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Meek Mill released the 2018 Championships follow-up, Expensive Pain a month ago and the project was met with mixed reviews. Fans were particularly critical of the album’s artwork.
The colorful album cover includes an animated graphic image of Meek Mill, who is surrounded by three naked women who are bent over with their legs open. But the criticism just began this week after a white man posted a now-viral video, calling the artwork repulsive and urging Black women to stand up against the emcee.
The cover art for Expensive Pain was created by Nina Chanel Abney, a Black, New York-based artist who creates contemporary art, boldly exploring race, gender, politics, culture, homophobia in her work. Critics of the piece have argued that the artwork is”degrading” and “disrespectful” to Black women as it objectifies and sexualizes their bodies.
Imma just say it , I fuckin hate how black women are hyper-sexualized in the media. That Meek Mill bus is absolutely dreadful, do y’all see White, Asian, Hispanic or any other race put out art images of their women naked on city busses? No didn’t fuckin think so
— alynsavid 🕋 (@nyla__tf) October 11, 2021
This album cover not cool bro, and then I seen a video with this album cover on a bus in some cities. Like bro ain’t no way this what you promoting in our neighborhoods
— donte (@HollywoodQMB) October 11, 2021
people are purposefully missing the point. This artwork would’ve been fine if it was kept as ART, like a painting , drawing, or cover art.
parading around in a bus with caricatured naked black woman, as a MAN at that, is so tone deaf, disrespectful and a bit dehumanizing.
— jade (unbothered baddie) ✨ (@jaydakvss) October 12, 2021
In Meek’s latest interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, he explains that Expensive Pain is “probably one of my favorite albums” in terms of how he’s expressing himself. “The album is me showcasing my talent, showcasing my flows,” said Meek. “But it’s also about giving people motivation. When you come from poverty, it’s motivating to see people win.”
The album who includes features from Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, Lil Durk, and R&B star Kehlani, has debuted at No. 3 on Billboard 200.
Meek hasn’t commented on the controversial backlash yet, but he is planning an Expensive Pain: Meek Mill & Friends concert on Oct. 23 at Madison Square Garden. A tour that will include a follow-up Philadelphia date but has yet to be announced.
