"Amen"
Single by Meek Mill featuring Drake and Jeremih
from the album Dreams and Nightmares and Dreamchasers 2
Released	June 19, 2012
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2012
Genre	Hip hop
Length	4:47
Label	215 Aphillyated, Maybach Music Group, Warner Bros.
Writer(s)	Robert Williams, Aubrey Graham, Jeremy Felton, Orlando Tucker, Dwane Weir II
Producer	Key Wayne, Jahlil Beats
Meek Mill singles chronology
"So Sophisticated" (2012) "Amen" (2012) "My Moment" (2012) Drake singles chronology "Pop That" (2012) "Amen" (2012) "Crew Love" (2012) Jeremih singles chronology "I Don't Deserve You" (2011) "Amen" (2012) "My Moment" (2012)

"Amen" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Meek Mill, released as the lead single from his debut studio album Dreams and Nightmares, on June 19, 2012.^[1][2][3] The song features fellow rapper, Canadian recording artist Drake with uncredited vocals from R&B singer Jeremih. It was produced by KeY Wane and Jahlil Beats.

Background [edit]

The song, co-produced by KeY Wane and Jahlil Beats, was originally released on Meek Mill's ninth mixtape, Dreamchasers 2 (2012). The song was later officially released mastered, via iTunes and Amazon on June 19, 2012 in the US. American singer-songwriter Jeremih is officially credited as a featured artist on the mixtape version and although his vocals remain on the single version, he is not credited as a guest appearance. Drake's verse has been credited as one of the best of 2012 by Complex Magazine.^[4]

Controversy [edit]

"Amen" has received much backlash from religious organizations. On July 11, 2012, Meek Mill called into Philadelphia radio station Hot 107.9 and argued with Philadelphia pastor and rapper Jomo K. Johnson about the song. Johnson pushed for a boycott of the song, and will soon publish a book about Mill and MMG accusing them of blasphemy. Mill has subsequently apologized to those who might have been offended by the song, and Johnson has withdrawn his calls for a boycott.^[5]

The controversy garnered reactions from several gospel hip hop artists. In an interview with Billboard, Lecrae was asked what he thought of the controversy, and he responded:

It's going to sound funny, but it doesn't bother me if a person doesn't understand the root or the base meaning of something, or if they don't value that thing to speak about it. It's almost like being mad at a blind person for bumping into you. You don't get mad at the blind person for bumping into you, you show them where the seat is, so I'm more interesting [sic] in helping people understand what those terms mean verses [sic] getting mad at its misuse.

—Lecrae, Billboard^[6]

The Ambassador and Da T.R.U.T.H. also commented on the controversy in interviews by saying that they greatly appreciated that Johnson took a public stand against the song, though Da T.R.U.T.H. stated that there is a possibility that Johnson could have reasoned more with Meek Mill in the radio debate instead of just making blanket statements.^[7][8]

Music video [edit]

The music video premiered on June 15, 2012, via Meek Mill's YouTube account.^[9] The video features both Meek Mill and Drake but not Jeremih. It features cameos by Juelz Santana, Travis Porter, Waka Flocka Flame, French Montana, J. Cole, Jermaine Dupri, Fat Joe, Wale and Mack Maine.^[10][11]

Remixes [edit]

On August 2, 2012, Game released a remix of the song.^[12] On September 3, 2012 Lil Wayne released a remix of the song on his mixtape "Dedication 4". Slim Thug also released a remix of the song on his mixtape entitled Thug Thursday.

Track listing [edit]

Digital single

Chart performance [edit]

On the Billboard Hot 100, the song entered the chart at number 86 for the week of July 7, 2012. As a result of rising on Rhythmic and Urban radio, "Amen" has begun ascending the chart and has so far reached number 2. The song has also managed to reach the # 1 spot on both the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and Rap Songs Chart, making it Meek Mill's 1st on both charts and Drake's 26th and 19th top 10 respectively.^[13]

Charts [edit]

References [edit]

1. ^ "SoulCulture - Meek Mill f/ Drake – ‘Amen’". SoulCulture.co.uk. Retrieved 17 June 2012.  Text " Cover Art + Lyric Video" ignored (help)
2. ^ "iTunes - Music - Amen - Single by Meek Mill". iTunes. Retrieved 19 June 2012. 
3. ^ "Amazon.com - Music - Amen - Single by Meek Mill". Amazon.com. Retrieved 19 June 2012. 
4. ^ http://www.complex.com/music/2012/12/2012-year-in-review-the-25-best-guest-verses-of-2012/drake-amen
5. ^ Alexis, Nadeska (July 18, 2012). "Meek Mill Apologizes, Pastor Calls Off 'Amen' Boycott" (Web). MTV. Viacom. Retrieved July 28, 2012. 
6. ^ McDermott, Tyler K. (July 25, 2012). "Lecrae Talks Upcoming 'Gravity' Album, Big K.R.I.T. Collabo, & Chart Success" (Web). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved July 28, 2012. 
7. ^ Sketch the Journalist (July 25, 2012). "The Ambassador on Meek Mill/Amen/Pastor Jomo situation" (Video). YouTube. Retrieved July 28, 2012. 
8. ^ Sketch the Journalist (July 23, 2012). "Da' T.R.U.T.H. on Meek Mill/Amen/Pastor Jomo situation" (Video). YouTube. Retrieved July 28, 2012. 
9. ^ "Meek Mill ft Drake - Amen (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 22 June 2012. 
10. ^ http://www.vibe.com/article/new-video-meek-mill-feat-drake-amen
11. ^ http://www.complex.com/music/2012/07/video-meek-mill-f-drake-amen
12. ^ "Game f. Meek Mill & Drake - "Amen Remix"". HipHopDX. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012. 
13. ^ ^{a b} "Meek Mill and Drake - Amen". acharts.us. Retrieved 29 July 2012. 
14. ^ "Week of August 04, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 29 July 2012. 
15. ^ "Week of August 04, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 29 July 2012. 
16. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - 2012 Year End Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-17. 
17. ^ "Rap Songs - 2012 Year End Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-17. 

External links [edit]

• Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics