Meek Mill Catches Backlash Over "Expensive Pain" Album Art On Public Buses

BY Erika Marie 10.5K Views
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Meek Mill
The art shows naked Black women and has been featured on public transportation, causing a debate on the internet.

This most likely wasn't the controversy Meek Mill and his team expected to deal with this week, but it has become quite the social media moment. Meek recently unveiled Expensive Pain, his latest album that fans have been discussing over the past week. The Philadephia rapper has stated that this record surpassed 2018's Championships, and while critics debate which project was better, others have called out Meek for his album artwork.

Expensive Pain's colorful album cover features figures of what looks to be naked Black women, including some bent over with their legs open, and while it didn't create a hoopla when the record was released, it has caused a firestorm this week.

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Public buses have been wrapped with the imagery to help promote the record, and not everyone is pleased. This has caused people to take to social media with complaints, prompting conversations about the depictions of Black women in Hip Hop culture. While some have come down on Meek for the artwork—created by a Black artist named Nina Chanel Abney—others have responded by calling out those they deem to be "fake woke."

The back and forth has continued throughout the day, however, Meek has yet to comment on the controversy. Read through a few reactions below and make sure to check out our Expensive Pain Review.

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.