Technician interviewed rapper King Mez about his new album, released Wednesday. Here are his comments on his music and his personal life.

Technician: What inspires you? Would any of your inspirations surprise some of your fans?

Mez : People don’t expect me to like a lot of different things. I like anime but as far as music, I like Led Zeppelin. I like Japanese Cartoon. I like Avenged Sevenfold. I like rock and that’s probably something you’d hear in my music. But I like all types of music. I like classical sometimes really but rock is my heaviest influence. All different types of things influence me. I like Banksy I like his thought process and his state of mind… He’s like my favorite artist because he does some crazy crazy things.

The best part about music is incorporating your whole life. Everything that you do should inspire you. Everything in life should inspire you and I think that’s what makes people different and that’s what makes music different. I think sometimes, people try to follow a certain type of subject matter, and that’s when [music] becomes redundant and it’s not really appealing. It’s not really different or refreshing so I like to make sure I’m sticking to whatever I like and incorporating everything I like into my music. That’s what’s really important.

T: What’s your favorite food?

M: Meatloaf with cheese in the middle. It has to be cooked exquisitely though.

T: Favorite movie?

M: Rocky IV.

T: Favorite music artist?

M: Probably Nas . Nasir Jones.

T: Demi Lovato or Taylor Swift?

M: Taylor Swift.

T: What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you? Weird fan encounter?

M: See–it’s weird when you’re first coming up and you’re not used to people knowing who you are before you speak to them. One time, I went to the fair with my girlfriend and there were people pointing at me and I was just so uncomfortable. I was like, “Man, I wonder what’s going on?” One kid eventually walked up to me and told me he was the biggest fan.

[However], you eventually get used to it. I’m grateful for [the appreciation from fans]. Depending on where I am. Like, I did a show at Kings recently. On Saturday, it was sold out. I signed a bunch of autographs. I don’t even look at it as a bad thing. I’m grateful.

T: What’s your favorite color?

M: Purple.

T: The happiest day of your life?

M: I don’t have any kids. I haven’t gotten married. I guess, to date or recently, the happiest day of my life was probably J. Cole, texting my phone and telling me that he wanted to meet me. That was kind of crazy.

T: Are you more of an indoors person or an outdoors person?

M: Indoors. Oh my God. I am so not an outdoors person. Camping is fun. I like the outdoors, I just can’t stay outdoors a lot. I don’t like the heat. I hate the heat. I like the cold. Like winter time? I love winter.

T: Your favorite season?

M: Probably fall because it’s just perfect.

T: Prefer tea or coffee?

M: Tea. Sweet tea.

T: Cats or dogs?

M: I prefer cats. Like lions…not little cats.

T: Are you more into quiet girls or talkative girls?

M: Quiet girls. Every day.

T: Celebrity crush?

M: I think it’ll have to be Zoe Saldana . She’s so classy and so chill. I like her a lot. I’ll probably meet her one of these days. I’ll definitely have to get a picture or something.

T: Biggest turn off?

M: My biggest turn off is probably a girl being into somebody for the wrong reasons. Like [it’s a turn off] if there’s a girl that’s so infatuated with your social status. It [should be] more about the person. I met this one girl when I went out, and she was talking to me and she was talking to some other guy, and the other guy was like, “Man, you’re really pretty–I’m afraid you may be out of my league.” And she said, “I’m glad you felt that way ’cause it’s the truth.” I’m like, “Wow.” She felt more appropriate talking to me because I do music and I have things going on, but she should have given the guy a chance. He might have been nice. So with that being said, she was on my black-list for like life.

T: What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?

M: The first thing I notice about the opposite sex is the way that they carry themselves.

T: Favorite verse from a hip hop song?

M: “The Cool” [by Lupe Fiasco]. The first verse of “The Cool.”

T: Any advice for readers trying to achieve similar goals?

M: Stay focused. I’m at the point where a lot of people get here and they get comfortable. I’m working with J. Cole, I’m on MTV and in XXL magazine. I’m in this, that and the third. I’m getting free clothes. I haven’t bought clothes in two years. People get complacent. Do not get complacent right before the real payoff. People give me props for what I’m already doing and I’m like, “Thank you, I appreciate it and I thank God for the opportunities but I am not happy just doing this.” I’m not like, “this is where I want to be.”