Meek Mill recently released his 6th album, Expensive Pain, and his album cover might embodying that notion. Earlier this week, a video of a Los Angeles man lamenting the cover went viral as he spotted on Meek’s tour bus driving through the city. In the video, the unnamed white individual can be seen questioning the appropriateness of the art as it was being shown to a eyes of all ages.
“Is this what you want, Black women? Look at this sh*t,” the man vented. “Is this how you want to be respected in life? This, is how you want to be portrayed?” According to Yahoo News, the clip also shows the man trying to point out masonic imagery in the artwork.
The viral clip drew many reactions on both sides. While some agreed with the man’s points about the presentation, there were those who supported the cover, even pointing out that a black woman created it should be excused to an extent. One big source of support came from none other than Killer Mike. Mike responded to a tweet made by financial guru Dr. Boyce Watkins. In his response, KM says it’s just simply artistic expression.
“It’s art,” Mike expressed. “Absolutely. We as a society see naked humans in art in museums. We should also be cultured enough as adults & parents to have a convo about nudity & art with our children. I say this as a parent, rapper & a High Museum of ART Board member. Love & Respect Doc.”
Killer Mike and Meek Mill have every right to view nudity as artistic expression, but for the most part, when it is brought into view, picture frames and museums aren’t exactly the first things that come to mind. There are not a lot of places where nudity is openly welcome. People can’t just go in a grocery store butt naked shopping for potato chips. The same can be said for advertisements and where they’re placed. There are online, non-pornographic platforms that celebrate nudity, as well as other physical places that would accept this album cover, but the publicity this drawn up so far might not have been as great.
BORN 2 FLYHI 