Meek Mill Made The All-Star Game Uncomfortably Hype

There’s never a bad reason to bring out Meek Mill. The NBA knows this, and that’s why they had him to open the All-Star Game in Charlotte. Though the rapper isn’t connected to North Carolina in the same way as halftime performer J. Cole, he did just put out an album with a vaguely sporty title and he’s the barking voice behind the hypest left turn in the history of hip-hop making him a perfect fit for the All-Star Game. 

Meek followed Anthony Hamilton’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Carly Rae Jepsen’s take on “Oh, Canada” and opened the NBA All-Star Game introducing the two teams led by LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Oh yeah, he also trotted out his brand of run-through-a-brick-wall pump up music in front of a whole crew of dancers and a wall of digital flames while wearing a massive chain over a bullet-proof vest. Nobody plays defense at the All-Star Game, but players could be forgiven if things get a little rough after having Meek holler at them personally. 

Meek has been on the upswing since being released from prison last year. He’s turned the conversation he generated around criminal justice reform into an actual program with policy goals. On the music front, Meek has been on a positive wave, putting his most high-profile beef to bed with the Drake collaboration “Going Bad.” The pair put their bad blood behind them by playing mob bosses in a recently shared video from Meek’s Championships. With Scorpion and Meek’s latest both moving units, it’s possible that they realized they can both eat without having to go at each other. 

Take a look at Meek’s performance up top.