Meek Mill Addresses "Expensive Pain" Numbers, Wants To Be Taken Off Billboard Charts

BY Erika Marie 75.3K Views
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Meek Mill
"If Jay-Z talkin' 'bout he don't believe Billboard...he been in the game for 30 years," said Meek.

Regardless of the numbers, Meek Mill is proud of Expensive Pain. He has gone on record to say that his most recently released record was better than 2018's Championships in his eyes, and Expensive Pain went on to debut at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album is said to have moved 95,000 equivalent album units, a drastic contrast to Championships' 229,000 units.

There are artists who would love to accomplish those numbers, but Meek Mill isn't concerned with where he lands on Billboard.

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"Even before my album just came out. They say it sold 90,000, I don't know if they said that's good or bad, but if we walk outside right now, you gon' hear that sh*t booming from Maine to Spain," he told Complex. He was asked if he cares about where he debuts on the Billboard charts, and it is clear that securing top spots are the least of his worries. 

"Me, I'd rather take me off Billboard," said Meek. "You gotta think about, what is the purpose of me being on Billboard. If Jay-Z talkin' 'bout he don't believe Billboard...he been in the game for 30 years. Why should I put myself in a position to be where they say, allegedly, something is being manipulated, and then I'm putting my brand on a list that's being manipulated."

He clarified that he isn't specifically stating that Billboard charts are skewed, but he added, "Billboard is not a part of my marketing scheme." Watch the clip and the full interview below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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