Still Chasing.

Like they always do at this time: Meek Mill and fellow Philadelphian DJ Drama join forces to bring you the latest edition to their classic mixtape series. From the jump you know it’s gonna be a grand affair. Y’all know Meek loves an intro and this one includes a surprise guest verse from Travi$ Scott and appearances from two of hip-hop’s most notorious shit talkers Birdman and Diddy. Fuck they little T-Ts too, Puff? Damn!

Meek proves he ain’t playing no games with the mixtape’s standout, “Make Me”. You think he yells too much? Well how’d you like a lil autotune on them vocals? Sounds good to me. Anchored by a powerful chorus, the song’s message is clear here: Fame hasn’t made Meek forget those who weren’t checking for him in the past—especially you gold diggers. “All these hoes wanna fuck with a nigga like me/But when I was locked down ain’t none of these hoes write me/That’s why I don’t chase bitches cause the money only thing excite me/I don’t fuck with new niggas/All day one niggas beside me.”

Although he keeps his circle tight, Meek is still a master collaborator. He gets the best out of his features. Nicki Minaj’s verse on “Dope Dealer” is crack. She switches the flow: “30 Mill-ion though, Forbes list/Out in Philly in a condo, boss shit/Now they call me Young Oprah; Harpo/In the pool rockln polo, Marco.” Fellow New Yorkers also appear. Jadakiss praises his son on the Luniz-inspired “Heaven Of Hell”; Loso name drops Big Sean on “Money Ain’t A Issue”; and “Right Now” is a bizarre-but-effective banger with French Montana on the hook and guest verses from Ma$e and Cory Gunz.

Sadly one contributor isn’t here to experience it all. DC3 includes Meek’s moving dedication “Lil Nigga Snupe” where he tries to make sense of the death of his 18-year-old artist. “They killed my nigga Lil Snupe/My lil nigga was the truth/And all he wanted was a coupe/All he wanted was a coupe/So what’s a nigga supposed to do?/Tell em put the guns down or tell these lil niggas shoot?/Cause they’ll do the same to me/Do the same shit to you.” Even stronger is a skit where you can hear the young Lousiana MC freestyling in the studio. Huge loss.

Still “The End (Outro)” ensures us that Meek’s gonna carry on. The self-proclaimed Last of The Street Niggas has more dreams filled with big money schemes. You can’t knock the hustle.—YN