Meek Mill, whose real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams, sparked a wave of discussion on June 12, 2025, when he posted on X about a memory from his graduation. In his post, he wrote,
“I still remember singing r Kelly I believe I can fly at my graduation …..the school system told us to do that I don’t know who to believe.”
The song in question, R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly,” was once a celebrated anthem of inspiration but has since become a lightning rod for controversy due to the artist’s well-documented legal troubles, including convictions for sexual misconduct. Meek Mill’s reflection has reignited debates about the ethics of enjoying art by controversial figures and the role of institutions, such as schools, in promoting such works.
Released in 1996 as part of the Space Jam soundtrack, “I Believe I Can Fly” became a cultural touchstone, earning R. Kelly three Grammy Awards in 1998 for Best R&B Song, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and Best Song Written for a Motion Picture. Its soaring melody and uplifting lyrics made it a go-to choice for graduations and other milestone events across the United States.
For Meek Mill, born in 1987 and likely graduated in the late 1990s or early 2000s, the song’s inclusion in his ceremony would have been unremarkable at the time—a standard selection reflecting its widespread popularity. However, R. Kelly’s legal downfall has since overshadowed the song’s legacy. In 2021, R. Kelly was convicted on charges including racketeering and sex trafficking, following years of allegations of sexual abuse that were thrust into the spotlight by the 2019 documentary Surviving R. Kelly. This shift has transformed how the public perceives his music, turning a once-beloved hit into a symbol of moral conflict.
Meek Mill’s X post has drawn a spectrum of responses from fans and followers. Some defend the song’s artistic merit, arguing that its inspirational message differs from R. Kelly’s failings. “It’s a classic,” one user might say, echoing that art should be judged on its terms.
Others, however, are less forgiving, pointing to R. Kelly’s crimes and questioning the appropriateness of celebrating his work. The conversation has also widened to include references to other embattled figures in the music industry, such as Diddy, suggesting a pattern of reckoning with problematic legacies.
Meek Mill has previously weighed in on R. Kelly’s controversies, notably after watching Surviving R. Kelly in 2019. During a #AskMeek Q&A session on social media, he expressed disgust, stating,
“I’m not feeling R after watching that… it’s so much filthy shit going on in this industry,”
And questioned why such behavior was allowed to persist for so long. His latest post, with its note of uncertainty—”I don’t know who to believe”—hints at a tension between his fond memory and the troubling reality he now recognizes.
Meek Mill’s reflection on his graduation experience underscores the messy intersection of memory, art, and morality. What was once a proud moment—singing an uplifting anthem with classmates—now carries a shadow cast by R. Kelly’s convictions. As reactions pour in, from nostalgia to condemnation, the discussion reveals a society still wrestling with how to navigate the legacies of fallen icons.
