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Safe to say it's been a big year for iLoveMakonnen.

It was only around this time last year that the eccentric Atlanta-reared artist signed to Drake's OVO Sound label, and that his newly Drake-blessed "Tuesday (Remix)" found itself dominating radio play, eventually climbing to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the time since, Red Dragon Makonnen has released his debut self-titled EP, and most recently, his Drink More Water 5 mixtape.

We recently sat down with Makonnen at Fool's Gold Day Off in Brooklyn to find out how life has been since Drake gave his record the Midas touch, what the world should expect for his upcoming album, and how he lost all that weight (look out for Makonnen, the diet guru).

Success definitely goes hand in hand with "shit" and "drama," so it's nice to know Makonnen's staying positive. Also, in light of all the tremendously unhealthy food I've consumed in recent days, I'd have to throw some props Makonnen's way on the health front. Green shakes and protein burgers will need to be consumed immediately. You didn't think Drink More Water was just a mixtape name, did you?

iLoveMakonnen's album, while still lacking an official title and release date, should be coming in October. As the months continue to unfold it will be fascinating to watch Makonnen try to find his own lane in hip-hop, even if Drake isn't on the remix. 

[By Brendan Varan. He don't sell molly no more. Follow him on Twitter.]