Meek Mill makes an energetic, inspired fourth studio album with Championships, his first full-length release since being released from prison.

After whetting fans’ palates with his four-track EP, Legends of Summer, Meek Mill released his highly-anticipated fourth studio album, Championships.  Yep, the Philly rapper hung up the banners on Friday, November 30 – rather, that’s when he released the album.  Notably, Championships marks the rapper’s first full-length album since spending a stint in prison.  All in all, the results are favorable for Meek.

“Trauma”

Meek Mill kicks off Championships ferociously with the “Intro,” which just happens to be a full-length track.  Interestingly, a Phil Collins helps to fuel the fire on the ‘intro’ of “Intro,” before Meek goes ‘H.A.M.’ backed by hard-nosed, minor-key production work. Follow-up ✓ “Trauma” is also fueled by sample, Barclay James Harvest (“Taking Me Higher”).  Like the intro, Mill nails the beat, dropping straight fire on the verses, and dropping a memorable hook in the process.

✓ “Uptown Vibes” brings in the first collaborators of Championships – Fabolous and Anuel AA.  Given the appearance of Anuel AA, it’s no surprise that “Uptown Vibes” embraces a Latin-infused flavor.  As always, Meek Mill drops agile rhymes on the first verse, while Loso takes a more relaxed approach that still manages to pack a punch. As for the aforementioned AA, he drops a sick Spanish verse on the third verse.

“On Me” 

“I want a freak nasty ho, and I want all bad bitches / I’m in a read ‘Sace robe, fuckin’ on all bad bitches / (Booty, booty, booty, booty).” The seedy-sounding banger ✓ “On Me” pairs Meek Mill with Cardi B – a match made in heaven.  The minute you hear it prior to the entrance of Cardi, this sounds like a cut she’s tailor-made to slaughter. ✓ “Free” may run long at over six minutes in duration, but it definitely keeps the hits coming on Championships. Here, Meek secures solid guest spots from Rick Ross (“Pot and kilo go hand in hand like we Gamble and Huff”) and Jay-Z (“In the land of the free, where the blacks enslaved / Three-fifths of a man, I believe’s the phrase”).  Arguably, Jay-Z serves up the best verse on this soulful joint, but Meek has his moments, including the closing line from his verse: “Is we beefin’ or rappin’? I might just pop up with Drizzy like…”

“Respect the Game” gets a big lift from a classic, ubiquitous sample courtesy of Lonnie Liston Smith. At this point, Meek Mill continues to be on autopilot.  He opts for banger as a follow-up on “Splash Warning,” which enlists the services of Future, Roddy Ricch, and Young Thug.  It’s effective, but a shade less captivating compared to the six songs that precede it.  Thankfully, the standout, ‘real talk’ title track ✓ “Championships” restores any lost momentum, once more benefitting from a thrilling sample (interpolation).  “Championships” is incredibly soulful, characteristic of Philadelphia, and finds Meek at his best. 

“Go to court with a court-appointed and he won’t say he object

Now it’s you against the state and you ain’t got no cake

Jail overpopulated they ain’t got no space.”

“Going Bad”

✓ “Going Bad” has a tough act to follow – “Championships” is as epic as they come.  That said, the record holds its own, and more amazingly, pairs Meek Mill once more with Drake – say what?  Like previous collaborations “Amen” and “R.I.C.O.”, the results are on-point.  The hook by Drizzy – utterly superb.  Unfortunately, Mill slips a might on the sexed-up “Almost Slipped” – “Girl, that pussy had me like a zombie… / Magic from the start, you was fuckin’ me right / Treat me like a king baby, talk to me nice.” It’s slickly produced but doesn’t rank among the elite numbers from Championships.

“Tic Tac Toe” doesn’t quite match the best either, but gives Meek Mill another respectable banger.  Acquired taste Kodak Black delivers the hook and a verse, in all his distinct vocal glory.  Things become smoother on “24/7” featuring British, “Boo’d Up” standout, Ella Mai.  As to be expected, Mai drops terrific vocals on the chorus as well as the bridge.  Mill remains charged-up, but his approach is cooler – calmer and more collected compared to other performances.

“Oodles O’ Noodles Babies”

Meek Mill starts ✓ “Oodles O’ Noodles” off with an honest, personal, spoken word intro. This intro foreshadows the ‘real talk’ that Meek Mill offers throughout the course of the record.  His flow is agile on both verses, particularly the fiery first verse where he focuses on the lack of belief and lack of hope bestowed upon him, as well as his lot in life. Between the two verses, there’s an interlude as opposed to a chorus. The interlude is written similarly to the introduction.  Beyond the interlude, Meek ends the record with an outro, once more patterned after the intro and interlude sections.  Besides the personal nature of the lyrics, the soulful production work is worth mentioning, helping to fuel his honesty and openness. It’s rewarding to hear him drop bars about his life and emotions.

“Pay You Back” doesn’t quite match the greatness that is “Oodles O’ Noodles Babies,” but it’s hard to go wrong with a banger that features 21 Savage, right?  Both rappers are fired-up… in their own way of course.  Solo cut “100 Summers” continues the ‘real talk’ that dominates Championships, even if the results are less promising than the likes of “Trauma,” “Championships,” or “Oodles O’ Noodles Babies.” Melii guests on the colorfully-titled banger, “Wit the Shits (W.T.S.),” dropping some bilingual bars on the second verse. Nothing transcendent, but pleasant.

“Stuck in My Ways”

Approaching home stretch, “Stuck in My Ways” finds Meek Mill flaunting his status as a “living legend.” It’s a full-on flex joint, as only Meek can deliver.  Penultimate record ✓ “Dangerous” is reprised from Legends of Summer (EP), finding Meek collaborating with Jeremih and PnB Rock.  Both artists work equally well in their own solo parts, as well as trading lines and singing simultaneously.  This is a love/sex joint, featuring a generally chiller and lighter sound than the majority of Championships. “Cold Hearted II” caps off the 70-minute album, once more focused on personal life experiences. 

Final Thoughts

All in all, Meek Mill drops a strong, inspired album with Championships.  The hits are there without a doubt, and there are no huge miscues.  That said, 70 minutes is absolutely too long, and Championships could’ve been equally, if not more effective had it been trimmed a might.  Still, great to hear the Philly standout in top-notch form throughout Championships.

✓ Gems: “Trauma,” “Uptown Vibes,” “On Me,” “Free,” “Championships,” “Going Bad,” “Oodles O’ Noodles Babies” & “Dangerous”  

Meek Mill » Championships » Atlantic » Release: 11.30.18

Photo Credit: Atlantic