I started to think, have I ever witnessed so much madness surrounding a rapper being released from prison; and my answer was no. The buzz that has been associated with the incarceration of Meek Mill has been unprecedented. T.I has been lock up. Pimp C was in jail. Boosie was incarcerated. Snoop was on trial for murder. Rick Ross briefly got detained and put on house arrest. C-Murder and Mystikal are currently doing time. None of those people have got the same time of publicity that Meek Mill has received.
There was a march and protest rally for his release in Philadelphia that included athletes and celebrities. Shit, Dr. J came out to that march. There have been shout-outs from the most biggest celebrities for his freedom. Beyonce and Jay-Z both mentioned it in a song. And even though he dissed him in two songs; Drake has show love and said “free Meek Mill.” Let’s not go to his visiting list, he has a endless amount of celebs and athletes come and visit him in jail. Meek Milly has had billionaire sports team owners Michael Rubin and Robert Kraft visit him.
I was around when 2Pac got locked up for rape and was freed by Suge Knight. That was a big moment in Hip Hop and Pop culture when he got out. There was a tremendous amount of buzz when it was known that he was going to Death Row records with Snoop, Dr, Dre and Suge Knight. It was major, but nothing like this. I have saw nothing that has surpassed the spectacle surrounding Meek Mill.
There was televised coverage of Meek leaving prison, hoping on a helicopter and arriving at a 76ers playoff game. NBA on TNT commented on his released during that game. He rung the Philly bell before the start of the game. He was mobbed by NBA fans and greeted by the players. He was accompanied by Kevin Hart and executives from the 76ers franchise. It was an amazing scene.
Truthfully Meek Mill was big before he went to prison. He is well respected in the Hip Hop community and adored by millions of fans. However, his five month stint in jail has put him on whole another plateau. He has possibly become the most popular rapper in Hip Hop.
With all the support and petitions for his release, he has to be careful. All eyes are literally on him. If he so much as jay walk and get in trouble; he will letting a lot of people down. With that said, I wish him the best. I hope he uses his new platform wisely and get back to making more music. It just should be noted that Meek Mill has successfully turned five months in prison to a lifetime of fame.