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, “BloodHoundz,” 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 Philadelphia’s 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, “In My Bag.”
In 2008, Meek debuted the highly anticipated Flamerz 2 –“Hottest In Da City,” which showcased more of his lyrical abilities with the singles, “So Fly,” “Prolli,” and “Hottest In Da City.” 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 hop’s 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 – “The Preview” in August of 2009, which featured the chart topping hits, “Make ‘Em Say,” “Imma Da Ish,” featuring Ms. Jade and “Starting Something,” 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 – Flamerz 3, “Hottest In America – Gangster Grill Edition,” hosted by DJ Drama and featuring the songs: “Baby Girl,” “Hottest In America,” and “I’m Killinem.” The highly anticipated cd is set to be released on January 19, 2010. Despite his stint in jail, Meek’s 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 “Education over Incarceration.” 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.
Ol Skool Freestyle
Meek Mill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Abeg
Here recording man
2 AM
Nigerian time
I just want to let you know a couple of things man
No go think say because we dey rap we done change
You nor understand
Make I lay you, you know where I dey come from
Make you understand why I be like this
Last last
Yo, my senior Bros na cultist
My senior Bros na thief
My senior Bros na rapist
E dey prison like this
My senior Bros no dey go church
E and pastor dey beef
E fight for Warri crisis, shoot im own friend ′96
My senior Bros no believe in God na juju e know
My senior Bros no like igbo na cocaine e dey blow
If person beat me my senior Bros dey carry am for head
My senior Bros dey come, brother run under bed
Police know my senior Bros, e and them na friend
But my senior Bros no get friend, e just dey pretend
E no trust anybody na kpo kpo Kill im men
Na Kwale my senior Bros dey buy im ogumeh
E get one time my senior Bros gimme kala keep
That night kpo kpo raid the full area me I nor fit sleep
When them arrest my senior Bros the full area happy
Before them kill am e say "Erigga no be like me"
Ya (Ogbe)
As I dey follow you dey talk pistol dey my waist
In case you want craze na your life na im we go waste
No let the music go dey make you feel say I done change
To change am for you like Aboki won't
Cost me a thing (won′t cost me a thing)
As I dey follow you dey talk pistol dey my waist (yeah yeah)
In case you want craze na your life na im we go waste
No let the music go dey make you feel say I done change (yeah)
To change am for you like Aboki won't
Cost me a thing (won't cost me a thing)
Now let me take you to some places that you′ve never been
We dey call am Ekoro for Warri na you men go clean
Take you sit down ground collect your phone give you the SIM
Your ATM you nor be tailor guy give them the PIN
The last time this thing happen na back of Redeem
Wetin e do them e go match Akim ashadow clean
You dey craze you no dey see our chairman shadow? (Stop there)
It′s like their sense dey plate of water cos their thinking shallow
Ashawo dey call police for you if you fuck am run
And Pastor Amos, no answer am, na drug baron
Even mama Jitey wey dey fry garri for back
Them hol am yesterday with 2 kala for garri sack
Na 1999 be this area get as e be
And book no gree enter my head you know as e dey be
Mille dey cry, "Erigga yan ji street yi na wo"?
Before Ejiro die e say paper make am for me
(I hope I did)
As I dey follow you dey talk pistol dey my waist
In case you want craze na your life na im we go waste
No let the music go dey make you feel say I done change
To change am for you like Aboki won't
Cost me a thing (won′t cost me a thing)
As I dey follow you dey talk pistol dey my waist (yeah yeah)
In case you want craze na your life na im we go waste
No let the music go dey make you feel say I done change (yeah)
To change am for you like Aboki won't
Cost me a thing (won′t cost me a thing)
As I dey follow you dey talk pistol dey my waist (yeah yeah)
In case you want craze na your life na im we go waste
No let the music go dey make you feel say I done change (yeah)
To change am for you like Aboki won't
Cost me a thing (won′t cost me a thing)
As I dey follow you dey talk pistol dey my waist (yeah yeah)
In case you want craze na your life na im we go waste
No let the music go dey make you feel say I done change (yeah, abeg)
To change am for you like Aboki won't
Cost me a thing (won't cost me a thing)
And that′s it right there folks (it′s no limits)
Homies keep telling me, Erigga do that old you man
That two thousand and, 2011, 2010, you know what I'm saying
This is Erigma 2 for you man
But most times I no dey like go back
Coz e dey remind me of so many things
You no understand
And this na the last time I go rap about my past man
Make we face front
Forward ever, man
Day break everywhere burst
In Meek Mill's "Ol Skool Freestyle," the rapper shares stories from his past, highlighting the difficult circumstances of growing up in Warri, Nigeria. The song describes a world where crime, violence, and drugs are always present. Meek Mill raps about his senior Bros, who was a cultist, thief, and rapist who ended up in prison. He also talks about his Bros not attending church and being involved in illegal activities, such as using cocaine and killing people. The rapper also highlights the significant role of police in his community and how his senior Bros used to know them, but only pretended to be friends. Meek Mill emphasizes his commitment to staying true to himself, even as he recognizes how much he has changed because of his success in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Introduction to the song.
Abeg
Nigerian slang used to politely request or plead.
Here recording man
Announcing that the recording is starting.
2 AM
Indicating the time of recording.
I just want to let you know a couple of things man
The artist is about to share some personal stories.
No go think say because we dey rap we done change
The artist is telling the audience that despite his success, he hasn't changed.
You nor understand
Acknowledging that the audience may not fully understand his background.
Men still get that voltage
Indicating that he still has the same energy and drive despite his success.
Make I lay you, you know where I dey come from
The artist wants to share his background story.
Make you understand why I be like this
The artist wants the audience to understand the reasons behind his behavior and attitude towards life.
Last last
Nigerian slang meaning 'in the end' or 'all things considered'.
Yo, my senior Bros na cultist
Sharing details about his older brother who was a member of a cult.
My senior Bros na thief
Sharing details about his older brother who was involved in stealing.
My senior Bros na rapist
Sharing details about his older brother who was involved in sexual assault.
E dey prison like this
Indicating that his older brother is still in prison.
My senior Bros no dey go church
Sharing details about his brother's lack of religious affiliation.
E and pastor dey beef
Sharing details about his older brother's feud with a pastor.
E fight for Warri crisis, shoot im own friend ′96
Sharing a story about his older brother fighting in a crisis and accidentally shooting his friend in the process.
My senior Bros no believe in God na juju e know
Sharing details about his older brother's belief in juju (traditional African religion) over religion.
My senior Bros no like igbo na cocaine e dey blow
Sharing details about his older brother's drug use.
If person beat me my senior Bros dey carry am for head
Sharing details about his older brother's loyalty and protective nature towards him.
My senior Bros dey come, brother run under bed
Sharing details about his older brother's intimidating nature.
Police know my senior Bros, e and them na friend
Sharing details about his older brother's relationship with law enforcement.
But my senior Bros no get friend, e just dey pretend
Sharing details about his older brother's inability to make genuine friendships.
E no trust anybody na kpo kpo Kill im men
Sharing details about his older brother's tendency to take matters into his own hands and not trust anyone.
Na Kwale my senior Bros dey buy im ogumeh
Sharing details about his older brother's purchase of a charm (ogumeh) in Kwale.
E get one time my senior Bros gimme kala keep
Sharing a story about his older brother giving him a weapon (kala) to hide.
That night kpo kpo raid the full area me I nor fit sleep
Sharing a story about a night when the area was raided by unknown armed men.
When them arrest my senior Bros the full area happy
Sharing a story about his older brother's arrest and the area's reaction to it.
Before them kill am e say 'Erigga no be like me'
Sharing his older brother's last words before he was killed - acknowledging that Erigga (the artist) is different.
Ya (Ogbe)
Nigerian slang meaning 'okay' or 'yes'.
As I dey follow you dey talk pistol dey my waist
Indicating that he carries a gun for safety purposes.
In case you want craze na your life na im we go waste
Warning anyone who tries to act violently towards him that it may result in their own demise.
No let the music go dey make you feel say I done change
Reiterating that he hasn't changed despite his success in music.
To change am for you like Aboki won't
Indicating that he won't change himself to please anyone.
Cost me a thing (won′t cost me a thing)
Words of determination and self-assurance.
Now let me take you to some places that you′ve never been
Sharing stories and experiences that may be unfamiliar to listeners.
We dey call am Ekoro for Warri na you men go clean
Sharing a Warri (a city in Nigeria) slang term and its meaning.
Take you sit down ground collect your phone give you the SIM
Indicating the act of robbing someone of their phone and SIM card.
Your ATM you nor be tailor guy give them the PIN
Indicating the act of robbing someone of their ATM and forcing them to give the PIN.
The last time this thing happen na back of Redeem
Sharing a story of a past robbery that occurred behind a Redeemed Christian Church of God building.
Wetin e do them e go match Akim ashadow clean
Stating that anyone who tries to retaliate will face swift consequences.
You dey craze you no dey see our chairman shadow? (Stop there)
Taunting anyone who tries to confront them by reminding them of the power and influence of their group's chairman.
It′s like their sense dey plate of water cos their thinking shallow
Insulting the intelligence of those who step up to their group.
Ashawo dey call police for you if you fuck am run
Warning of the potential consequences of cheating on a prostitute.
And Pastor Amos, no answer am, na drug baron
Sharing a rumor about a pastor's involvement in drug trafficking.
Even mama Jitey wey dey fry garri for back
Sharing a story about a woman named Mama Jitey who sells fried cassava in the back of the area.
Them hol am yesterday with 2 kala for garri sack
Stating that Mama Jitey was caught with two weapons (kalas) hidden in her basket of fried cassava.
Na 1999 be this area get as e be
Indicating that the area has been in this state since 1999.
And book no gree enter my head you know as e dey be
Acknowledging his lack of education and difficulty in understanding academic material.
Mille dey cry, 'Erigga yan ji street yi na wo'?
Wondering if his friend named Mille is crying for him to share more stories about their street life.
Before Ejiro die e say paper make am for me
Sharing a friend's last words before passing and their desire for him to be successful.
(I hope I did)
Acknowledging that he hopes he fulfilled his friend's wish.
Homies keep telling me, Erigga do that old you man
Acknowledging that his friends want him to keep rapping about his past.
That two thousand and, 2011, 2010, you know what I'm saying
Referencing his early years of rapping.
This is Erigma 2 for you man
Promoting his second album Erigma 2.
But most times I no dey like go back
Stating that he sometimes doesn't like revisiting his past.
Coz e dey remind me of so many things
Acknowledging that revisiting his past reminds him of many things.
You no understand
Indicating that the audience may not understand the complexity of his past and emotions.
And this na the last time I go rap about my past man
Announcing that this will be his last song rapping about his past.
Make we face front
Encouraging everyone to focus on the present and future.
Forward ever, man
Stating his determination to move forward and make progress.
Day break everywhere burst
Celebrating the breaking of a new day and a new start.
Writer(s): Meek Mill
Contributed by Jordan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.