Meek Mill is transferring to reassert management over his profession, saying that he’s in search of $5 million to fund a brand new spherical of tasks that embody a ebook, an album, and a brief movie. The Philadelphia rapper has used social media in latest weeks to voice his frustration with the business, arguing that artists who step outdoors the standard label system face steep and sometimes unfair hurdles.

“I need $5M in funding for a book, album, and short film,” Meek wrote in a put up on X. In the identical message, he took purpose on the construction of document offers, saying, “These label deals are not looking fair at all… they have essentially tarnished the game, but I’m poised to revitalize it! Why can’t I receive the same level of investment as tech initiatives in rap culture?”

He went additional, pointing to banks and monetary establishments as gatekeepers that needs to be challenged by artists. Sharing a clip from radio host DeDe In The Morning, Meek mirrored on the deep imprint of Black tradition throughout American life. “Why, as independent music artists, are we not engaging with banks when everything in the music industry ultimately circles back to financial institutions? We possess total control—let’s take action! Is it truly so difficult to secure funding outside of a record label in America? It’s perplexing, to say the least.”

Meek Mill turns scrutiny right into a blueprint for independence

The rapper’s transition to independence has been beneath sharper scrutiny since his cut up from Roc Nation earlier this yr. That scrutiny grew louder after Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, in a lawsuit in opposition to Diddy, made allegations relating Meek’s non-public life. Meek rejected the claims outright in a prolonged assertion on-line. “I have a 14-year-old son. I refuse to let unfounded rumors tarnish my name or manhood… My son has had to confront such negativity at school! This is part of a silent war against black men, and we must unite!”

Meek offered that resolve as its personal type of energy. “I am a real-life KING. They’ve realized I can uplift entire communities just by showing up… I can mitigate street conflicts without threats… I can mobilize billions to challenge the system… turning $0 into $100 million. This is why I played it low-key; someone caught on!”

His name for monetary autonomy underscores a bigger shift in hip-hop. Increasingly, artists are questioning the worth of standard label offers, as a substitute pushing for the type of funding and independence that Meek Mill is demanding as he turns the web page on the following stage of his profession.