Just two and a half months ago newcomer Paypa was in our offices humbly expressing his hopes for the future. He met with our staff and explained that being compared to other rappers doesn't bother him at all. "I get a lot of comparisons to Drake," Paypa told The BoomBox. "I'd like to do a record with him just to show how much I don't sound like him." But just when the idea of the unsigned newbie teaming with Drizzy seemed unlikely, Paypa signed a deal with SRC/Universal Records -- home to Akon, Asher Roth and Ray J.

We caught up with Paypa to see if things have changed much since the news broke of his deal. "Nothing has really changed that much for me on the surface, all my hustling led me to this point so it's definitely a pay off, but now's not the time for me to rest and get comfortable," Paypa told the BoomBox. "I work harder now, getting signed was one goal but it's not the end of my journey. I'm thinking, 'Okay, I got signed. What's next?' I guess I just set the bar really high for myself."

The Chicago bred rapper is not letting his deal go to his head, but that doesn't mean his family and friends are celebrating for him. "My parents man, they're more excited than anyone. They feel like I've made it and are really proud of me. That's something great to hear. Everybody back in Chi has been positive too, I've been blessed and I don't take it for granted for a second, but I don't feel like I've made it yet."


In an effort to keep the momentum going, Paypa is currently working on the follow-up to his last mixtape 'Tunnel Vision' and mapping out his debut, 'Feel Good Music,' which has not been given a release date, but is in the works. "I've been steady freestyling and writing, and I've been spending way more time in the studio. I definitely get less sleep but I know it's all worth it," Paypa confessed. "I'm working on another mixtape, 'Tunnel Vision 2: Ramadan Season.' Ramadan is the ninth month when Muslims fast. I'm sending a message to the other rappers out there that Imma make my time and won't let them eat! After that, It's my first album. Its gonna be insane. I'm trying to go platinum. This is just the beginning!"

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