Meek Mill Will Craft 300 Songs Before Finalizing Debut LP

Maybach Music Group signee Meek Mill is hard at work crafting his debut album and while he's knee-deep in the process, he hasn't forgotten his roots.

The 'I'ma Boss' creator honed his lyrical dexterity since his early teen years, when Roc-A-Fella Records was on top and his hometown of Philadelphia was at the hip-hop helm. He'll unequivocally say that artists like Peedi Crack and Beanie Sigel influenced him, but in 2011, Philly rides for Meek Mill.

"Yeah, [Philly] definitely showing love," Meek tells The BoomBox. "I've been working hard for a minute. They've been rocking with me for a minute. I actually got that extra step and now we here! It's time to hold it down."

The "extra step" he refers to is the helping hand of superstar Rick Ross, who signed

him -- alongside Atlanta's Pill and D.C.'s Wale -- to his MMG imprint at the end of

2010. With the release of MMG's first LP, 'Self Made Vol. 1,' and Meek's power single, which was arguably the summer of 2011's hottest track, he's cemented his place as the next new artist to blow.

"I just got into it [compiling the album]," Meek, born Robert Rahmeek Williams, explains. "I've just been working. I'ma put together 2[00] or 300 songs and we gon' pick the best of the best and work it out."

Meek Mill's most recent work can be found on his 'Dreamchasers' mixtape, hosted by fellow Philadelphian DJ Drama.