(Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

No one ever wants to be the weakest link on a winning team. For upstart Philadelphia-bred wordsmith Meek Mill being a part of Rick Ross’ burgeoning label, Maybach Music Group, means matching the Bawse’s tireless work ethic, hit for hit.

Since signing to the label earlier this year, the rap rookie has already shown he’s more than up to the task. The young spitta showed his worth by being featured on the two lead singles (“Play Your Part” and “Pandemonium”) off the Maybach Music Group compilation album, Self Made, which was released this past March. Meek followed up with some radio bangers of his own “I’m a Boss” and “Tupac Back” featuring Ross. The latter has become one of the biggest anthems of 2011.

“He [Tupac] influenced me because he was young black, and from the streets,” Meek says of the song following a performance at the Global Fusion Festival in Philadelphia last weekend. “He went through the same thing I went through, I was locked up while I was in midst of doing my rap stuff. He speaks about the struggle and for the struggle. I’m for the same things. Pac was a person who said anything he wanted, when he wanted and I’m that same type of person. He just influenced me as young black man at the end of the day.”

Gearing up to record his upcoming debut Meek says he’s taking a cue from Rozay when it comes to putting out a project that represents his artistry and the label correctly.

“For the “Tupac Back” record Ross made the hook,” Meek admits. “All the hooks Ross got for me Imma automatically go in on because Ross inspires me to make good music.”  

Hence his untitled solo debut will feature some of the same characteristics in Ross’ critically-acclaimed work. “It’s going to be a lot of soulful music on there…you know realness. A lot of spit, lyrical ability, and nice beats.”

Meek plans to drop a new mixtape Dream Chaser next month in anticipation of his solo debut.