Fans of Meek Mill were eager to hear an update on the rap star. Many were glad to hear that Meek Mill finally had been released from jail, and has released his first recording in nearly a decade, Championships. It was worth the wait.

Meek had been on probation for nearly 10 years after being convicted on gun and drug charges. The movement #FreeMeek gained traction after he was recently incarcerated, and he was released on bail in April of 2018. The Philadelphia D.A. fought Judge Brinkley over his release, but the judge questioned the credibility of the arresting officer in the initial 2008 conviction. As a result of his complex experience in the criminal justice system Meek Mill is now an outspoken advocate for prison reform alongside his rap career.

Born Robert Rihmeek Williams, Meek grew up in Philadelphia where he started his passion for rap through battle rap. He uses the name “Meek Mill” as his celebrity alias. He also later formed a rap group called the Bloodhoundz. In 2008, rapper T.I. signed Meek to his first record deal. Meek would later switch to Maybach Music Group where the hit Amen was released and debuted number 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Meek’s new album Championships has already been a smashing success, climbing the charts to number 1 on both the billboard 200 and Canadian albums chart. The single has already earned gold level album sales.

Initially, I wasn’t sure that I would enjoy this recording, but after experiencing it to the full extent, I feel that this album is undoubtedly underrated. I enjoyed every second of the album. It was especially exciting to hear other artists I was familiar with singing alongside Mill. Not long after my first listen, I found myself adding back-to-back songs from Championships to my personal playlists on Spotify. And I’m not alone in this opinion.

“I haven’t always listened to Meek Mill, but I really like his new music. My favorite song of his is Going Bad with Drake,” senior Sidney Skop said.

Going Bad proves to be the biggest hit of the album, as it just recently peaked with a number 6 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album has many different sounds with multiple slower paced tracks such as Championships, Cold Hearted II, and 100 Summers. Some artists featured on the album include Cardi B, Rick Ross & Jay Z, Future, Young Thug, Kodak Black, Ella Mai, 21 Savage, Jeremih and PnB Rock, to name a few.

The first song on the album is called Intro. Meek created this song as a sample of the 1981 Phil Collins classic In The Air Tonight. The song highlights his hardships and journey to improve and further develop his rap career. Meek is slowly climbing his way back to the forefront of the music scene. Set back by his run-in with the law, Mill is now the sixth act to have at least 16 songs on the Billboard charts.

I was utterly surprised by the musical genius that is Meek Mill. His album, Championships, is an inspiration to any artist that faced a setback. It proves that, regardless of the adversity one faces, anyone can climb back to the top. Due to his hiatus, most people don’t know the extent of his musical capabilities, but after listening to his newest offering I can affirm that this album is worth the listen.