek Mill, and when it appears on the album it sticks out like a shocking and exciting sore thumb, Mill unable to match his unique use of hubris.
The idea of blending Meek’s salty flow with the caramel sweet voices of both The Weeknd and Nicki Minaj is great in theory but falls just short in execution as Meek doesn’t necessarily have the educated and nimble wordplay of say, Blueprint-era Jay Z needed to meet his amigos halfway. On “Bad For You” co-captained by Nicki Minaj, the Ben Billion$ production hits a high note when Nicki coos “I’m a good girl but I want to be bad for you,” but that level of sensuality isn’t approached by Meek screaming “Surfbort, surfbort” in a clear homage to Jay Z’s Grammy award-winning duet with his wife Beyonce on “Drunk in Love.”
Meek Mill is 12 years into his rap career, has had hit singles with many of his album collaborators and is an artist whose sophomore effort falls short of taking him to the next level. On this album, he fails to consistently exceed expectations. When DWMTM is great, it’s because of the gorgeous production or due to a feature artist’s performance more frequently than when Meek takes the lead. Dreams Worth More Than Money is a slight misfire for Meek Mill, but enough is there the we think he can eventually achieve in his music the high he’s achieved in his personal life.
Good for working out. That’s about all. Seems like the same ole’ thing from Meek Mill.
I’m a bit disappointed with this album.
I have nothing but love for Meek, but the singles are wack.
Meek could do way better,
Garbage. Easy pass.
Not enough real songs on here for me to like
This album was dope especially the opening track Lord Knows. Great opener. I rock with this album. Haven’t stopped listening to it.
I love how this whole review is just shitting on his rapping style lol. The author is right tho
This is meek’s best release since dreamchasers 2.. Definetly a 4-star album. DX y’all buggin
Lol stopped reading after he said said check was the best song on the album hahaha plz
He said it was the best SINGLE off the album… Not the best song off the album. Reading comprehension is important dog.
I DONT KNOW MY DUDE I WAS LISTENING TO THIS ALBUM 3.5 IS A LITTLE GENEROUS
If a Nigga like this album I question ya musically taste,this shit is garbage
this album is really good
Too basic. Meek has failed to grow
Where is dat track with MIGOS. The first time when i heard it, i went crazy. Meek, you are so dumb
Meek made an album for the streets (that rider music). Better than last album for sure. Good sequencing too, stop the hate. You can like both Meek album and Kdot without there being any problems. Its hiphop!
Tell me Intro (Lord Knows, Classic w Swizz and last joint Cold hearted) not fire! I won’t spoil the rest bcuz it gets better w each listen. He screaming less and painting more pictures.
i give it a 3/5 better than his last but somethings missin classic, ambitionz and the trillest are my fave everything else is either mediocre or wack
garbage
Screams Worth More Than Money
The album is fire, everybody has they own style so for people to say same old meek you obviously aren’t listening to each track. His music is usually 99% street but this album is more diverse. Hiphopdx is trash when it comes to reviews so you can never take them seriously. The album is good start to finish, there was only one song i was iffy about but i still listen to it because it’s something different coming from meek. Yall can go back to your iggy though.
This shit got bangers on it. Fuck outta here
Meek’s promo singles, Monster and B-Boy, were better than this album.
To be honest I don’t understand why Meek Mill is apparently one of the top rappers out now..He’s just mediocre. There’s enough talent out here and hip hop is still doing quite well..but back in the day Meek would just be an ok rapper. It’s a shame he was shitting on J. Cole and Kendrick the other day, who both have a better resume than him and he should be more grateful to even have succes.
I like Meek, but just give me his best tracks. Otherwise, he’s too shallow to listen to his whole catalog. Some rappers should just release singles
R.I.C.O. – Drake murdered him on his own shit.
And Drake got his wack rapping ass whooped by Puff Daddy, and needed to body guards to fight anorexic Chris Brown. Like Mobb Deep said back on The Infamous “pretty boys frontin hard is the issue.”
Overall weak album, 3 dope songs, rest were mediocre at best. I love meek, but he can’t make a good album to save his life
Banger.. top 5 for 2015!!
solid offering
Good solid body of work.. 11 of 14 tracks sound really good. and the others aren’t bad. This album makes me feel good about whats to come in the future for Meek Mill. Lord Know is crazy! An exceptional 3rd verse on The Trillest, Cold Hearted is dope, Stand up is real smooth.. Those just some of the good specifics off the album. The skipper track is definitely “Been that” feat Rick Ross.. with that being said 5/5 just because of how much growth is shown, and how much potential he has…
He doesn’t inspire me
0 is the most popular ranking.
I just feel like he isn’t talking to me!
Meek Mill has some dope beats from time to time but he is ignorant and a perfect example of why we are losing as a race more ignorant music . Weakk overall.lol while he said Kendrick and cole aint talking to him …they need to be , their music is crushinnnnn this
Meek is inspired by Nas not inspired by KDOT and JCOLE….Come on man he is hatin’
I see Meek’s opinion on J. Cole and Kendrick’s music is jading their opinion on this album. I don’t agree with Meek’s opinion on Cole and Kendrick either but if that’s how he feels, that’s how he feels. Don’t be mad he’s not crazy about an artist that you’re in love with, at least he was being honest instead of having the “yes men” mentality that hip-hop seems to have nowadays.
doesn’t hold my attention at all…ever.
some good beats.
yuk
The album over all is great check isn’t even the best song on the album the best song is between cold hearted or I got the juice I would buy this album 3 more times
HOT……FIRE……RAPPING telling his stories his way……NOT MAINSTREAMED
MEEK KEEP YO FLOW REAL…….The world is ROCKIN YO JAMS…….We are have a MEEK MILL EURO party from Amsterdam, Ibiza, Mallorca Spain, Tel Aviv Isreal……Swhhhh, you got 150,000 plus fans…
Meek made an album for the streets (that rider music). honestly your a gay c*nt
So far all I have seen in this review is a comparison of Hov and Meek. Personally Meek isn’t comparable to Jay at all. DWMTM was completely over hyped and fell short tremendously. I thought that Dreams and Nightmares was unique and had a niche to it. Unfortunately I believe DWMTM didn’t achieve the status that Dreams and Nightmares has left and that Meek still has to a long ways to go before he is ready to release another album.
THIS ALBUM WAS UNDERCOOKED & WEAK…
TIME TO PUT DOWN THE BULLHORN…
Meek is the last of a dying breed.
5/5, all songs were bangers.
Why is a rapper from Philly rapping like he has a down south accent and sounds about as stupid as 2 Chainz and Migos. Don’t understand why these philly and NYC rappers are obsessed with sounding like the worst down south rappers. Not dissing down south hip hop, but these Northeastern rappers seem to think sounding like the worst down south rappers is going to lead Philly and NYC back to prominence. Joey Badass’ album makes Meek Mill like a crackhead rapping.
He should just start working as a bellhop. He’s trash, and he’s making music to detract from the movement that’s going on now with our people. He hated on two of the best young rappers out. Who actually have real talent. Cassidy was right. I don’t get how he even still had a record deal, his albums should be released for free. All he does is talk about money drugs and sillyness. His art is weak at best. I’d rather listen to boosie scream murder, and Lil durk yell for no reason before I purchase this album. Can’t even listen past track 3. #StopItMeek
I couldn’t stand the yelling.also it sounds like he got his nuts cut off and that’s why it’s so scratchy geeky sounding. Wack ass shit.
!
not what i expected
Too much stuntin’ on this album.
Dang these up North Dudes Hatin Hard , Meek South sales 217, 0000 first week meanwhile I can’t find a NY rapper to sell 25, 0000 lol #mmg
I do not know who taught you maths but its. 250, 000.
and for your informationrap isn’t in New York anymore. and no matter what ever happens philly will never EVER be relevant in the rap game. so go ahead sit down and obey guys that are really killing it. (MMG are not those guys btw)
kendrick 4 lyfe
Cole 4 lyfe
joey bada$$ did sell more than 25,000
Record sales doesn’t mean shit.The only people that should be bothered about record sales are the people that make money from it.I don’t care if a rapper only sells 1000 records,as long as the musics dope
LORD KNOWS knocks so hard and his roller coaster flow is on point. It builds up and hits when it drops.
R.I.C.O is fucking dope.
Like Jordan, I’m back on that Bullshit
Living in England I can be a little bit withdrawn from all the shit, and mark and album on its merits not who it’s bitching at, I find it funny when people say New York this, South that, west coast bollocks. There is enough top quality hip hop from all locations and I’m glad I can listen to it all and love it all. This album is good but not great, 4 quality, 3 decent and a few album fillers, my eyes that’s a 3.5-4 out of five
Fuq this review.
Dope Body of Work
dope
lame ish
lyte
His 1st album was better
Join the discussion
Meek mill is the release ever seen and best
of all love u meek
Meek remember haters makes u famous and rich best rapper. real niggas come 1st why u nigga’$ hatin on Mill
not a fan
lame. hold this l
Meek sucks