(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)

Wiz Khalifa expounds on his "Work Hard Play Hard" mentality in the new Esquire (hitting stands April 23). He told the magazine he's looking to get white-collar-type money but still makes that blue-collar-type music.

"This is a serious job," he said. "It's why I'm constantly at odds with friends and family — they don't understand why I go so hard, why I never stop. But I like learning new things. Right now, I'm learning to sue people and get my money. After talking to people who work for Donald Trump — smart, successful people — I've realized I gotta go after all that."

Wiz got court-side tickets last year when fellow Pittsburgh rapper Maxamillion sued him in a $2.3 million plagiarism lawsuit that claimed "Black and Yellow" lifted elements from Max's "Pink N Yellow." Months later, Wiz sued concert promoter It's My Party Inc. for $1 million after the company canceled a Taylor Gang show.

The side hustle won't change how he approaches his music, however. "I'm about partying, so my songs are usually just about smoking weed and having fun. When somebody isn't having a great day, I like to be the guy that takes that load off your back."

Esquire named Wiz among the "New Hip-Hop Royalty" in 2011. His third album is expected sometime this year. 

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