Quite a number of people were taken aback this week when it was announced that former No Limit rapper Mystikal had signed a deal with Cash Money Records. But according to Mystikal his deal with Cash Money had been in the works for quite some time even well before his release from prison.

“It was actually materializing for a while now,” Mystikal revealed to Vibe Magazine. “The conversation started when I was going through my incarceration. And those conversations continued once I came home. The right things happened and the right kind of deal was made. What I got from Wayne was don’t be to astounded by what you are seeing because this is nothing. Let’s go make history. That’s a young dude telling me that. Coming from him and given the big things he’s doing right now, that was right on for me.”

During his interview Mystikal seemed pretty confident with his potential for success now that he’s signed to Cash Money.

“Even Ray Charles could see what was happening over at Cash Money. The minute I went over there and stepped my foot in the studio I knew it was real. I never thought I would go from No Limit to Cash Money. It was like God was leading me. Imagine what I can do over here,” said Mystikal.

The rapper also spoke on lessons learned while in prison and revealed that he plans on keeping close watch when it comes to the people surrounding him.

“The number one thing that I learned is you have to watch your friends,” Mystikal explained. “Watch your surroundings and watch the people that you cry out to for help. Because by the time they come your situation will become far worse. I have to be really careful who I have around me.”