Following imprisonment, beloved Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill returns with an enjoyable, well-rounded EP, ‘Legends of Summer.’

Since being freed from prison after an unjustified sentence, Meek Mill has been busy, expectedly.  Part of his busyness has been releasing new music.  While a full-length album from the beloved Philly rapper has yet to arrive, fans got a socially-conscious single, “Stay Woke” which appears on the four-song EP, Legends of Summer.  13 minutes may not be a lot of Meek, but it’s enough to whet the palate.  The script for Legends of Summer (EP) is effective. Mill gives us two bangers, one love/sex joint, and the aforementioned socially-conscious, more transcendent number.

“Millidelphia”

“They was screaming ‘Free Meek!’ / Now Meek free, judge tryna hold me.” “Millidelphia,” featuring Swizz Beatz, finds Meek Mill reveling in ‘owning’ Philadelphia and coming up – he’s rich now.  Undeniably, he’s a big fixture there, and he effectively flexes about his status.

“Who love the streets? Meek, Meek / Who dropping heat? Meek Meek / Who locked the city up, pull up in that Bentley / Rest of them motherf*ckers see? Meek.”

“Dangerous” finds Meek Mill collaborating with Jeremih and fellow Philly rapper/singer, PnB Rock.  Jeremih and PnB Rock work equally well in their own extended solo parts, as well as trading lines and singing simultaneously.  As aforementioned, this is the love/sex joint of the album, which is totally different from the other three records.  The sound is chiller and lighter. According to the sexually-charged Mill, “‘Cause now you rocking with a real one / And when I’m in it, you be maxin’ on a million.”

“1am” 

“She gon’ bust it down like the Patek, ah / All this water on me got you wet, huh / F*ck her and her friend, that’s a AND1, one / Dirty n***a, all these hundreds made me handsome.” “1am” is the second banger of Legends of Summer.  It sounds comparable to previous hits like “Glow Up” and “Check” in regards to how turned up Meek Mill is.  There’s nothing new that we haven’t heard from the rapper in other words, but it’s effective by all means.

Meek Mill saves the best for last with “Stay Woke”, featuring Grammy-winning R&B singer, Miguel. In regards to his flow, he remains intriguing, showcasing incredible agility.  Adding to the flow are those honest, personal, and socially-conscious rhymes.  “Stay Woke” is reminiscent of his excellent, meaningful “Young Black America” from Wins & Losses (2017). He focuses on black issues (racism and police brutality), his own legal issues as well as the new generation of rappers, and ‘coming up’. As for Miguel, he remains soulful on the chorus, but Meek is the main attraction.  All in all, “Stay Woke” is truly respectable and well-rounded.

Final Thoughts 

Meek Mill comes through on Legends of Summer (EP).  He doesn’t ‘flip the game on its side’ or anything like that, but he provides a preview of what’s to come on his future, full-length project.  Could he use formulaic shake up? Arguably, but there’s nothing broke right now, so there’s nothing to fix at this time.  All in all, Legends of Summer is an enjoyable, 13-minute listen.

Meek Mill • Legends of Summer (EP) • Atlantic • Release: 7.6.18

Photo Credit: Atlantic