Meek Mill

When I'm not in the booth, I'm one of the most laid-back guys. But growing up, I liked DMX, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and T.I. - dudes that went all out on the track. My first songs were energetic because I liked their energy.

Jay-Z ain't a manager; he owns a management company. He been through this; he been through the game for a long time, so he knows tactics in taking artists in certain directions we need to go in.

Philly gave me my ambition and drive to get more. It's a reminder to stay on top of my game. That's not a place I want to go back to.

I'm scared to be political. You get too powerful, and more people try to take you out.

If I was to get money, that's the first thing you would get: a '96 Impala.

People say money ain't nothing; money is basically everything.

I've always been rapping before I was making money off of it. Before I made a profit, I had always been rapping.

I think it's way harder when you have success, 'cause people tend to not treat you the same or look at you the same because they see the success or the money you make.

It's always dope being able to perform with your girlfriend and get money with your girlfriend.

Jail was terrible. It was a nightmare.

I'm not gone remix a record I don't got no love for.

Being that I went to jail and came back, I went through a whole new experience in life. I went from being at the top to back down at the bottom again. In jail, you get stripped of your freedom and everything, so I experienced different things, learned more.