It’s sitting here, in front of a computer screen. Coffee to my right, iPhone to my right. Book open on my lap. A millennial air surrounding me. Eyes glancing at the clock. Only four minutes have passed since I last told myself I would start writing again. The headphones in my ears are sitting cozy as the song changes. I lost my original intention so I should probably start again. This is my meditation on distraction and it’s becoming clear who is going to win, who already won. I feel good but I know what I need to do to be better. It’s all about cutting out that shit. You know that shit. It’s looking up to see someone is doing the same thing, wondering silently in space with six tabs open at once. That kind of shit. The real key to success is rising about the inconsequential shit that is designed to make it that much more difficult for you to accomplish your goals. Like writing this little meditation. That shit.
REPOST: Each One Teach One | Meek Mill's 'Championships' is not a comeback album, it's a battle cry
As KRS-One articulated throughout his catalog and in his many teachings, "Rap is something you do, hip hop is something you live." As the culture continues to evolve today, many feel it's not only important, but vital to preserve and honor the fundamental elements: Graffiti, emceeing, breakdancing, deejaying and knowledge. This column called "Each One, Teach One" aims to do exactly that. It will highlight various lessons that can be passed between new and old generations alike.
Whether your introduction to Meek Mill was guided by the mainstream news cycle, such as through his high-profile relationship with Nicki Minaj, or more rudimentary, such as through his Dreamchasers mixtape series, the Philadelphia rapper has successfully navigated his way through the good times and the bad. This moment in time belongs to him and calls for celebration.
As fans begin to digest his fourth studio album, Championships, out today (Nov. 30), many are singing its praises as a comeback album from a rapper entering his prime. While that may be true to a degree, it is arguably more fitting to look to the new release as yet another example of Meek's resilience and tenacity.
The music industry, especially in hip-hop, doesn't allow much room for error or growth but Meek demanded it. It's less about a "second chance" and more about not having a "plan b." Meek was going to find a way or make one, a statement that becomes increasingly true when you look at his career trajectory, the obstacles he's faced and the work he's put in for over a decade now.
Throughout the past three years specifically, Meek's narrative, both in the court of public opinion and in his own words, has significantly changed and evolved. However, his mantra of being a self-declared dream chaser and therefore being motivational by nature, has not wavered. This is the case both with and without factoring in his own recent incarceration, unjust sentencing and ongoing legal battle, making his perseverance that much more potent and paramount. Before we get into that, let's take another look at how it wasn't all that long ago a powerpoint of memes accompanied a live performance of Drake's "Back to Back" at OVO Fest.
Considering Meek has not only weathered his way through losing a headline-dominating beef with Drake, someone with one of the largest platforms in the world, but went on to earn his respect is monumental. While the collaborative "Going Bad" dominates the conversation—in the moments when JAY-Z's verse on "What's Free" doesn't—the song further enforces that their reconciliation makes room for a different kind of discussion. After all, given his personal experiences being unjustly caught up in the criminal justice system, Meek is on a different kind of time and wavelength now. Watching him come into his own as someone with a newfound purpose is a full-circle moment that commands attention, respect and most impactfully, the floor.
Meek's innate self-awareness has brought him to this very moment: he is in control of how he responds to what happens to him and that is undeniably powerful. As he raps on "Get Free," "When you bring my name up to the judge, just tell him facts / Tell him how we fundin' all these kids to go to college / Tell him how we ceasin' all these wars, stoppin' violence / Tryna fix the system and the way that they designed it / I think they want me silenced (shush)," he explores the topics of freedom, preserving and agency, all while remaining authentic to his own experiences and perspectives. The entire song is an impactful one, marred only by Rick Ross' reckless, disrespectful and irresponsible decision to include a homophobic slur (his 2009 apology would like a word with him).
While part of Meek may have never forgotten what made him great in the first place, even if his self-esteem was put to the test after his back-and-forth with Drizzy, his ability to see the only way out is through is admirable, wise and relatable. His strength continues to be knowing who he is and what he stands for, even in he realization in knowing those things didn't arrive overnight.
As exemplified throughout the months since his release from prison, Meek admits he doesn't have all the answers but knows something has got to change. He sees how he has been blessed with resources to help over the years and while this current chapter may be a new beginning of his activism work on a wider scale, it's merely an extension of the community building he has been doing ever since he found early success in music. Those may be the things that get grossly buried by a high-profile beef or celebrity break-up, but Meek is taking back the focus to what is important in the long run. And this is why every "L" he's ever taken over the years is now insignificant; he's deemed it as such and the masses at large are beginning to listen.
During his press run for Championships, he sat across from Ellen DeGeneres to talk about his advocacy work calling for prison reform on national television and during their conversation, revealed that he and his fellow inmates used to watch her show from behind bars. When you break down where Meek came from and what he's been through, it's hard not to view that as being an extremely surreal experience.
Meek, however, takes the spotlight in stride, explaining that his new album has music for his day-one fans and for people who only learned about him through his legal situation. Interweaving his work as a criminal justice reform activist with his music allows Meek to do what he loves to do and is good at—rap—all without abandoning the larger driving force behind his newly refined destined purpose. He remains grateful to those who are choosing to give him the airtime, something that has been a constant throughout his time as a rapper coming from nothing and making a name for himself. Those humble admissions that he didn't first realize the scope his own legal situation aren't necessarily surprising to a degree but further speak to how, for Meek, he really is just trying to do the best by everyone as he can. It truly has become increasingly difficult not to support him and it's not without merit.
Of the many things we can learn from Meek Mill, one is that no action is too small and every voice matters. From organizing turkey drives for the homeless on Thanksgiving to kickstarting back-to-school fundraisers for those in need of supplies, Meek's call-to-action to get involved and focus on what's important is one that can resonate with everyone. That transcendence is an integral part of leadership and Meek's decision to move forward with intention is exactly why he's become exactly what he is and is destined to be: a champion.
Originally published on REVOLT TV here.
Rapstrology | Nicki Minaj, JAY-Z and securing the bag this Sagittarius season
Much like the name suggests, 'Rapstrology' celebrates the beautiful (and curiously slept-on) intersection between hip-hop and astrology. Whether exploring the Zodiac is a guilty pleasure hobby, something to roll one's eyes at, or a swear-by daily guide to WTF is going on, this column aims to explore the roadmap that is astrology, through the context of hip-hop, lyrics and current events.
We all have that friend who can remember exactly how much money you owe them five years after y'all thought you were good, am I right?
You know, the kind where whether you're hoping to get through a boring work lunch or catching up at happy hour or running into them randomly on a street corner, small talk always seems to bring it up somehow. Without fail. Either your friend's eyes burn into yours as if to say "You know I didn't forget, right?" or they ask you about it straight up, cards on the table. Who knows, maybe you are that friend. Either way, when it comes to the almighty dollar for Sagittarius, it's either already counted for or they're manifesting making some more right on the spot.
Sag boss JAY-Z's relationship with money, value and wealth has evolved significantly over the years, all while building a historic foundation brick-by-brick that he so eloquently speaks on today: financial freedom and generational wealth.
"Go against Jigga your ass is dense / I'm about a dollar, what the fuck is 50 Cents?" Hov spit back in 1999, firing a response to a then-unsigned 50 Cent. The G-Unit rapper, a Cancer, had arrogantly name-dropped him as someone he was planning to steal from on the track "How to Rob." Needless to say, the young, bold crab got the attention he was seeking at that pivotal time in his aspiring career.
While the jabs in question were brought up during an interview with Angie Martinez in 2002 and later referenced on 2009's "A Star is Born," the teachable moment for those interacting with Sagittarius when it comes to their pride and their reputation (especially in the context of one's craft or bank account) is twofold.
First, Sags are stubbornly competitive, know how to turn pain into fuel and are ruthless when it comes to protecting their ego no matter the cost. Second, they'll always find a way to use a situation to their advantage, whether it's by laughing about it once the dust settles or filing it away in intellectual storage for a later occasion. Just because I really want to, I'll even mention that JAY-Z's "I am a hustler baby, I'll sell water to a well" line applies here, as well. His gangster mentality is smooth, strategic and a step ahead, something we'll explore a little bit deeper in a cool minute.
The "fuck you, pay me" ethos is an integral part of Sagittarius (and hip hop alike, if we're keeping it a buck). As a mutable fire sign, Sags are adaptive, wise, adventurous, expressive and willing to put up a fight when it comes to protecting their name, their worth or even if they are frankly just a little bored. Look no further than the quintessential queen Sag, Nicki Minaj.
She is fierce, her lyrics are always razor-sharp and if she chooses to entertain some bullshit (because she eventually usually always will), she's dedicated to seeing it through to the very end. In the Sagittarian mind, however, it's the end when she says it's the end. Her seemingly now-fizzled beef with Libra Cardi B is a perfect example of that.
After weeks of plotting and soon executing her next move—which arrived in the form of a clothing line, a radio show dedicated to talking about her opponent and even a proposal for Bardi to take a lie detector test, to name a few—Minaj did a proverbial yawn and extended a generous peace offering. While it's impossible to know how long the niceties will last between those two, especially considering we're talking about a fire sign and an air sign here, Minaj remains in control. On the surface, she's extremely unbothered. She spoke her truth on her terms and ultimately, part of that is in getting immediately back to securing the bag. After all, her exuberance and penchant for being extra is part of what landed this fearless and filterless woman the throne in the first place, a seat she is not only quite comfortable sitting in but knows with every fiber of her being she's earned.
Fellow Sag and overall badass Trina exudes a similar uncompromising confidence as Minaj, especially when it comes to embodying strength as a woman in a historically male-dominated field. Both are daring and proud to be provocative. They won't listen to anyone saying otherwise, either. Sags are known for craving power, and we're talking about power in everything from the bedroom to the boardroom.
Those born under the Sagittarius sun (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) are dynamic, constantly navigating between their intellect and their instinct. Sagittarius are all about being inventive, authoritative and concerned about maintaining their freedom, whether creatively, professionally or in relationships. Sagittarius definitely are the type to seize the day and in that spirit, let's take a look at some lyrical takeaways to keep in mind, and when the mood strikes, on repeat.
Song: "The Story of O.J.," JAY-Z
Lyrical Mantra: "Financial freedom my only hope / Fuck livin' rich and dyin' broke / I bought some artwork for one million / Two years later, that shit worth two million / Few years later, that shit worth eight million / I can't wait to give this shit to my children / Y'all think it's bougie, I'm like, it's fine / But I'm tryin' to give you a million dollars worth of game for $9.99."
Sagittarius'ism: While there is a lot to unpack in JAY-Z's 2017 track "The Story of O.J.," the GRAMMY-nominated song commands the attention of the entire room. During the definitive track, Hov reminds fans that even after all these years in the rap game, he's still got plenty of important shit to say. The song touches on stereotypes found among the Black community, tackling hard-hitting topics of racism, classism and teaching financial stability. It arrived right on time in true Sagittarius fashion, appearing on his 13th studio album 4:44. As the in-depth cultural analysis of the impactful song continues to this day, JAY-Z gives us yet another example showcasing just how powerful hip-hop can be, especially when it's his turn on the mic. Legend.
Song: "Ganja Burn," Nicki Minaj
Lyrical Mantra: "They done went to witch doctors to bury the Barbie / But I double back, kill bitches, bury the body / And that go for anybody, you'll be thoroughly sorry / I could wage war or I come in peace like Gandhi."
Sagittarius'ism: This song in particular speaks to the duality found within Sagittarius. Not necessarily in the same way as a Gemini (The Twins), but moreso speaks to a Sag's intuitive ability to pick and choose their battles. Minaj loves a good intellectual match and will always ensure she holds her own, even if her ego won't allow her to ever see anyone as a deserving opponent-turned-equal in the end. Her resilience is legendary and therefore remains to be celebrated.
Song: "X Gon' Give It to Ya," DMX
Lyrical Mantra: "X gon' give it to ya / Fuck waiting for you to get it on your own, X gon' deliver to ya / Knock knock, open up the door, it's real / With the non-stop, pop pop of stainless steel / Go hard, getting busy wit it / But I got such a good heart / That I'll make a motherfucker wonder if he did it."
Sagittarius'ism: Sagittarius can be beyond aggressive. Even DMX's aesthetic attachment to pit bulls is a testament to that hard-edged identifier and "take no shit" attitude. Sagittarius don't like to avoid conflict, as beating around the bush wastes precious time. If a Sag, such as DMX, has an issue with you, you're going to know about it STAT. Any questions?
Song: "Da Baddest Bitch," Trina
Lyrical Mantra: "I'm representin' for the bitches / All eyes on your riches / No time for the little dicks / You see the bigger the dick / The bigger the bank, the bigger the Benz / The better the chance to get close to his rich friends / I'm going after the big man."
Sagittarius'ism: This classic honestly could be a Sagittarius' anthem, with both middle fingers up. Speaking to the long game, this sex-positive track was ahead of its time, helping pave the way for women to be just as raunchy in their raps as the men. From giving advice to her fellow ladies on how to get whatever they want, however they want and when, to dropping jaws with the line, "I make him eat it while my period on," Trina's "Da Baddest Bitch" is *don't say it, don't say it, don't say it, don't say it meme* the baddest.
Song: "Lucid Dreams," Juice WRLD
Lyrical Mantra: "I still see your shadows in my room / Can't take back the love that I gave you / It's to the point where I love and I hate you / And I cannot change you, so I must replace you, oh / Easier said than done, I thought you were the one / Listenin' to my heart instead of my head / You found another one, but I am the better one / I won't let you forget me."
Sagittarius'ism: When it comes to relationships, Sagittarius love hard and consequently fall hard. On Juice WRLD's 2018 breakout single, he exposes his wounded heart just long enough for listeners to sympathize with the young love lost. However, in true Sag form, he soon flips the script, reminding his past partner on the chorus that he's the best they'll never have again. Sounds about right.