Meek Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Meek Mill
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Meek Mill performing in Philadelphia, 2015
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Robert Rihmeek Williams
May 6, 1987 |
| Other names | Meek Millz |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Organization | Reform Alliance |
| Television | Free Meek |
| Partner(s) | Nicki Minaj (2015–2017) |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Hip hop |
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| Signature | |
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Robert Rihmeek Williams (born May 6, 1987), known as Meek Mill, is an American rapper. He grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started his music journey as a battle rapper, where artists compete with rhymes. Later, he formed a rap group called The Bloodhoundz.
In 2008, he signed with T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records. He later joined Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group (MMG) in 2011. He became well-known after his songs on the Self Made Vol. 1 album. His songs "Tupac Back" and "Ima Boss" became very popular.
Meek Mill's first album, Dreams and Nightmares (2012), reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart. His second album, Dreams Worth More Than Money (2015), hit number one. His fourth album, Championships (2018), also topped the charts. The song "Going Bad" from that album is his highest-charting song. In 2012, he started his own record label, Dream Chasers Records.
Meek Mill has also become a strong voice for changing the justice system. He co-founded the Reform Alliance with Jay-Z. This group works to make the justice system fairer for everyone.
Contents
Early life and music beginnings
Robert Rihmeek Williams was born on May 6, 1987, in South Philadelphia. He has an older sister named Nasheema. His mother, Kathy Williams, faced tough times growing up. Meek's father passed away when Meek was only five years old.
After his father's death, Kathy moved with Meek and his sister to North Philadelphia. They lived in a small apartment. Kathy worked hard at different jobs to support her family. Meek was a quiet child at home.
As a kid, Meek met his father's brother, Grandmaster Nell. Nell was a famous disc jockey (DJ) in Philadelphia's hip-hop scene in the 1980s. He influenced artists like Will Smith. This helped Meek get interested in hip-hop music.
In his early teen years, Meek often took part in rap battles. He used the name Meek Millz. He spent many late nights writing rhymes in notebooks. Later, he and three friends started their rap group, The Bloodhoundz. They would burn their songs onto CDs and share them with friends.
Career journey
Early career and mixtapes
The Bloodhoundz group released four mixtapes. From 2006 to 2008, Meek Mill released three solo mixtapes. These included The Real Me and Flamers. In 2009, his mixtape Flamers 2 got attention from Charles "Charlie Mack" Alston. Mack, who had worked with Will Smith, signed Meek Mill to his company.
Around the same time, Meek Mill met T.I., a rapper and record executive. T.I. was impressed and offered Meek a chance to work with him. Meek chose T.I.'s label, Grand Hustle Records. However, Meek faced some legal challenges, which caused a delay.
After his release in 2009, Meek continued working with Grand Hustle. He teamed up with DJ Drama to release Flamers 3: The Wait Is Over in 2010. This mixtape featured his song "Rosé Red." The song was later remixed with verses from T.I., Rick Ross, and Vado. Rick Ross joined in after fans on Twitter suggested Meek Mill. Due to legal challenges for both Meek and T.I., Meek did not release an official album with Grand Hustle. They went their separate ways in 2010. That same year, Meek Mill starred in a movie called Streets.
Joining Maybach Music Group
In February 2011, Rick Ross announced that Meek Mill had signed with his Maybach Music Group (MMG) label. In March 2011, XXL magazine named him one of the "Freshman Class of 2011." Later that year, he released his first single, "Tupac Back," with Rick Ross. This song was from MMG's album Self Made Vol. 1.
He then released his second single, "Ima Boss," also featuring Rick Ross. This song was later remixed with many other famous rappers. The remix became very popular and reached No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In August 2011, Meek Mill released Dreamchasers, a popular mixtape. It included his hit song "House Party."
On May 7, 2012, Meek Mill released Dreamchasers 2. It was downloaded 1.5 million times in just six hours. In May 2012, it was announced that Meek Mill signed with Roc Nation for management.
On June 19, 2012, "Amen" was released as the main single from his first studio album. Before his album, Dreams & Nightmares, came out, Mariah Carey and Nas supported him. Meek even appeared on Mariah Carey's song "Triumphant (Get 'Em)." The album was released on October 30, 2012. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Albums and new projects
Meek Mill released Dreamchasers 3 in September 2013. This mixtape featured many guest artists like Rick Ross and Future. In November 2013, Meek Mill said he was halfway done with his second studio album. On March 8, 2014, he announced the album would be called Dreams Worth More Than Money. This album was released on June 28, 2015. It reached the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
Meek Mill later released his mixtape DC4 on October 28, 2016. On July 21, 2017, he released his third studio album, Wins & Losses.
On November 16, 2018, Meek Mill announced his fourth album, Championships. It was released on November 30. The album received good reviews and debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200.
In June 2020, Meek Mill released his song "Otherside of America." This song was released during the protests for justice. On November 20, 2020, Meek released a four-track EP called Quarantine Pack. His fifth studio album, Expensive Pain, was released on October 1, 2021. It reached number three on the Billboard 200. In July 2022, Meek Mill confirmed he had ended his management deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation Entertainment. He stated they remain on good terms.
Dream Chasers Records
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On October 26, 2012, Meek Mill announced his own record label, Dream Chasers Records. He signed artists like Louie V. Gutta and Lee Mazin. On July 24, 2019, Meek Mill officially launched Dream Chasers Records as a partnership with Roc Nation.
Meek Mill explained that starting a record label was his next step as a businessman. He thanked Roc Nation and Jay-Z for their support. He wants to use his experience to find new, talented artists. Jay-Z also spoke about the partnership. He said Meek Mill is ready to lead the next generation of artists. As the president of the label, Meek Mill leads a team in New York. He also helps run a recording studio for the label's artists.
Helping others and activism
In 2016, Meek Mill donated $50,000 and 60,000 bottles of water to help with the Flint water crisis in Michigan. He worked with Big Sean on this effort.
In 2018, Meek Mill became a strong supporter of criminal justice reform in the United States. He joined with Jay-Z to create the Reform Alliance. This group works to change laws and make the justice system fairer. In August 2018, Meek Mill also gave 6,000 backpacks to students in Philadelphia.
The Reform Alliance has many important partners. These include Kraft Group CEO Robert Kraft and Philadelphia 76ers owner Michael G. Rubin. These leaders have promised $50 million to the foundation. The organization hired political activist Van Jones as its first CEO.
Personal life
Meek Mill dated rapper Nicki Minaj from early 2015 until January 2017.
Meek Mill has three children. In 2020, his then-girlfriend Milan "di Rouge" Harris gave birth to his third child. This happened on Meek Mill's 33rd birthday.
Discography
Studio albums
- Dreams and Nightmares (2012)
- Dreams Worth More Than Money (2015)
- Wins & Losses (2017)
- Championships (2018)
- Expensive Pain (2021)
Collaborative albums
- Too Good to Be True with Rick Ross (2023)
Tours
Headlining
- Dreamchasers Tour (2012)
- Motivation Tour (2019)
- AfroNation Ghana (2022)
Co-headlining
- Legendary Nights Tour (with Future) (2019)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Streets | Himself | |
| 2020 | Charm City Kings | Blax |
See also
In Spanish: Meek Mill para niños
