Meek Mill, Believe | Track Review 🎵

Grammy-nominated rapper Meek Mill continues his hot start to 2020 with his second single, “Believe,” featuring Justin Timberlake.

Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill started 2020 on fire.  Despite the fact that he wasn’t victorious at the 62^nd Annual Grammy Awards, he did manage his first Grammy nomination, for Best Rap Album (Championships, 2018).  Anyways, continuing his ‘victory lap,’ after releasing the single “Letter to Nipsey” (featuring Roddy Ricch), he returns with “Believe” featuring a less likely collaborator, Justin Timberlake.  The results are positive overall.

The positive results start with the production.  Here, Justin Timberlake co-produces alongside Rob Knox.  Despite the fact that “Believe” is set in a minor key (B-flat minor, precisely), there’s still a sense of optimism, conveyed by the keyboards and synths.  Adding to the grandeur are the strings, arranged and conducted by Larry Gold.  Going back to that sense of optimism, Timberlake confirms the uplifting vibes of “Believe” on the soulful centerpiece, the chorus:

“You know I still believe, still believe in you and me
‘Cause every night I go to sleep, go to sleep
I can see it like a movie in my dreams
Put my face in the dirt on the ground
Still, I raise up to take back the crown, yes
You can break my body
But you can’t lock the soul of a man down.”

Meek Mill is naturally on fire on both of the verses – AUTOPILOT.  On the first verse, early on, he urges the audience to “Follow your dreams, not your addictions.” He speaks about adversity and his come-up and being relentless.  On the second verse, he thoughtfully spits:

“Play your part, got some brains like the scarecrow
Let’s play it smart, ‘cause we ain’t playin’ checkers, this is chess, play your pawns
Sit back like a king, when they move, make your mark
And never ever let your competition take your heart.”

Final Thoughts

To reiterate, Meek Mill is off to a hot start in 2020.  “Believe” is definitely a record that anyone who hears it can totally believe in.  The production is superb, the vocals by Justin Timberlake are strong, and Meek is on autopilot.  The messaging is on-point.

Meek Mill • “Believe” (Ft. Justin Timberlake) – Single • Atlantic • Release: 2.7.20

Photo Credit: Atlantic