Raised in the North Philadelphia section of the city with his sister and inspired by his mother and father; who died when he was five, Meek Mill began taking the rap game seriously at the age of 12 after losing a street battle to neighboring rappers. He says his desire to rap grew after watching his uncle Philly hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Nell. While hanging out in his neighborhood, Meek met three guys and formed the group, βBloodHoundz,β which consisted of Mel Love, Dat Nigga Leel and Young Pooh. The group lasted for fives years and Meek ventured on his own.
With a solo career in tow, Meek became one of Philadelphiaβs hottest underground rap artists on an independent label. In 2007, Meek debuted his Flamerz series, which stands for hottest songs and released his first mix tape, Flamerz 1, which featured the hit single, βIn My Bag.β
In 2008, Meek debuted the highly anticipated Flamerz 2 ββHottest In Da City,β which showcased more of his lyrical abilities with the singles, βSo Fly,β βProlli,β and βHottest In Da City.β Upon release of Flamerz 2, it caught the attention of founder and President of 215Aphillyated Records, Charlie Mack. Mack was immediately impressed with Meek that he signed him to his management company. During the same year, he met the founder and owner of Grand Hustle, TI. TI was impressed with his lyrical ability that he offered him an opportunity to travel to Los Angeles to meet with him along with the Warner Brothers Records, within one week both record companies offered him a deal. Meek was overwhelmed by the offers; however, he felt collaborating with TI was an opportunity of a lifetime and chose his label. An ecstatic Meek was on top of the world; a record deal and the chance to work with one of hip hopβs greatest rappers and then a set back occurred. He was arrested, charged with a crime and order to serve seven months in jail.
Meek pre-released three singles from his third mix tape Flamerz 2.5 β βThe Previewβ in August of 2009, which featured the chart topping hits, βMake βEm Say,β βImma Da Ish,β featuring Ms. Jade and βStarting Something,β in honor Michael Jackson. Within the first two weeks of its release, Clear Channel added it to their play list, which is an anomaly in the music business. In June of 2009, Meek began immediately working on his freshman album β Flamerz 3, βHottest In America β Gangster Grill Edition,β hosted by DJ Drama and featuring the songs: βBaby Girl,β βHottest In America,β and βIβm Killinem.β The highly anticipated cd is set to be released on January 19, 2010. Despite his stint in jail, Meekβs fans remained loyal, he currently boasts of 13 million hits on My Space and 20 million viewers on You Tube. Meek Mill has recently just signed to Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group.
In the future, Meek plans to establish the Meek Mill Foundation, which will mentor young males between the ages of 12-24 on the importance of βEducation over Incarceration.β He gives a shoutout to the next artist coming up named shizz.. He also plans to collaborate with United Community Action Network and the Lifers of Graterford Prison to address the violence plaguing our cities. To learn more about Meek, you can visit the official website: www.meekmillflamerz.com and for bookings or shows, you can call Charlie Mack at 215-910-4675 or e-mail: firstoutdalimo@aol.com.
2015 - BEEF WITH DRAKE
In July 2015 Meek attempted to air out Drake for "not writing his own raps" via popular social media site Twitter. These tweets resulted in a huge reaction from the hip hop community, however, the stunt went awry when Drake (Aubrey Graham) decided to respond. Drake released the diss track "Charged Up" during an Apple Music stream and an immediate response from Meek was demanded. Funkmaster Flex announced he would debut Meek's response live on Hot97. However, the track never came. After four days there was still no sign of a response from Meek, prompting Drake to release a second diss track "Back To Back." The response to this was huge and a harsh blow to Meek's career. Two days later Meek finally released "Wanna Know." This track received largely negative reviews and it was clear to most that Drake had won the beef. On August 2nd at the annual OVOfest, Drake truly roasted Meek Mill; performing "Back To Back" in front of various memes poking fun at Meek to a raucous Toronto crowd. Many fans believed this to be the nail in the coffin spelling the end for Meek's career.
Believe Me
Meek Mill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish I knew it then
But that wonβ²t let it stop me
You know I'll be back again
All the mistakes I made
Troubles that I live in
It shaped me into the person you see standing here
I wish you knew me
You canβ²t see me
Just how far I come
So don't judge me
You don't know me
Please, believe me
After the 3rd grade it was all As
Fuck the 5th grade was the hard days
Detention and suspension was an always
By the time I made the high school it was the hall ways
Yeah that was the wish . it was all pay
And we were all broke thatβ²s when a lot broke
Cat catches .
Picture me back then look at me right now
Before I . the 20 thousand
I go to complicate cases I had to . down
Living in the dark I am in the light now
You . hard then you shine harder
Iβ²m gonna ride like my last name's Carter
You donβ²t have to listen to me
You don't have to believe a single word I say
No. thatβ²s what my mother told me
Still I run out at learned everything the hard way
I've been trying no no
Oh yeah she told me to grab up I grew up
I stood up each day I move up again
Got a minute to say what I want
I am trying to make through everything
Whatever I am right or wrong
That made me how I am
And if a I broke your heart
Well I am sorry again
Thinking back when I was in a trap
Without a dollar to my name .
Nigger said thatβ²s what I think of that
Say chance for the better I am never thinking back
Now I could be . forward
Sin is so hard I think my . harder
Take . like a fish above the water
Man I am gonna survive
I put that on my mind
Swear to God how you . if you never try
I can't see no future like I am living on my ride
Every day I am living life like I could never die
New clothes in my in my garage
New chick in the bedroom new chick by my side
New watch saying this is my time so
Don't judge me just love me
There is nothing above me
My future is so pretty so I got . ugly
The lyrics of Meek Mill's song Believe Me seem to be a reflection of his personal struggles and journey from a difficult past to a present where he has experienced success. The opening lyrics show remorse for past mistakes and a desire to be understood and appreciated for the person he has become. In the next verse, he talks about his early academic struggles and how it led him to trouble in his school days. However, he has managed to overcome these obstacles and achieve success in the music industry through hard work and perseverance.
The chorus of the song seems to be an appeal to those who may not understand his journey and may be quick to judge him. He pleads with them to believe in him and all the work he has done to make it to where he is now. He acknowledges that his mother told him that he did not have to listen to what others said, but he learned his lessons the hard way. He has had to fight for everything he has achieved, and despite his mistakes, he keeps moving forward.
Overall, the song seems to be an anthem of perseverance and determination despite past failures and mistakes. Meek Mill acknowledges his past and how it has shaped him into the person he is today, but he remains focused on his present and future.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh man I wish I knew
I wish I had all the knowledge and experience back then
I wish I knew it then
I wish I knew what I know now back then
But that wonβ²t let it stop me
I won't let my lack of knowledge from then stop me from achieving success
You know I'll be back again
I'll keep trying until I succeed
All the mistakes I made
The mistakes I made in the past
Troubles that I live in
The problems and difficulties that I face every day
It shaped me into the person you see standing here
My past experiences have made me who I am today
I wish you knew me
I wish you knew me when I was younger
Back when I was young
When I was younger
You canβ²t see me
You can't see me for who I truly am
Just how far I come
You can't see how much I've grown and progressed
So don't judge me
Don't criticize me without knowing my story
You don't know me
You don't have a true understanding of who I am
Please, believe me
Trust in what I'm saying
After the 3rd grade it was all As
After the 3rd grade, I received all As in school
Fuck the 5th grade was the hard days
The 5th grade was a difficult year for me
Detention and suspension was an always
I was always getting detention and suspension
By the time I made the high school it was the hall ways
When I reached high school, I was constantly in the hallways
Yeah that was the wish . it was all pay
My childhood wish was to be successful and now I'm getting paid for it
And we were all broke thatβ²s when a lot broke
When we were all poor, a lot went wrong
Cat catches .
I'm unsure of the meaning of this line
Picture me back then look at me right now
If you compared a picture of me back then to where I am now, you wouldn't believe the transformation
Before I . the 20 thousand
I'm unsure of the meaning of this line
I go to complicate cases I had to . down
I had to simplify my life by avoiding difficult situations
Living in the dark I am in the light now
I used to live in a dark place but now I'm in a better place in life
You . hard then you shine harder
If you work hard, you'll shine even brighter
Iβ²m gonna ride like my last name's Carter
I'm going to live life to the fullest
You donβ²t have to listen to me
You're not obligated to listen to me
You don't have to believe a single word I say
You're not obligated to believe anything I say
No. thatβ²s what my mother told me
This is what my mother always told me
Still I run out at learned everything the hard way
I still made mistakes and learned from them the hard way
I've been trying no no
I've been trying my best and persevering
Oh yeah she told me to grab up I grew up
My mother told me to seize opportunities and I grew up to become a better person
I stood up each day I move up again
I got up every day and kept moving forward
Got a minute to say what I want
I have the freedom to express myself
I am trying to make through everything
I'm trying to make it through all the challenges I face
Whatever I am right or wrong
I accept the consequences of my actions, whether right or wrong
That made me how I am
My past experiences and mistakes have shaped who I am today
And if a I broke your heart
If I've hurt you before
Well I am sorry again
I apologize once again for my past actions
Thinking back when I was in a trap
Looking back to when I was stuck in a difficult situation
Without a dollar to my name .
I was broke and had no money
Nigger said thatβ²s what I think of that
I'm unsure of the meaning of this line
Say chance for the better I am never thinking back
I'm only looking to move forward and make things better
Now I could be . forward
I am now moving forward in life
Sin is so hard I think my . harder
I'm unsure of the meaning of this line
Take . like a fish above the water
I'm unsure of the meaning of this line
Man I am gonna survive
I'm going to survive no matter the circumstances
I put that on my mind
I'm putting all my focus and effort into succeeding
Swear to God how you . if you never try
I'm unsure of the meaning of this line
I can't see no future like I am living on my ride
I can't envision my future because I'm struggling with my current situation
Every day I am living life like I could never die
I'm living life to the fullest and taking risks because I don't fear death
New clothes in my in my garage
I have new clothes in my garage
New chick in the bedroom new chick by my side
I have a new woman in my life
New watch saying this is my time so
I have a new watch that signifies this is my time to shine
Don't judge me just love me
Don't criticize me without knowing my story, just show me love
There is nothing above me
I'm unstoppable and nothing can hold me back
My future is so pretty so I got . ugly
I'll endure any ugliness in the present because I know my future is bright
Writer(s): Patten David Clark
Contributed by Samuel H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lys Marie
Oh man I wish I knew
I wish I knew it then
But that won't let it stop me
You know I'll be back again
All the mistakes I made
Troubles that I been in
It shaped me into the person you see standing here
I wish you knew me
Back when I was young
You can't see me
Just how far I come
So don't judge me
You don't know me
Please, ohh yeahh believe me
Up to 3rd grade it was all A's
Forth and 5th grade was the hard days
Detention and suspension was a always
By the time I made it to high school it was the hall ways
Yeah that was them wish I had a car days
It was all pay
And we were all broke that's when the law broke
Cop catch us we don't say a word like our jaw broke
Picture me back then look at me right now
Before I'm 20 the 20 thousand...
I caught a couple cases I had to pipe down
Living in the dark I'm in the light now
You grind hard then you shine harder
I'm goin hard like my last name's Carter
Dwayne, Shawn... we play my life and I'll be born again
Oh man I wish I knew
I wish I knew it then
But that won't let it stop me
You know I'll be back again
All the mistakes I made
Troubles that I been in
It shaped me into the person you see standing here
I wish you knew me
Back when I was young
You can't see me
Just how far I come
So don't judge me
You don't know me
Please, ohh yeahh believe me
You don't have to listen to me
You don't have to believe a single word I say
No. that's what my mother told me
Still I run out at learned everything the hard way
I been crying no no
I been crying no no
Oh yeah she told me to grow up I grew up
I stood up and each day I move up again
Got a minute to say what I want
I'm trying to make up for everything
That I might have done wrong
But that made me how I am
And if I broke your heart
Well I am sorry again
Oh man I wish I knew
I wish I knew it then
But that won't let it stop me
You know I'll be back again
All the mistakes I made
Troubles that I been in
It shaped me into the person you see standing here
I wish you knew me
Back when I was young
You can't see me
Just how far I come
So don't judge me
You don't know me
Please, ohh yeahh believe me
Thinking back when I was in a trap
Without a dollar to my name I wouldn't think of rap
Niggas said I changed asked what I think of that
Say change for the better I'm never thinking back
Now I should be a power forward
Shittin so much I think my toilet out of order
Take em out the box they like a fish up out the water
Well me I'm a survive
I put that on my mom
Swear to God
How you gone when you never try
I can see no future like I am living a miraj
Every day I am living life like I could never die
Old clothes in my closet new cars in my garage
New chick in the bedroom old chick by my side
New watch on my wrist saying this is my time so
Don't judge me just love me
There is nothing above me
My future so pretty
Say God don't like ugly they lyin
Oh man I wish I knew
I wish I knew it then
But that won't let it stop me
You know I'll be back again
All the mistakes I made
Troubles that I been in
It shaped me into the person you see standing here
I wish you knew me
Back when I was young
You can't see me
Just how far I come
So don't judge me
You don't know me
Please, ohh yeahh believe me
Michael Kory
Still good 10 years later.
Alex Moore
Glad we can be here
Ugrit Than Tara
I believed that much more years we will be here again.
Andrew Chatmon
Still great 12 years later!
Mailbox
Every aspect of this song was on point. The beat, the hook, the verses, and especially the video.
Timelessocity
THIS!
Ms. Foxy
Man has time flown by πΏ, Dave you were an inspiration to me as a kid man! Loved watching you and Meek make hits back then! One love π
danny garcia
Love to see people of different races collabing and this track was dope too!
Tayo
Words can't explain how deep this song is. I'm a little confused on why I didn't hear this song in 2011? This song is top of the charts quality. And for all the people hating on Dave Patten, why? I'm a Meek Mill fan and never heard of Patten before this song but I think this song wouldn't be as good without Dave Patten.Β He kills it!Β
dominickhayden95
Right!!!