Otherside of America

6.9.20

Meek Mill, Otherside of America Released 6.6.20

This past Friday, many rappers chose to use their platform, and their musical talents to shed some knowledge and ideas of what is going on in the world, in regards to police brutality. One of the first people I think about, when I think of police wrongfully convicting or abusing the black community, I think about Meek Mill. I have watched his documentary about growing up, and how the judge lied about all the chances she would give him, and followed him throughout his life, and charging him with whatever she could, for every move he would make. Of course, we know Meek to have gone to jail over riding a bike in the street while on probation. This lasted much longer than anyone ever has, or ever should. Now that he is finally free, he is the face of the REFORM campaign against police brutality and the wrongfully convicted. He is a powerhouse and an educated speaker on how to get out of the dangerous lifestyle of the streets, and be above anyone who tries to hurt that process. Now, he comes to us with ‘Otherside Of America,’ with lots of meaning and passion.

The song begins with a voice over message from Donald Trump, that will immediately ignite rage into anyone’s system. He tells the Black Community that they are living in poverty, they have no jobs, poor schools, high unemployment rates, and is basically stating they are useless.

Meek goes on to share his stories from growing up in poverty, life in jail, and all the wrong that the system has put him through over the years. He describes life as a black man, as like being a part of a constant war. The end of the song is a throwback CNN interview Meek Mill participated in. He shared that he grew up around violence, in ruthless neighborhoods, seeing seven deaths a week, never gaining any help from the police. When he asked news reporter, Michael Smerconish, if he would carry a gun if living under these circumstances, he replied “um, yeah. I probably would.” Then the song cuts.

Since hearing this song, Smerconish has reported on the matter and the usage of this skit. He goes back to say, he did carry a gun when living in Serbia, and that there was no reason for him to say he would not have done the same living in Meek Mill’s neighborhood in Philadelphia. Truthfully, he seems quite pleased to have his stance on the situation represented in Meek Mill’s song.

The song is super emotional and powerful, and will go down as another hit in Meek Mill’s catalog. From the rhyme schemes, to the story telling and the delivery, it is all great to listen to. What is most interesting about this song, however, is what we do not hear.

A few hours after the release of the track, Meek Mill shared an Instagram story that Nipsey Hussle was supposed to be on this track. Not only had he said he would record a verse, but he also came up with the title of the song. Meek’s post shared their text conversation, missing Nipsey and letting the world know, this song goes out to him. Not only is it crazy to think about how even more dope this song would have been, or what almost was, but the fact that these two guys felt so deeply about this over a year and a half ago, and it is still an issue that needs to be addressed today.

It has been going on much longer, of course. But just thinking about Nipsey being gone for over a year now, and how hip-hop continues to be wronged by the people who are supposed to support and protect, it is crazy to think about. I wish I could hear Nipsey’s verse, even just one time. Though, it is super cool to know Meek still went with his idea for the title of the track. Overall, this song is on my repeat playlist. Serious mood or not, Meek brings the heat.