While Meek Mill has been in the news for run-ins with the law, more recently, he’s become something of a muse for his home team, the Philadelphia Eagles, especially as they make their way to the Super Bowl LII. Meek’s 2012 song “Dreams & Nightmares (Intro)" has become the team’s rallying cry.
The Eagles played the song throughout the weekend, and even at a team meeting on Saturday, the day before the big NFC Championship game. But the real moment came on Sunday, when, after the Eagles beat the Minnesota Vikings, the Philadelphia team stood on the field as “Dreams & Nightmares” played, dancing and hyping the crowd and each other up. Angie Martinez caught a video of the occasion and posted it to Instagram, which was then later reposted to Meek’s account. Martinez also posted a second video of the team rapping the words a cappella in the locker room.
“It really lifted my spirit to hear the team rally arountarad my songs because that's why I make music—to inspire others and bring people together,” the Philadelphia rapper said in a statement to Bleacher Report and NBCSports Philadelphia. “The Eagles have also motivated me with the way they've overcome tough situations and injuries to succeed this year.”
And that’s exactly what “Dreams & Nightmares” is about: defeating the odds, a through-line for Meek and the Eagles, especially as Meek is serving another two to four years for violating his probation.
A lot of eyes are on Meek’s case right now, particularly since his case is seen as riddled with injustices. Meek was first put on probation because of a 2008 conviction on gun and drug charges. He served eight months, and was placed on probation afterward. In 2016, he was placed on house arrest for 90 days for probation violations, and ended up getting a six-year extension on his probation.
He had a couple other bouts with the law in 2017, when he was arrested for a fight in a St. Louis airport and reckless driving in New York. He wasn’t charged for either unlawful act, and prosecutors and his probation officer didn’t advocate for jail time.
Unfortunately, the judge on Meek’s case—Judge Genece Brinkley—didn’t rule in his favor, and has denied him bail and rejected his initial appeal. The Pennsylvania Superior Court also denied a second request for bail. According to Meek’s lawyers, Judge Brinkley is under federal investigation.
The next move for the Philadelphia rapper is to take his case to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. That filing will ask: 1) that the rapper receive bail; 2) for Judge Brinkley to be removed from the case; and 3) that his sentence be overturned.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Meek will be able to watch his team at the Super Bowl, but there’s no doubt that Meek’s song will remain their call to arms.
