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On Thursday (Feb. 6), Maybach Music Group’s Meek Mill sauntered through the Puma Lab in Decatur, Ga.’s South DeKalb Mall with the confident swagger of an artist who’s ready to release new music sooner than later.
Just a few days prior, the ‘Dreams & Nightmares’ creator told Vlad TV that his sophomore studio album is about 70 percent complete. When The Boombox caught up with him at the Lab, he offered a few more tidbits about his upcoming project. “I ain’t really do my collaborations yet but I want the best on there,” he says with a grin. “I want Jay Z, Kendrick, Drake, Rihanna. I actually worked with Chris Brown, I think we gon’ run with that one as the single.”
Will these A-list guests steal Meek’s shine on his sophomore album? “Nah man, I always just love making music and having fun,” Meek discloses. “I’m always gonna be all over my CD the most, of course. My talent is my talent. I ain’t really tripping off no ego, I just like to make good music with good people.
Meek is hitting his stride in regard to the album release but there are still more than a few details to narrow down. “I don’t think [making an album] is hard man,” he shares, shrugging. “The hardest part is just picking the songs because I have so many songs and most of them are good so it’ll be tough to narrow them down to an album.”
From spitting breathless freestyles on grimy North Philly corners for ‘Smack’ DVDs to shining with Rick Ross on stages across the nation, Meek Mill has come into his own. Who would have thought that the then-braided ‘Flamers’ creator would be pushing Pumas and collecting checks for it. His advice to young up-and-comers following the same path? “Just build your brand from day one, man,” the 26-year-old rapper explains. “Your brand is your name basically. A lot of people don’t know that they need to build their brand, your brand is what keeps you moving.”
“Keep it looking good,” he adds. “Keep it running and that’s what’ll keep you paid.”
Watch Meek Mill’s ‘Levels’ Video
