Prior to linking up with Rick Ross and Maybach Music, Meek Mill signed his first record deal with T.I. under the Grand Hustle imprint back in 2008. He spent several years at the label but no music besides a mixtape associated with DJ Drama materialized. This was due to T.I.’s legal troubles at the time which led to having his hands tied. Eventually Meek had to jump labels in order to build up his career. Despite the record label move T.I. and Meek Mill have maintained a strong relationship, consistently working together over the years. They most recently worked together on “Jefe”, a single from T.I.’s new album Dime Trap.
T.I. Introduces Meek Mill to Grand Hustle
T.I. – Jefe feat. Meek Mill
One of their earliest collaborations was on the remix to “Ima Boss” which was associated with Meek Mill’s classic 20011 mixtape Dreamchasers. The track besides T.I. also included Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Swizz Beatz, and DJ Khaled. Meek Mill returned the favor appearing on T.I.’s track “Who, What, When” from his 2012 mixtape F Da City Up. Later that same year T.I. put out the album Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head which included Meek Mill on “G Season”.
Meek Mill – Ima Boss (remix) feat. T.I., Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Swizz Beatz, & DJ Khaled
T.I. – Who, What, When feat. Meek Mill
T.I. – G Season feat. Meek Mill
The following year they would both hop on Ace Hood’s Bugatti remix along with a plethora of other artists including Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, and Future from the album Trials and Tribulations. Then later on “I Feel Like Pac/I Feel Like Biggie” from DJ Khaled’s Suffering from Success along with Rick Ross, Swizz Beatz, and Puff Daddy. Prior to the release of Dime Trap, the last time T.I. and Meek Mill worked together was on “Black Man”. The track is from T.I.’s socially conscious driven 2016 EP, US or Else alongside with T.I.’s artist RaRa and Quavo from the Migos.
Ace Hood – Bugatti (remix) feat. Wiz Khalifa, T.I., Meek Mill, French Montana, 2 Chainz, Future & Birdman
DJ Khaled – I Feel Like Pac/ I feel Like Biggie feat. Meek Mill, Rick Ross, T.I., Swizz Beatz, & Puff Daddy
T.I. – Black Man feat. RaRa & Quavo
T.I. and Meek Mill’s relationship is a perfect example of friendship and loyalty. Meek Mill understood that T.I. believed in him and gave Meek his first record deal. T.I. had every intention to launch his career. It was just outside factors that handcuffed T.I. not initially enabling him to do so. For the greater good of Meek’s career, he was able to land over at Maybach Music. Yet till this day they are able to show their support of one another appearing on tracks together for close to ten years now.
