Meek Mill Biography

Meek Mill, born Robert Rihmeek Williams, is an American hip-hop artist from Philadelphia. He performed as a battle rapper before being discovered by famous T.I. and thus, getting his first record deal. After a short period at Grand Hustle Records, he moved to Rick Ross‘s Maybach Music Group. Meek released his debut album in 2012. Dreams and Nightmares went straight to number 2 on the US Billboard 200. The single Young & Gettin’ It reached the Billboard Hot 100. Moreso, he is known for his 2 singles from the MMG Self Made compilation Tupac Back and Ima Boss.

Career Beginnings

Meek grew in poverty and thus was a shy boy. He developed an interest in hip-hop due to his uncle being a DJ. At the age of 18, he was arrested for possessing a firearm and unfairly beaten. During his teenage years, Meek Mill was part of a rap group, The Bloodhoundz. They released 4 mixtapes together. In 2008 Meek got attention due to a solo mixtape and eventually signed with Grand Hustle Records. Though he considered “collaborating with T.I. was “an opportunity of a lifetime”, he ulteriorly chose Rick Ross‘s label in the end. In 2009 he got set back by being arrested again, for gun and drug possession.

Breakthrough

Under Ross’s wing, Meek released his debut single, Tupac Back, featuring Rick Ross. That same year he released his second single, Ima Boss, also featuring Ross. The song got a remix which included T.I., Birdman, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, Swizz Beatz and Rick Ross. The remix made it into the Billboard Hot 100. In 2011, Mill released Dreamchasers, a well-received mixtape – starting a series of installments. 2012 was the year of Meek’s true debut into the hip-hop industry. The single Dreamchasers 2 announced the release of Dreams and Nightmares. The album instantly reached number 2 on the US Billboard 200. In 2012, the rapper launched his own label, Dream Chasers Records. In 2015, Meek released his second album, Dreams Worth More Than Money, which topped the Billboard 200. In 2016, he released an EP titled 4/4, Pt. 2. and, additionally, began charitable work.

Photo credit: Billboard