Meech, a heavy-hitting lyricist of Van Buren Records, has come back and blessed VB fans with a brand new EP. Barriers to Knowing rides the high of Meech’s lyrical strengths, such as his grounded storytelling and political advocacy. With key features, weaving their own versions of the concept of the EP. From praying fervently to carrying a piece on you at all times, Meech makes his words bounce on this six-track EP, and draws you deeper into the mind of the Brockton rapper.

Meech what’s up bro last we had you on was February so this is pretty cool to come full circle back to you at the very end of 2020. Give us an update on how your 2020 has been coming so far, what have you been able to accomplish?

2020 has been a challenging year, filled with blessings. To be honest, I'm still trying to figure out everything that's going on and feel this all out. Day by Day

What are some of your favorite projects this year, and what artists have been in heavy rotation?

I keep all Van Buren projects in rotation, outside of that I bump everything.
Freddie Gibbs did a lot of damage for me this year with Alfredo.

Even though 2020 has been crazy how have you been able to stay focused, and for artists that are rethinking their career path cause of this year what is some advice you would give?

Find your why & mission statement with making music, study the game tirelessly and ask for help from people who inspired you to make music in the 1st place.

So let’s talk about your new project “Barriers to Knowing”, what inspired it and how does the title tie into the overall message of the project?

To keep it simple, the project sums up the distractions that have stopped me from understanding and knowing myself. Spiritually, Mentally, Physically & Musically. Just wanted to yell at all the demons & barriers that keep steering me & my belief in knowing that I'm capable of so much more than what "they" say I'm worth.

How long were you working to put this project together and did you creative process change when putting this together or was it about the same?

Process definitely changed, this has been a year in the making. I had Breaking Point done in November 2019, but something was telling me to sit on it and build around this emotion.

So the whole project is solid but my favorite songs on there are Expensive Taste, Breaking Point, and Numb. Tell us more about each of these songs, and what are some of your favorite tracks on the project?

I love them all, my favorite song always changes. At the moment Dey Controlling Da Hype is the one for me cuz it applies to our everyday lies, legit can't escape that concept and it's message cuz we're living in that shit 24/7. And the project's on rap genius, description of each track on there.

Getting into features you featured four artists Andrew Regis, Vasant, and fellow label mates Lord Felix, and Saint Lyor. What made you want to tap them in for this project?

Andrew a swiss army knife, he's elite at everything. Vasant went crazy on the sax, no more to explain on that. And Felix & Lyor my brothers, always going to find a way to get a VB feature on all of my projects.

In addition to guest features the production is also top tier which producers did you work with for this project, and who mixed/mastered the final project?

S/O Mico Juno, AeBeats, Versus, Ricky / Tee-Watt & Andrew Regis. It would be its own article if I went into detail on the production process. My brother & VB member Rlouie mix/mastered the whole thing, we really went back and forth on ideas, did some different things with my vocals and got closer to crafting my ideal sound. Next project is where we'll keep pushing the boundaries, and figure more shit out that we haven't used yet. Can't wait.

So with the end of 2020 what are some of the goals you want to accomplish in 2021?

Keep growing my following, connect more with the people who listen to me & create a project that's better than this. Hopefully I can finally get an LP off and stop doing the EP's.

Any last words?

VB WorldWide, we violating all 2021 too. Peace & Love

To know means to be silent, utterly silent So you can hear the still, small voice within. To know means to drop the mind. When you are absolutely STILL, unmoving, nothing waivers in you, The doors open . You are part of this mysterious existence. You know it by becoming part of it, Press Play & Become part of my silence -

Dey Controlling Da Hype

The first song on the extended play, Meech comes in with an almost Playboi Carti x Pierre Bourne vibe. The Brockton artist comes in hot, spitting verses on his lack of need for advice, vibing with his brothers, and ignoring what Twitter tells him is goals in life. Meech’s main message on this track is to somehow open the listeners around them to the select few who control the wave and direct the hype. Throughout the song, Meech is warning his fans to be vigilant of the people who say they’re in your corner and end up not having your best interests at heart.

Expensive Taste

With a beautiful note progression in the back, reminiscent of the high-keys on a piano, AeBeats production on Expensive Taste makes the track 50% of what it needs to be. Meech adds the other 50% with his very introspective and personal verses on the song. Expensive Taste showcases Meech’s ability to reach into himself, confront the realities of his life romantically, essentially asking the person in question if she will stay with him, even if he can’t quell her expensive tastes.

Breaking Point

AeBeats shines once again, using a piano sample that sounds somewhat reminiscent of a Six beat on one of Logic’s projects. Meech slides on this beat, either way, showing expert lyricism and flow of the boom-bap type production. He speaks on reaching the end of his rope, mentally and emotionally with a woman, accusing her of only wanting attention from the wrong people, never learning from her mistakes, gossiping to her friends who don’t have her best interest at heart.

Breaking Point is about him arguing back and forth with his woman about how her actions are affecting him and this relationship.

Heaven’s Gates (ft. Andrew Regis & Vasant)

Heaven’s Gates is probably our favorite track out of the list. Produced by Versus, the eerie, cinematic start of the track, plus an unknown sample that replays until Meech’s verse starts, sets the stage for the rest of the track. The production also sounds melancholy in a way, sad that it was conceptualized, yet doing a beautiful job nonetheless.

Meech thrives on this track as he deals with the issues surrounding his journey to becoming a mainstream artist, and Regis comes in with a hard-hitting, head-nodding verse about the struggles of growing up in a system made to hinder your progress. Vasant’s final vocal run wraps a neat little bow and the beautiful track and adds to its overall importance.

Sprained Wrist (ft. Lord Felix & SAINT LYOR)

A Van Buren Boys are back on Sprained Wrist! Featuring fellow label artists, Ricky Felix, Lord Felix, and SAINT LYOR, Meech seems as if he’s in the comfort of his own home in this vibe-filled track. Showcasing Meech’s versatility, he speaks about fighting through the pain, working till he’s numb, and even being down when he’s up. Regardless he’s going to make big bank, cop a whip, with a big frame.

Lord Felix drops a future-focused verse about blocking out his haters, and calling out the fake friends who pretend to be in his corner, as well as thriving to be the best in the game. Lord Felix’s contemporary finishes with a heartbroken bridge that ties the track together nicely. Yet another great set of features.

Numb

Numb is the longest song on the album, standing at around 4 minutes. Meech starts by diving headfirst into his verse, spitting on various topics that have plagued him throughout the length of this project, reminiscing and looking towards the future, while being cautious of both, Meech reels in the message of this EP, which we think is simply another collection of thought processes and experiences the Brockton artist decided to expand on, and tell from his point of view, with the help of a few good friends.

From the middle to the end of the track a beautiful lead out, consisting of Meech’s R&B-esque croons, and a gorgeous guitar play session towards the end, and the lovely painting is finished, the end to Barriers to Knowing.

Big shout out to Meech for coming on and interviewing with Nefarious Supply. If you want to stay up to date with him and music you can follow him on Instagram and check out his newest projects Barriers of Knowing available on all streaming platforms.

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