Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill spoke to NBC’s Lester Holt about his current prison sentence.
Meek has received support from several public figures in entertainment, sports, politics and media across the nation while he has been in prison.
He has become an unofficial symbol of criminal justice reform.
The Philadelphia Eagles used Meek’s “Dreams and Nightmares” intro as the theme of their 2018 Super Bowl run, Jay-Z, Beyonce and even one-time enemy Drake have shouted “Free Meek.”
Meek has even been visited by some unlikely names such as Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Philadelphia 76ers owner Mike Rubin and Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
“He’s an amazing young man,” Kraft said.
WATCH: Rapper Meek Mill was jailed for violating probation in a case that has received national attention and calls for criminal justice reform.
He speaks out to @LesterHoltNBC in an @NBCNews exclusive. pic.twitter.com/kYwScGEvsv
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) April 12, 2018
Meek was convicted on gun possession and drug charges in 2007 at age 19, and has been on probation ever since.
“It was always a thought in the back of my mind that ten years of probation would bring me back to prison,” Meek told Holt.
He was arrested in 2017 for popping a wheelie on a motorcycle and Judge Genece Brinkley found him in violation of his probation, and although the charges were dismissed, sentenced him to two to four years prison.
The arrest came shortly after the release of his album “Wins and Losses.” He recently released a video for the song 1942 Flows.
Meek’s legal hurdles continue as his official bail application was turned down by the judge. Now the appeal process is the next step to get the rapper free.
“I think God deliver me a job or to helping people. Helping minorities that come from these situations like myself. I say don’t show me no pity because this is my life,’ Meek told Holt.
“This is what I’ve been going through. And I think God put me in this position to be able to do a show with Lester Holt and open up eyes for other young black men,” he continued.
There is still hope that Meek’s original conviction could be overturned due to questionable elements of the integrity of the conviction and the officer who arrested him.
