Meek Mill Exposes The Rap Game: We Get Paid More To Rap About Violence

During a recent NAACP event, Meek Mill shed light on the dynamics within the music industry. The Philadelphia native openly discussed how record labels tend to reward rappers for promoting ignorance in their lyrics. Sharing his personal experience, Meek claimed he got paid more when he rapped about guns and violence.

“I was on rap stages rapping about violence and guns, we get paid to rap about stuff like that,” Meek said. “They actually pay us more when we rap about about more ignorant stuff so I make sure I even the line and come up to talk on stages like this.”

Meek said as he became older, he recognized what was happening and the importance of using his platform responsibly. 

“The things that fund us, that don’t power me forward, because I know better. I’m 36, they power really went from when we was 21 to 25 when we really don’t know,” he continued, stating “I’m one the lucky ones who made it through and I was able to get my knowledge and my sense. And I’m the one that keep the line on the rap ignorance and be able to level out conversations like these and deliver it to the young people.”

Watch the clip below.

Meek Mill has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform since his release from prison in 2018. In addition to launching the REFORM Alliance, a criminal justice reform organization working to change laws and policies that disproportionately affect people of color. The 36-year-old has also been actively involved in several positive initiatives and philanthropic endeavors.

Back in 2020, Meek faced public criticism for telling rappers in his hometown of Philly to quit beefing. 

“I’ll get all the main big artist in philly a deal if they put them bodies behind them and squash them beefs …I hear about ….got some hot young bulls from my city but they all beefing,” Meek tweeted on at the time. “And that’s just a idea but I’ll push thru with my city if y’all make it thing! It’s like 5 clicks that’s talented but they deep in! And get they most attention when they beefing!” 

Meanwhile, NBA YoungBoy also claimed labels promote violence in hip hop.