Championships (album) explained

Championships
Type:studio
Artist:Meek Mill
Cover:Meek Mill – Championships.png
Released:November 30, 2018
Recorded:2018[1]
Genre:
Length:69:49
Prev Title:Legends of the Summer
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Quarantine Pack
Next Year:2020

Championships is the fourth studio album by American rapper Meek Mill. It was released on November 30, 2018, by Atlantic Records and Maybach Music Group.[2] The album features guest appearances from Fabolous, Anuel AA, Cardi B, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Future, Roddy Ricch, Young Thug, Drake, Kodak Black, Ella Mai, 21 Savage, Melii, Jeremih, and PnB Rock.[3] Meanwhile, production was handled by Bangladesh, Cardo, Cubeatz, C-Sick, Don Cannon, Hit-Boy, Hitmaka, Prince Chrishan, Tay Keith, and Wheezy, among others. It was supported by the singles "Dangerous" (featuring Jeremih and PnB Rock) "Going Bad" (featuring Drake), and "24/7" (featuring Ella Mai).

Championships received positive reviews from critics and debuted atop the US Billboard 200, selling 229,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.[4]

Background

On July 21, 2017, Meek Mill released his third studio album, Wins & Losses.[5] On November 6, Meek Mill was sentenced to two to four years in state prison for violating parole and served five months at the State Correctional Institution – Chester in Chester, Pennsylvania.[6] [7] On April 24, 2018, Mill was released pending the outcome of the appeal to the Pennsylvania supreme court.[8] The Philadelphia district attorney had petitioned Judge Brinkley for his release, citing credibility issues with the arresting officer in his initial 2008 conviction.[9] [10] Brinkley had declined and instead scheduled the case for a hearing. Hours after his release from prison, Michael G. Rubin, a minority owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and long-time supporter of Mill, flew Mill in by helicopter to a 76ers basketball game to perform a ceremonial bell-ringing on the court before the start of the game.[11] Garnering support from other public figures such as Jay-Z and Kevin Hart, Mill stated that he would like to use his situation to "shine a light" on the criminal justice system.[12] [13]

On July 6, 2018, Mill released his first new music since his release from prison with a release of his fifth extended play, titled Legends of the Summer.[14] On September 28, Mill announced that he would be releasing an album "real soon, like in a matter of weeks."[15] On November 8, during a conversation regarding criminal justice reform at Georgetown University, Mill announced that the album would be released in November.[16] The album was reported to include songs about Mill's "experiences and issues with social justice" following his release from prison earlier in 2018.[17]

Release and promotion

On November 14, 2018, Meek Mill appeared in a Vogue interview, playing a portion of his collaboration with rapper Cardi B and revealing the album would be released on November 30, 2018.[18] He later announced the album's title, release date and cover art on social media on November 16, 2018. The cover art, a close-up shot of Meek Mill's face, was called "minimalist".[19] The tracklist was revealed on November 29, 2018.[3]

Singles

On November 22, 2018, "Oodles o' Noodles Babies" and "Uptown Vibes" featuring Fabolous and Anuel AA were released as promotional singles.[20] Meek Mill performed "Oodles o' Noodles Babies" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon the same day.[21] The lead single from the album, "Going Bad" featuring Drake was released to urban contemporary radio on January 22, 2019.

Other songs

The music video for the song, "Intro", was released on December 10, 2018.[22] The music video for "Trauma" was released on December 19, 2018.[23]

Critical reception

Championships received very positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 77, based on 10 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Writing for Billboard, Sowmya Krishnamurthy stated, "Meek raps with the same fervor he's always had, but there's a discernable focus on Championships. He's bridled his high-octane flow and is more clear-eyed. Incarceration has sparked a new purpose in him, as an activist and also as a man coming into his own." She also opined the reunion of Mill and Drake in "Going Bad" "is a high point" of the album, while "On Me," "features Cardi B stealing the show in perhaps her most confident rapping to date."[24] Evan Rytlewski of Pitchfork gave the album a 7.7 out of 10 saying, "Despite being born of injustice, an air of victory hangs over Meek's first full-length since he was released from prison. It captures an intensity that the Philadelphia rapper is known for and best at."

Writing for Clash, Aaron Bishop called the album Meek's best to date saying, "On Championships, his fourth studio album, Meek Mill raps with the same hunger, passion and drive that he came into the game with - which earned him veteran status at MMG as Rick Ross’s right hand lieutenant - but now with a renewed sense of purpose and direction." In a positive review for Exclaim!, Erin Lowers praised the album stating, "As much as Championships is filled with nonchalant club/street anthems, it's also about healing. Tempered by both celebration and struggle, Championships shows the duality of Mill's world--one that still reflects on the past, but has made leaps towards his future--and that's perhaps the greatest win of them all."

Commercial performance

Championships debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart with 229,000 album-equivalent units, of which 42,000 came from pure album sales in its first week. It became his second number-one album, and logged the fourth-largest streaming week of 2018 for an album.[4] In its second week, the album fell to number two on the chart, moving another 129,000 equivalent units that week.[25] In its third week, the album remained at number two on the chart, moving another 83,000 album-equivalent units that week.[26] In its fourth week, the album dropped to number six on the chart, moving another 54,000 units that week.[27] On June 5, 2019, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over a million units in the United States.[28]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Tidal and Spotify.[29]

Notes

Sample credits

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[29]

Instrumentation

Technical

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)Position
Australian Urban Albums (ARIA)[35] 79
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[36] 21
US Billboard 200[37] 7
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[38] 3
US Rolling Stone 200[39] 15
Chart (2020)Position
US Billboard 200[40] 128
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[41] 87

Decade-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meek Mill Is Back In The Studio. HotNewHipHop. Parizot. Matthew. May 15, 2018. November 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20211121165938/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/meek-mill-is-back-in-the-studio-news.50171.html. November 21, 2021. live.
  2. Meek Mill Shares Title and Cover Art for New Album. XXL. Centeno. Tony M.. November 16, 2018. November 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20220730180341/https://www.xxlmag.com/meek-mill-new-album-cover-art/. July 30, 2022. live.
  3. Web site: Meek Mill Reveals 'Championships' Tracklist Feat. Jay-Z, Drake & More. HipHop-N-More. Navjosh. November 29, 2018. November 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20220120225526/https://hiphop-n-more.com/2018/11/meek-mill-new-album-championships-tracklist-stream/. January 20, 2022. live.
  4. Meek Mill's 'Championships' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart. Caulfield. Keith. December 10, 2018. Billboard. December 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20210204161659/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8489725/meek-mill-championships-album-tops-billboard-200-chart. February 4, 2021. live.
  5. Stream Meek Mill's 'Wins & Losses' Album for Free on Tidal. XXL. Berry. Peter A.. July 26, 2017. December 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20220729030556/https://www.xxlmag.com/stream-meek-mill-wins-and-losses-album-free-tidal/. July 29, 2022. live.
  6. Web site: Rapper Meek Mill Received At Graterford Correctional Facility. November 6, 2017. August 2, 2018.
  7. News: Rapper Meek Mill sentenced to up to four years in jail. November 7, 2017. The Guardian. August 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20210410165441/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/nov/07/rapper-meek-mill-four-years-in-jail-parole-violation. April 10, 2021. live.
  8. Web site: Meek Mill to be released from prison after sports world uproar. . April 24, 2018 . . April 24, 2018 .
  9. Web site: D.A. Moves to Get Him Outta Jail NOW... Judge Shuts It Down!!! . . April 16, 2018 . . April 24, 2018.
  10. Web site: Arresting Officer Dubbed Corrupt... by Philly D.A.'s Office . . March 7, 2018 . TMZ. April 24, 2018.
  11. News: Out of prison, Meek Mill sees 76ers clinch. Begley. Ian. ESPN. 2018-04-30.
  12. News: Meek Mill speaks out following release from prison. NBC News. May 3, 2018.
  13. Web site: Meek Mill to Be Released From Prison. Pitchfork. April 24, 2018. May 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20211205152351/https://pitchfork.com/news/meek-mill-to-be-released-from-prison-report/. December 5, 2021. live.
  14. News: Future, Meek Mill return with surprise new albums. USA Today. McDermott. Maeve. July 6, 2018. July 6, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180706130138/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/07/06/future-meek-mill-surprise-new-albums-beastmode-two-legends-summer/762350002/. July 6, 2018.
  15. Meek Mill Talks Activism, Says New Album Is Coming 'In a Matter of Weeks': Watch. Billboard. Schiller. Rebecca. September 28, 2018. December 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20211207151853/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/meek-mill-video-interview-new-album-8477456/. December 7, 2021. live.
  16. Meek Mill Says His New Album Will Drop This Month. Billboard. Saponara. Michael. November 8, 2018. December 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20220730172236/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/meek-mill-album-release-date-8484015/. July 30, 2022. live.
  17. Meek Mill Reveals Upcoming Album Name and Artwork On Instagram: See the Post. Billboard. Lukarcanin. Emina. November 16, 2018. November 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20220730172446/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/meek-mill-album-title-artwork-championships-8485431/. July 30, 2022. live.
  18. Meek Mill Announces Album Release Date, Talks Partnering With Jay-Z, and Wants to Free 1 Million People From Our Criminal Justice System. Vogue. Read. Bridget. November 14, 2018. November 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108113150/https://www.vogue.com/article/meek-mill-video-album-date-criminal-justice-reform-organization-jay-z. November 8, 2020. live.
  19. Web site: Meek Mill Shares Cover Art For New Album 'Championships'. HotNewHipHop. Findlay. Mitch. November 16, 2018. November 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210151346/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/meek-mill-shares-cover-art-for-new-album-championships-news.64702.html. December 10, 2021. live.
  20. Web site: New Music: Meek Mill – 'Oodles O'Noodles Babies' + 'Uptown Vibes' (Feat. Fabolous & Anuel AA). HipHop-N-More. Akaash. November 22, 2018. November 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20220129173914/https://hiphop-n-more.com/2018/11/meek-mill-oodles-onoodles-babies-new-song/. January 29, 2022. live.
  21. Web site: Zidel. Alex. Meek Mill Performs "Oodles O' Noodles Babies" On "The Tonight Show". HotNewHipHop. November 22, 2018. November 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20211207144854/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/meek-mill-performs-oodles-o-noodles-babies-on-the-tonight-show-news.65134.html. December 7, 2021. live.
  22. Darville. Jordan. Meek Mill's "Intro" video gets the adrenaline pumping. The Fader. December 10, 2018. December 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20210418204955/https://www.thefader.com/2018/12/10/meek-mill-intro-music-video. April 18, 2021. live.
  23. Legaspi. Althea. Meek Mill Goes Through the Stages of 'Trauma' in Powerful New Video. Rolling Stone. December 19, 2018. December 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20211124034835/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meek-mill-trauma-video-watch-771414/. November 24, 2021. live.
  24. Meek Mill Wins Big With 'Championships'. Krishnamurthy. Sowmya. December 1, 2018. Billboard. December 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20220519163757/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/meek-mill-championships-review-8487666/. May 19, 2022. live.
  25. Web site: Jahmal. Karlton. XXXTentacion's "Skins" Earns #1 Spot On Billboard 200. HotNewHipHop. December 17, 2018. January 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20211121165936/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/xxxtentacions-skins-earns-1-spot-on-billboard-200-news.67039.html. November 21, 2021. live.
  26. Kodak Black Scores First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With 'Dying to Live'. Keith. Caulfield. Billboard. December 23, 2018. May 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20210202044836/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8491340/kodak-black-scores-first-no-1-album-on-billboard-200-with-dying. February 2, 2021. live.
  27. 21 Savage's 'I Am > I Was' Album Debuts at No. 1. Keith. Caulfield. Billboard. December 30, 2018. May 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20210124224256/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8491748/21-savages-i-am-i-was-album-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200. January 24, 2021. live.
  28. Web site: Gold & Platinum. Recording Industry Association of America.
  30. Web site: Here Are The Production Credits For Meek Mill's New Album 'Championships'. HipHop-N-More. Akaash. November 30, 2018. December 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20210725034357/https://hiphop-n-more.com/2018/11/meek-mill-championships-production-credits/. July 25, 2021. live.
  31. Web site: Meek Mill Samples Phil Collins, Beyoncé, The Weeknd & More On 'Championships'. Genius. Ahmed. Insanul. November 30, 2018. December 4, 2018.
  32. Web site: Meek Mill's 'Championships' Album Features Cardi B, Kodak Black, a Beyonce Sample and More. XXL. Haffenden. Dayna. November 27, 2018. December 1, 2018.
  33. Web site: Meek Mill Looks Back At His Tough Upbringing On "Oodles O' Noodles Babies". Genius. Rindner. Grant. November 24, 2018. November 25, 2018.
  34. Web site: Mūzikas patēriņa topa 49.nedēļa. lv. LAIPA. December 9, 2018. November 28, 2019.
  35. Web site: Top 100 Urban Albums 2019. ARIA Charts. January 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200111005828/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2019/urban-albums-chart. January 11, 2020. live.
  36. Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20220602092045/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/top-canadian-albums. June 2, 2022. live.
  37. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531204952/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/top-billboard-200-albums. May 31, 2022. live.
  38. Top Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2019. Billboard. January 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205173349/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums. December 5, 2019. live.
  39. Top 200 Albums of 2019. Rolling Stone. January 30, 2020. January 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105210629/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/albums/year-end/. dead.
  40. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20220618211044/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/top-billboard-200-albums. June 18, 2022. live.
  41. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20220716080301/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums. July 16, 2022. live.
  42. Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200. Billboard. November 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20220709085926/https://www.billboard.com/charts/decade-end/billboard-200/. July 9, 2022. live.

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