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After a strong 2013, Casey Veggies appears to be ready to make that next leap. After guest spots on Earl Sweatshirt's sophomore album Doris, and releasing two mixtapes—one solo tape (Life Changes), and one collaborative tape with Rockie Fresh titled Fresh Veggies. The only thing left for the Roc Nation rapper to do is release his debut album.

It's hard to believe that Veggies just turned 21. He's been in hip-hop since 2007 and broke out in 2010 with his mixtape Sleeping In Class. Along the way, fans got to see young Veggies grow not only as a MC but as a matured artist. Four years later, Veggies is excited to put out his major debut, but still doesn't want to rush the process. Casey hoped on the phone with XXL to discuss his forthcoming LP, what has changed along the way, and if he feels like he's underrated.—Emmanuel C.M.

XXL: So what you working on now?
Casey Veggies: Right now I’m working on my debut album and a few other things, but mainly on my album. I’m working with Hit-Boy. I got some features on the album. I got Ginuwine on the album. I got THC—dope producers from LA—working on the album. I’m just finishing up. I got Detail on the album. It’s a few names. I’m trying to get the album out the first quarter of 2015.

What’s the title for the album?
The title is not set in stone. I’m going to announce it soon probably. I’m just still deciding on the title.

How are you feeling right now about it? I feel like its been a long time coming.
I’m excited but I’m not nervous. It’s been a long time coming. I felt like I’m just taking my time with it. I just turned 21, a couple weeks ago. Artists like Nas dropped their first album at 20. It’s a few dope artists that do, it don’t really happen often. I always wanted to be one of those artist to drop their first album before 21, but I’m also happy that I’m dropping it at 21. Jay Z dropped at 26, I just compare different artist at different times.

How long have you been working on the album?
I’ve been working on the album for at least a year now. I put out Fresh Veggies with Rockie Fresh in December of last year. Ever since that came out, I’ve been slowly but surely putting the project together, gathering beats and getting the right sound that I’m looking for.

How have you grown over these last couple of years?
I feel like I grown as a person more than just an artist. As an artist I’m just more detailed in my work and what I do. Just as a person I’ve been growing up. I think when you grow as a person it naturally shows in your music.

What’s the overall feel of the album going to be like?
It’s a halfway youthful but grown-up album. It’s like a message from the youth to the youth. It’s a source of inspiration from any young kid who’s trying to do what I do and any young kid following their dreams. It’s like an ode to that.

Do you feel that you’re underrated?
I’ve been going in and going hard into the music for the last five years. It’s one thing to say you’re underrated but I try not to pay attention to that because it is what it is. The game overlooks some of the great sometimes so sometimes its what the game is going forward. You have to let the game do what it does. The thing for me, when it comes to my city and my coast, I think I get a lot of respect. Underrated is definitely a true thing. I feel like that’s definitely evident and a lot of people feel that way. But at the same time I’m happy with all the respect I’ve gotten.

Previously: Casey Veggies Featuring Iamsu! “BackFlip”
Casey Veggies “The Boy” (Produced By HS87)

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