No Sympathy For Rappers Who Can’t Adapt To Success: Meek Mill Incarcerated, Again
Coming from the unforgiving streets of Philadelphia, rapper Meek Mill (born Robert Williams) has pretty much lived the classic rags-to-riches hip-hop success story.
As a feature member of Maybach Music Group, led by Rick Ross, Meek positioned himself to help his community.
Unfortunately, his plans hit a roadblock, as recent actions landed him in jail due to parole violations. Call me cold-hearted, but I don’t feel sorry for him.
The news of another hip-hop entertainer behind bars is nothing new or surprising to those who grew up following the culture. In a nation that has always shown a love for the bad-boy archetype, no one personifies the character more than your mainstream rappers. Meek is, apparently, no exception.
His violations in this instance range from disparaging comments on social media toward his parole officer to missing appointments with said officer to posting images with firearms online.
Regardless of your stance on the justice system, if you’re already in hot water for previous offenses, doing things like this comes across as stupid and highly counterproductive.
When has posting images of guns on Instagram yielded positive results for anyone? Especially considering Meek’s present day parole stems from a 2008 gun charge.
Mill was arrested, convicted for drug dealing and gun possession and was sentenced to one to two years in prison. Mill was released in early 2009 under a five-year parole agreement. Well, it seems like the guy didn’t learn his lesson.
There is no shortage of street-themed tough-talk and money-making braggadocio in Mill’s music, so to see him in his present state truly perplexes me. All that money is coming in, yet no one on the team makes it a paramount priority to avoid things like this from happening?
What level of maturity or basic common sense must be present to know not to pose online with a gun? Is the ego boost associated with the spike in attention and living out this gangster persona worth it?
There is a far too close a connection between hip-hop and criminal activities. I’m not referring to the lives these artists lived before getting into the business, but rather, the lives many elect to portray once conditions improve for them.
Of course, considering that Rick Ross is at the helm of MMG isn't surprising given these factors. Ross is infamous for an over-the-top portrayal of a criminal drug lord background that he actually stole from the recently incarcerated drug lord, Freeway Ricky Ross.
Anyway, Ross (the rapper) did release a statement regarding his artist Meek Mill:
I created MMG years ago, my desire was to create a space where the most talented artists in the world could be nurtured and supported. With that came a commitment. I vowed to support these artist, through the good and the bad. Every individual signed to MMG is not just an artist, they are my family. And with family you ride, or you die. Yesterday, my brother, Meek Mill ran into some unfortunate legal issues. It happens. However, his team, our team, will continue to execute Meek’s plan as close to schedule as possible. His album is coming. We ask that the fans and the media continue to support him and his music during this time. He’ll be home soon. ‘Dreams Are Worth More Than Money,’ and family is worth more than Everything. MMG FOR LIFE.
The "Scarface"-influenced antics and imagery are deeply entrenched in the MMG presentation. So, is this a bad case of life imitating art? Or, is this an acceptable cost of doing business?
The dollar rules and profit is the bottom line here, so if a short jail stay builds a buzz that leads to a new album, don’t put it past folks to run with that angle.
That is the exact reason why I offer no feelings of regret for Meek. When adults don’t take advantage of blessings and improved situations around them, they don’t get sympathy.
Learn your lesson and do better.
Photo Credit: Wenn
