Who’s a top-selling rap artist, the nephew of a successful DJ, and a prison reform activist? That would be Meek Mill, who’s usually known a just a rapper, but as you can see – he’s much more. If all you know about Meek is that he puts out fire tracks, you’re missing the bigger picture. He’s a humanist, philanthropist, and battle-hardened battle rapper. Need to know more about this Philly-born enigma you rap along to in the car? We’ve got you.

Early Life in Philly

Like many rappers, Meek didn’t have an easy time growing up. His mother raised him and his sister alone, on the Northside of Philly – back when that neighborhood was a lot harder than it is now. Back then, he still went by the name of Rober Rihmeek Williams, though he was always interested in rap. Inspired by his kin and DJ Jazzy Jeff, who was a local star at the time, he became a battle rapper. He’d spit rhymes in the streets for years before his mixtapes got any form of worthwhile attention.

Maybach Music

After years of working on his own and with his friends as the Bloodhoundz, he got a break. It was as one of four rappers on the Maybach compilation album “Self Made, Vol. 1”. The album got national attention, as did Meek, who some argue had a starring role.

Dreams and Nightmares

Meek’s first studio solo album came out in 2012, just a year after his work on the compilation volume. He called it Dreams and Nightmares, and it did okay. It was his sophomore album that propelled him to the top, though, when he released Dreams Worth More Than Money in 2015. That album spent weeks on the Billboard top 200 and established Meek Mill as a force in rap music. Since then, he’s put out two more albums and done countless features for other artists.