fukkyalifestyle
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Thought this was a dope article since I am from Philly too Philly Is The Real Loser In The Meek Mill & Drake Beef - Mike Trampe
Before you cuss me out based off of the title, please hear me out. I am life-long Philly resident, sports fan & Hip-Hop fan, I also have worked in the music industry professionally for 10+ years.
As most people in Philly know, we have the some of the most passionate fans in the country. That goes for sports, music, food and culture. We are a hard-nosed, blue-collar city that takes pride in everything we do Philly related.
Let’s not forget that we have also have one of the highest murder rates and violent crime rates over the last decade. We love our city, but yet we choose to destroy it everyday. It is no different for our Hip-Hop scene, and unfortunately, it seems artists have to leave the city to see major success.
The one thing about Philly is that we are innovators and we have our own style. Birdman came to Philly to grab Gillie da Kid to write for Lil Wayne and other Cash Money artists. Philly is known for big beards, sharp shape ups and harsh lyrics. A lot of other cities mimicked our style, but it has never been replicated. Jay Z came to Philly to build his empire, handle his beefs and who knows, maybe polish his own style. You can’t front, Jay Z was definitely influenced by Young Chris at some point, but that’s a whole other topic to get into.
I co-owned a studio outside of Philly (Sharp Soundz in Glenside) for 2 years. Around 2006-2008, Frequent visitors to the studio at the time included E-Ness (Bad Boy), Chic Raw & The Top Shottas, Kre Forch and more. Back around this time, Chic Raw was very popular for his 2 Raw for the Streets DVD appearances, as well as being someone who the city respected (and feared). Chic brought Meek Mill to the studio a few times and we got to witness him in his raw form before the T.I. signing, and then obviously the Rick Rosssigning.
What a lot of people don’t know is that Chic Raw was next on the list from Philly to take off. He had Beanie Sigel and State Property interested, Styles P and D-Block interested and 50 Cent (and associates) had an interest in him. Unfortunately, Chic was shot and then ended up doing a few years in the feds before this all unfolded. Over that time-frame, a lot changed in the industry. Social Media took off, the DVD scene took a backseat for online videos and Chic came home to a totally different industry. I think it hurt him in the long-run.
Over the years in Philly, AR-AB and OBH have made a name for themselves in Philly. AR-AB was Cassidy’s right hand man for some time, and recorded with him and Swizz Beatz. AR-AB’s reputation in Philly has always been someone you don’t cross and a “real” street dude, and this was evident in the Cassidyshooting incident. He has also always been very vocal about his crime ridden lifestyle and has no problem flashing pistols on camera or talking about cases he caught.
When Meek Mill and Cassidy had a dispute back in 2014, AR-AB made a 45 minute video discussing the situation. He was quick to let the fans know that Meek was a real street dude and Cassidy was just a “rapper.”
So at this point, it seemed AR-AB was choosing sides with Meek in theCassidy feud. Meek and AR-AB had previously recorded together as well.
Chic Raw and AR-AB have a similar story. Both are Philly rappers, and both are well-respected in the music industry, as well as the streets. They have collaborated on music together, specifically a track called “Hardest nikkaz Out.”
Meek and Chic Raw have known each other for years, and honestly Chic had a bigger buzz, bigger name and a brighter future than Meek at one point.Chic had a few setbacks like I mentioned prior and when Meek finally started bubblin’, him and Chic collaborated on a Jahlil Beats track called, “Gasoline.”
So at this point you are probably asking how did Philly lose? I’ll explain.
We have a ton of super-talented artists in Philly. From Chic Raw, AR-AB, Kre Forch, Hollowman, Quilly, Louie V Gutta, Dark-LO, Reef the Lost Cauze, Vinnie Paz, 30 & Over League + More!
Some have seen decent success, while others have seen minimal. BesidesMeek, Vinnie & Reef have seen the most success, and that is more on an underground, niche fan-base level. Not saying anything is wrong with that, they are actually two of my favorite Philly emcees.
But besides Meek, who has seen commercial success over the years? HasMeek opened lanes for artists in Philly to be heard? Are their underlying issues that we don’t see? I almost feel bad for Meek, because once you get to that level of success, it’s hard to trust the people you used to rock DVD’s and local shows with. A lot of people look for handouts’, while others wish on your demise. This is common practices with anyone that has major success, but Philly just takes it to another level.
I’m not saying it’s Meeks responsibility to put these guys on, because every man (or woman) is responsible for themselves, but at times I can’t tell if Meekis distancing himself from his home city or if the home city is jealous.
Former Dream Chasers artist Louie V Gutta was once part of Meek’s team, but even he is feuding with the MMG artist now.
So let’s break down the situation again.
Chic Raw was one of the next to blow artists from Philly back in the mid 2000’s. Meek came up under Chic and the DVD era that shook Philly for years. Chic experienced some rough times (getting shot and prison), andMeek blew up the over that time-frame. AR-AB and OBH worked withCassidy for years, but had a falling out. Meek dissed Cassidy, Cassidy dissed Meek. AR-AB dissed Cassidy, stood up for Meek. Louie V Gutta and Meekhad a falling out, all while Meek continued to sky-rocket with mainstream success.
Does anyone else see the chaos going on?
So fast forward to July 21, 2015 when Meek took to Twitter to air out Drakefor using Ghostwriter’s on his songs. I’m not sure if Meek knew it or not, but this was the action that would start the downward spiral of Meek Mill the brand, and Philly overall.
Drake responded with two disses to Meek, the song “Back to Back” is what most are saying is the nail in the coffin for Meek. Not only did Drake have a few slick lines in there about him being on his girl’s tour and “trigger fingers turning to twitter fingers,” but he strategically placed a bar about listening toAR-AB. Let’s not forget, a few months ago AR-AB talked about the possibility of signing to Drake’s label OVO. Drake did his homework and knew this would start a chain reaction of negativity in Philly.
Let’s not forget the artwork Drake chose to represent his diss. A celebratingToronto Blue Jays Joe Carter hitting the game winning home-run to beat thePhiladelphia Phillies in the 1993 World Series. Ouch.
Meek responded with “Wanna Know” and the industry felt it wasn’t up to par. The memes continued and the internet voted that Meek lost this battle. WithDrake dropping 2 diss songs back to back (pun intended) and Meek coming with a weak diss, Philly felt like it was short-changed, and they were!
Even the Philadelphia Eagles chose sides, and it was with a Toronto rapper.
When asked about the situation, AR-AB and his OBH Goons had some choice words for Meek Mill and his response to Drake.
During all of this, Chic Raw came to Philly’s (and Meek’s?) defense. He was quick to release two diss songs aimed at Drake and also questioning whyMeek didn’t flame Drake when he had the chance.
For most people who don’t know who Chic is, they see this as a marketing ploy for him to blow up or get recognition. For most Philly people, we all know he has represented for Philly for years, has been cool with Meek for 10+ years and sees what Drake is trying to do with AR-AB.
Chic is from the era of snapping on DVD’s shot by cell phones or low quality cameras. It’s what he knows and what he has always been good at, unfortunately the newer generation is spoiled and don’t understand the grit and hunger of those days.
It didn’t take long, but Meek responded to AR-AB and OBH for siding withDrake. He said “fukk AR-AB,” and questions how a Philly guy could dikk-ride an out-of-town guy.
If you haven’t connected the dots how Philly is the biggest loser in this situation, let me elaborate. Philly is home to some of the most vicious spitters and artists with their own sound. Instead of embracing each other, we find ways to destroy each other.
Meek made the first move and Drake countered making Philly take the “L”.
So as Drake sits back in Toronto (or wherever he is) counting his money, platinum plaques and having the upper hand in this situation, Philly now has aMeek vs AR-AB beef, people thinking Chic Raw is corny, the Philadelphia Eagles siding with an out-of-towner and everyone around the world questioning what the fukk is Meek Mill doing?!?
- Meek responded with a mediocre diss, Drake mentioned AR-AB, which then drags AR-AB into the situation and pins AB against Meek.
- Drake has the biggest Philly sports team singing his song at practice.
- Drake invited Philly native Will Smith out to the OVO fest, in which they take pictures/videos together laughing at Drake/Meek memes.
- Chic Raw comes to Philly’s defense and makes him look “thirsty” in some people’s eyes. Even Chic starts questioning Meek vis his 2nd diss.
- OBH disses Meek. AR-AB dismisses Meek’s diss as corny.
- Meek says “fukk AR-AB” at concert in Philly.
Yep, Philly is definitely the biggest loser. Yep. Oh, and fukk Drake too!!
Well written article with well articulated points 
its all bullchit. only thing most of these guys lack is the ability to make commercial jingles. most of them dont have problems making actual songs.