MMG star shines

Meek Milly from Philly moves the crowd. Photo by Leon Laing.

Meek Mill has been having a banner year.

In February, the Philly-based star inked a deal with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group before dropping an album. That feat is becoming more common in today’s mixtape-driven industry. In March, XXL magazine named him one of the top ten freshmen for 2011. As Mill preps for his debut album, a Hustler’s Dream & a Haters Nightmare, he took time out to rock the mic at The Forum in Harrisburg.

Promoter VTMI Group held the Stop the Violence concert on Nov. 27. During a delay with Mill’s peformance, Mill explained the reason for the holdup via Twitter: “Lil’ traffic jam, but I’m still … bout to go hammmm on stage in Harrisburg @ The Forum.” Mill is known for his adrenalized, high-pitched cadence in his songs. When he hit the stage, he brought that same oomph. The crowd rapped in unison to hits, including the monstrous single “Ima Boss.”

Mill is not a stranger to Central Pa. We posted news about his upcoming performances last year at Club XS in York and Silo Nighclub in Reading. Trincity Entertainment booked Mill to open up for Soulja Boy at The Forum in 2010, but the promoter cancelled the show. And in July, Mill gave a surprise appearance at Lil Wayne’s monumental I am Still Music tour at Hershey’s Giant Center.

When Meek’s not moving the crowd on stage, he’s collaborating with Harrisburg-based rappers Young Cream, Filthy Rich and producer Allstar. Peep the video for Cream and Rich’s video for “Fly Away” featuring Mill.

VTMI Group is also based in Pa.’s state capital. Derek Thompson founded the sports and entertainement marketing business in February. Thomposon, an ambitious, Delaware State University grad, previously worked for the Philadelphia Sixers. He is currently employed at Wells Fargo.

It was a all a dream …
Thompson told our website that “he’s an inner city product” who has thrived. To give back to his hometown, Thompson brought a speaker to lecture to ninth graders on Nov. 22. The speaker’s topic? Bullying and chasing dreams. Thompson continued to convey the lecture’s positive message with Mill’s concert because Mill named his most recent mixtape Dreamchasers.

(See below for more pics.)