As the nation continues its ongoing battle with racism in America, Meek Mill looks to speak on behalf of the masses amidst the chaos with his scaldering new track “Other Side of America.”
Kicking off with a sample of one of Donald Trump’s many racist comments during his 2016 campaign, the track captures the rapper at his most passionate state. “What do you have to lose? You’re living in poverty,” Trump’s words open the track. “Your schools are no good, you have no jobs. 58 Percent of your youth is unemployed. What the hell do you have to lose?”
Meek then continues to give a blistering breakdown of his come-up in Philly. “N—a, we homeless/ Momma at work, daddy, he dead, n—a we lonely/ Stomach growling like an AMG going to bed, we hungry/ Uzi on me, all my friends is dead, n—a we lonely,” he raps. Throughout the entirety of the song he tackles systemic racism and the harsh reality of an inner city upbringing, highlighting the painful truths of being Black in America. “Reporting live from the other side / Same corner where my brothers died,” he spits on the song. “Still fighting open cases / Out on bail, n***a but it’s my year.”
While a portion of the country seems to share President Trump’s sentiments in regards to the African-American community, Meek Mill hits the nail right on the head. It is impossible to lead a life free of violence, and poverty when the system is built to keep you that way. Many can relate to being at home as their parents worked 2-3 jobs to make ends meet, or living in communities ridden by crime due to other external factors. So, for those speaking on the Black experience from the other side, Meek Mill offers some insight from his very own expereince.
At the end of the track, Meek samples a 2018 interview he had with CNN’s Michael Smerconish to close out his blazing record. “I always dreamed to be on CNN to be able to express myself and speak for the voiceless young men of America,” he says during the discussion.
“The first step I would say: I grew up in America in a ruthless neighborhood where we are not protected by police, we grew up in ruthless environments, we grew up around murder, you see murder, you see seven people die a week, I think you would probably carry a gun yourself. Would you?
Listen to “Other Side of America” below.
