Yo Gotti is gearing up to drop his first album for Epic Records, titled I Am (CMG/Epic) on November 19, and while he's out touring the country he took a quick break to swing through New York City's Jungle City Studios to preview the album for friends, the press and Epic staff.

The album has been preceded by two monster singles, the YG and Jeezy-assisted "Act Right" and "King Shit," featuring T.I., and the King of Memphis enlists a few other helping hands as well, including Rich Homie Quan and J. Cole. The studio was packed to the point of insanity, but that didn't stop Epic Chairman/CEO L.A. Reid and Epic exec Sylvia Rhone from swinging through, as well as L.A.-based producer DJ Mustard.

While there, Gotti gave an interview to EME Takeover, where he discussed his past as a drug dealer in Memphis and how it's prepared him for his role as a label boss and major-label rapper. "The things that them streets teach you is priceless," he said. "You're able to see a cross coming from a mile away. They teach you to always double-check everything, not to really trust people. And it teach you profits. It's the same thing with the music—you gotta line your shit up, with any deal you do—what I put into it, how much time I have invested in it versus what the return is gonna be. I think any great hustler will move like that."

Check the interview below, and his latest video for "King Shit" above.

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