Meek Mill accuses Nike of using his Dreams Nightmares brand

Rapper Meek Mill has publicly accused Nike of appropriating his brand without permission for a new sneaker and apparel collection tied to basketball star LeBron James. The dispute centers on Nike's "Dreams Nightmares" collection for the LeBron 23 signature shoe, a name and aesthetic the Philadelphia artist says is synonymous with his work.

The collection, which includes a premium $235 version of the shoe and a graphic t-shirt, was released recently. Meek Mill voiced his frustration in a series of social media posts, questioning why he was not consulted. He stated he initially believed the products were counterfeit. The rapper specifically highlighted a t-shirt in the collection that features a graphic of a head split between LeBron James and a lion, noting its similarity to the cover art for his 2013 mixtape "Dreamchasers 3," which features his own face blended with a lion's.

For Meek Mill, "Dreams and Nightmares" is the title of his hit 2012 debut album and its iconic introductory track. The song has become a cultural staple, particularly in sports, famously adopted as an anthem by the Philadelphia Eagles during their 2018 Super Bowl championship run. The rapper argues the...