Free Meek
GenreTrue crime[1]
Documentary[2]
StarringMeek Mill
Jay-Z
Van Jones
Michael G. Rubin
Tamika Mallory
Paul Solotaroff
Swizz Beatz
ComposersRoahn Hylton
Jacob Yoffee[3]
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes5 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersMichael John Warren
Erin Gamble
Eli Holzman
Jay-Z
Meek Mill
Aaron Saidman
Isaac Solotaroff
Paul Solotaroff
ProducerPatrick Altema
Production locationsPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
New York City, New York
Los Angeles, California
CinematographyGregg de Domenico
Running time33–48 minutes
Production companiesRoc Nation
The Intellectual Property Corporation[4]
Amazon Studios
Original release
NetworkAmazon Prime Video
ReleaseAugust 9, 2019 (2019-08-09)

Free Meek is a 2019 true-crime docuseries about American rapper Meek Mill's ongoing battle with the U.S. justice system following a disputed conviction in 2007. The five-part series premiered August 9, 2019, on Amazon Prime Video,[5] and is produced by his record label, Roc Nation and The Intellectual Property Corporation, and executive produced by Mill and Jay-Z.[4][6] A trailer was released during the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards ahead of its premiere.[7]

Background

The series examines how Mill has been repeatedly returned to prison based on trivial violations of his parole, and probes the problematic circumstances of the original charges, of which he maintains his innocence. The series includes interviews with Mill and his family, along with Jay-Z, CNN commentator Van Jones, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael G. Rubin, Black Lives Matter activist Tamika Mallory, and Rolling Stone reporter Paul Solotaroff.[2] Quest Research & Investigations (QRI), a firm that collects and examines evidence for litigators, was featured in the docuseries after looking at the facts of Mill's case. The firm had previously worked on the docuseries The Case Against Adnan Syed.[7]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected by [8]Original air date [9]
1"Two Americas"Isaac SolotaroffAugust 9, 2019 (2019-08-09)
Meek Mill is a hip-hop superstar but got his start as a battle rapper on the streets of Philly's roughest neighborhoods. At age 19, a violent encounter with law enforcement sends him to jail and ensnares him in the justice system. He will spend the next 11 years trying to break free of its grasp.
2"The Trap"Isaac SolotaroffAugust 9, 2019 (2019-08-09)
Judge Genece Brinkley finds Meek guilty of gun and drug charges and sentences him to 11.5 to 23 months in jail and 10 years of probation. Once released, Meek's music career explodes as he joins forces with Rick Ross and Roc Nation, but a series of probation violations lands him back in Brinkley's courtroom and back in jail. He's now part of a trap that he can't escape.
3"Under Her Thumb"Isaac SolotaroffAugust 9, 2019 (2019-08-09)
Meek struggles with probation as his personal life spirals out of control. After a battle with addiction, a brawl in an airport and an arrest for popping a wheelie, Judge Brinkley sends him to prison for 2-4 years. The case ignites tensions about racial injustice and protesters take to the streets while an investigation into the judge by Meek's defense team produces shocking revelations.
4"Filthadelphia"Isaac SolotaroffAugust 9, 2019 (2019-08-09)
Private investigators take a deep dive into Meek's original arrest and discover new clues. Former cops share explosive allegations about Meek's arresting officer and the investigators learn that the version of events that was presented at Meek's trial may not be the truth. Meek's supporters feel a fresh sense of hope, but will the new revelations be enough to free Meek?
5"Free, Not Free"Isaac SolotaroffAugust 9, 2019 (2019-08-09)
Protesters surround the courthouse as Judge Brinkley decides Meek's fate. Even prosecutors agree that his case should be overturned, but the Judge's decision leaves lawyers scrambling for a new plan. Meek finds himself at the center of a huge national movement as he struggles to overcome the trauma of his prison experience and create a legacy that could change the system forever.

References

  1. ^ "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Free Meek' on Amazon Prime, a Documentary Chronicle of Rapper Meek Mill's Many Legal Troubles". Decider. August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Williams, Janice (August 9, 2019). "Everything to know about Meek Mill's Amazon Prime Video documentary series 'Free Meek'". Newsweek. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  3. ^ "Composers Jacob Yoffee and Roahn Hylton Talk About Scoring Amazon's 'Free Meek Mill' Docuseries". Blackfilm. August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Berman, Judy (July 31, 2019). "'Free Meek' Brings Meek Mill's Long Legal Nightmare to Life". Time. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  5. ^ Langmann, Brady (August 11, 2019). "Inside the Relentless Private Investigation That Granted Meek Mill a New Trial". Esquire. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  6. ^ Giorgis, Hannah (August 9, 2019). "The Revelations of Meek Mill's Legal Limbo". The Atlantic. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 24, 2019). "'Free Meek' Trailer: Amazon's Meek Mill Docuseries Exposes Criminal Justice System Flaws; Premiere Date Set". Deadline. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  8. ^ "Free Meek - TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  9. ^ Orcutt, K. C. (June 24, 2019). "Meek Mill documentary series "Free Meek" to premiere on Amazon". REVOLT. Retrieved September 13, 2019.

External links


Meek Mill
Amazon Prime Video original programming
Categories