Meek Mill has apologized after posting an exclusive preview of his new music video that caused major backlash from Ghanaians.
Last month, the Philadelphia rapper visited Accra, Ghana, to perform at the Afro Nation music festival, which was held on Dec. 29 and 30. During his visit, he had the chance to meet Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo at the presidential palace, better known as Jubilee House or The Flagstaff House.
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While on the property, he shot content in various locations of the home for a new music video that included different moments from his time in the country. Not knowing how sacred the palace was to the people, the “Dreams and Nightmares” artist was happy to share a clip of the video on Jan. 8.
Meek Mill shot a video to a new somg while in Ghana🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/q9ilza0B1S
— Wave Check🌊 (@thewavecheckk) January 8, 2023
Although his American fans loved the footage captured for the video, his fanbase in Ghana wasn’t happy. They were in disbelief because they couldn’t believe he was permitted to do such a thing while visiting.
This is height of disrespect to the entire Ghanaians. Na because una see milk mill as your demigod 😂
— FairPlay▶️ 💎💥 (@FairPla84478623) January 10, 2023
This is a total disgrace to all Ghanaians, if meek mill has been granted permission to do what ever he like at jubilee house then our own artists should be granted permission!!
— Manu A. Gideon (@ogede165) January 9, 2023
Aa h so THIS GUY WAS ALLWED TO PUT HIS HAND ON AKUFO ADDO TO TAKE A PICTURE BUT WHEN SAMINI WANTED TO RAISE AKUFO ADDO HAND ON A CAMPAIGN PLATFORM THE SUCURITY RUSHED TO STOP HIM MIDWAY HMM . pic.twitter.com/Ab4GBjylFQ
— JON ZWENNES @jonzwennes #JonZwennes (@jonzwennes) January 9, 2023
The former deputy minister for education and information, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, tweeted his thoughts as well.
“All those responsible for this despicable desecration of the Jubilee House by Meek Mill must be fired immediately. How do those explicit lyrics from the president’s lectern project Ghana positively? Is Ghana’s seat of government no longer a high security installation?” he wrote.
When the 35-year-old caught wind of how fans felt, he immediately hopped on Twitter to clear the air.
To the people of Ghana no video I drop is ever meant to disrespect the people of Ghana …. The fastest way to make connection is thru music and I wanted to do that with displaying art … im in my 30’s from America and didn’t know much about the lifestyle here
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) January 9, 2023
My apologies to the people if any disrespect! We still gonna push to make the connection between black people in America and Africa … what I’m trying to do is more than a video and you should see coming soon! My apologies to the the office also!
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) January 9, 2023
I don’t think they knew it was video footage when we asked to shoot its a small camera and one kid … in America we didn’t know this existed and was excited to show because they don’t show Ghana on our media much! So I’ll take responsibility for my mistake! Not intentional https://t.co/obDZb9Czu5
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) January 9, 2023
Following his apology, Ablakwa wrote on Facebook that he believed Williams was genuinely sorry for his actions and that Ghanaians should accept Mill’s apology, GhanaWeb reports.
Williams followed up with another tweet that this moment should be used as a learning experience for all Black people.
I’m just not here for no separation of anything black … we already separated enough and don’t understand each others cultures … let’s used this to help fix that and not more judgement towards each other!
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) January 9, 2023
