Meek Mill’s Real Life ‘Dreams and Nightmares’
On one hand, Meek Mill was happy to be living his dreams (making the jump from mixtape circuit to the major league); on the other, he was trying to escape a nightmare (Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy’s devastating effects on his neighborhood).
The storm’s horrific aftermath threw a wrench into Meek Mill’s promo plans for Dreams & Nightmares, but the Philly rapper says he’s more concerned about the safety of loved ones than album sales.
“This is my first release, and I’m supposed to be so happy for it,” says Mill. “But, the same day my album came out, I was more worried about how my family was holding out and a tree falling on my house.”
Sandy dumped massive floods on the East Coast, disrupting large portions of the tri-state area. It shut down businesses, claimed 38 lives (so far), and wreaked billions of dollars worth of damage. And, of course, buying a rap CD was the furthest thing from everyone’s mind.
“My focus wasn’t on stores being closed,” Meek says. “I had a packed house, filled with my family, making sure they were good during this storm.” The 25-year old rapper’s story of perseverance is well documented in his Dreams & Nightmares documentary. “I made a great album and it will sustain itself. Real people do real shit; my fans will buy the album when they are able to.”
The tragedy, notwithstanding, there’s one tiny bright spot for Meek Mill. Dreams & Nightmares is on track for a Top 10 debut with a projected sales of 170K – 200K units, according to Hits Daily Double. Mill’s Warner Bros. debut is powered by the Drake-assisted single “Amen.” The album sports guest vocals from Rick Ross, Wale, Nas, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, and more.
(Photo © Clay Patrick McBride)
— Rizoh
