Meek Mill Hijacks Drake's Timestamp Series with Heartfelt '5AM in Philly'

In a bold artistic move, Meek Mill has released a new track titled "5AM in Philly," putting his own spin on Drake's famous timestamp song series. Dropped on Friday, the track showcases the South Philadelphia rapper delving deep into his thoughts and emotions, treating the recording studio as a space for therapeutic expression.

Opening with the lines, “Chopper by the bed, glizzy by the door/ How you think I’m supposed to live when the only thing I see is war?” Meek Mill sets a raw and introspective tone. He continues to address heavy themes, including a poignant reference to the Israel-Palestine conflict: “Yesterday was on the ‘Gram, I seen a baby on the floor/ They said they hit him with a bomb, and they killed him with his mom.”

"5AM in Philly" is a clear nod to Drake's celebrated timestamp tracks, a series that began with “9AM in Dallas” in 2010 and includes notable entries like “5AM in Toronto,” “6PM in New York,” and most recently, “8AM in Charlotte.” These releases are known for their introspective and bar-heavy content, becoming a hallmark of Drake’s discography.

Meek Mill's decision to contribute to this series is particularly intriguing given his history with Drake. Their infamous feud, which erupted in the summer of 2015, was so intense that it even led to Drake being unwelcome in Meek’s hometown of Philadelphia. However, the two have since reconciled, with Drake joining Meek on stage in Philadelphia last year, marking a significant moment of public camaraderie.

During that show, Drake acknowledged their past tensions, telling the crowd, “The last time I was in this building, that man right here, he’s been representing this city since he started in this shit. That man, me and him weren’t getting along at the time, and he’s a real n-gga so he definitely got us up out of Philly real quick.” He added, “It means the most to me that I can come back to this city and show the growth as two men, that we can come here tonight and we can represent for muthafucking Philadelphia together.”

With "5AM in Philly," Meek Mill not only pays homage to Drake’s influential series but also demonstrates his growth as an artist, using his platform to speak on personal and global issues with vulnerability and sincerity.