Released June 19, 2012 Recorded 2012 Length 4:47 | Format Digital download Genre Hip hop | |
Label 215 Aphillyated
Maybach Music Group
Warner Bros. | ||
"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. 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. The song samples the Doobie Brothers song "Minute by Minute."
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Throughout time, "Amen" remains the only two songs (along with "R.I.C.O.") that Mill and Drake would ever collaborate together for, since they have engaged in a well-known feud that started in 2015.
Background
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.
Controversy
"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. In a statement, Johnson said that, "As a hip-hop fan, I want to encourage every rap fan in Philadelphia who is a believer in Jesus Christ, to boycott Meek Mill until he acknowledges this blatant disrespect. And being resident of North Philadelphia and pastor, I revoke Meek's 'hood pass' until this happens." Mill has subsequently apologized to those who might have been offended by the song, and Johnson has withdrawn his calls for a boycott.
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.
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.
On July 17, in an interview on the BET show 106 & Park, Mill stated, "I don’t think no preacher or no church approves of any type of rap music — because rap music, period, is a lot of bad stuff said. But at the end of the day, it's real life. And me, I wasn’t trying to disrespect no religion or anything like that."
Music video
The music video premiered on June 15, 2012, via Meek Mill's YouTube account. 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.
Remixes
On August 2, 2012, Game released a remix of the song. 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
Chart performance
On the Billboard Hot 100, the song entered the chart at number 86 for the week of July 7, 2012.