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If rap history tells us anything, it’s that an artist needs to bring more than pure rhyme skills to the table to build and sustain a viable career, however, having the lyrical chops to go bar-for-bar with the best of them is paramount to reaching rap supremacy. One artist that has managed to straddle the line between hit-making and servicing the streets is Meek Mill. The rapper evolved from being an underground king to one of the biggest stars in mainstream rap.
Despite having chart-topping albums and platinum plaques on his resume, Meek Mill continues to put his reputation as an emcee on the line for the sport of it, using every radio station stop or promo run to add to his long list of classic freestyles. In light of his competitive spirit and willingness to rise to the occasion, REVOLT highlights nine Meek Mill freestyles that will blow your mind and serve as a reminder of the rapper’s greatness.
1. The Come Up Show Freestyle
In 2011, Meek Mill dropped by Power 99 to visit DJ Cosmik Kev at The Come Up Show to rip Jermaine Dupri’s “Hate In Ya Blood” instrumental to shreds before going acapella for good measure.
2. Funk Flex Freestyle
During the thick of his spat with a certain Canadian superstar, the pride of North Philadelphia made the trek to N.Y.C. to get some thoughts off of his chest for Funk Flex’s freestyle series. Going in over Mobb Deep’s “Quiet Storm” and JAY-Z’s “Where I’m From” instrumentals, Meek is as defiant as ever as he burns down the booth with a flurry of bars.
3. Meek Mill Freestyle (2005)
In 2005, Meek Mill ran roughshod with this lyrical showing, which finds the Philly native reporting live from the streets. Featuring a few blatant jabs at rival rappers in his hometown, the future superstar and hit-maker displays the unbridled fury and fervor of a rhyme animal possessed.
4. Bat Cave Radio Freestyle
After his release from prison and gun and drug charges in 2008, Meek Mill hit up Bat Cave Radio for an impassioned freestyle chronicling the trials and tribulations endured during his time behind bars. Reeling off screw-face worthy couplets over a looped up beat, Meek’s hunger is palpable with every line spat.
5. Hip Hop Nation Freestyle
Meek Mill and the Maybach Music Group (MMG camp) invade Sirius XM’s Hip Hop Nation show during the crew’s promotional run for Self Made 3, with Meek taking center stage with a barrage of verses. Complete with ad libs from Rick Ross, the Dreamchasers rhymes with the relentlessness of a pit bull off the leash while putting a medley of classic instrumentals in a body-bag.
6. Clue Radio Freestyle
Clue Radio gets invaded by Meek Mill and company, with the dream chaser’s blessing, DJ Clue with an impromptu freestyle alongside fellow Philly spitter and DC rep Mel Love. While Meek splits air-time with Love, he rises to the occasion with a blistering flurry of rhymes over one his own instrumentals, turning in one of his more memorable performances in recent memory.
7. Head Shot Freestyle
A fresh-faced Meek Mill impresses with this freestyle from 2004, as the braided spitter displays his raw talent while flanked by his Bloodhoundz brethren. Recorded years prior to his ascension to the mainstream, this performance foreshadows his eventual rise to fame and coronation as the face of Philadelphia.
8. DJ Difference Freestyle
Meek Mill dismantles Drake’s “Forever” instrumental while serving up a dose of reality rap amid a bevy of punchlines and lyrical haymakers. After doing his work over the Boi-1da produced track, things get grislier when Mr. Philadelphia attacks JAY-Z’s “Where I’m From” and other beats, as Oschino and Omelly provide moral support during this epic rhyme spill.
9. The Come Up Show Freestyle
Rick Ross accompanies Meek Mill to Cosmik Kev’s The Come Up Show on Power 99, with the hometown hero going bonkers over Future’s “Tony Montana” and JAY-Z and Kanye West’s “Otis.” Ending his appearance with an acapella performance, Meek reminds listeners why Rozay chose to make him the flagship signee of his MMG label.
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