Meek Mill is making a push to take more control of his creative output, announcing that he is looking to raise $5 million to back a new slate of projects that include a book, an album, and a short film. The Philadelphia rapper has been voicing his frustrations on socials in recent weeks, criticizing the music industry and the challenges artists face when stepping away from the traditional label system.
“I need $5M in funding for a book, album, and short film,” Meek wrote in a post on X. In the same message, he called out the state of record deals, 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?”
Meek also argued that financial institutions hold more power over music than many people realize and urged artists to rethink how they pursue funding. Sharing a clip from radio host DeDe In The Morning, he reflected on the influence of Black culture across the country while questioning why banks are not a bigger part of the conversation. “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.”
By seeking direct financial backing, Meek is aiming to sidestep the traditional barriers of the industry and prove that artists can carve out a path to independence with the same kind of investment typically reserved for startups and tech ventures.