Meek Mill’s incarceration has become a symbol of the ills of the criminal justice system, and he does not want other young black men to get caught up.

Don Lemon interviewed the rapper via phone and asked him what advice he has for other black men and how they should “conduct themselves.”

“I want people to be careful. I want people to be careful, especially young minorities. I call it target practice,” said the Philly native. “When you’re already a target and you’re in high risk neighborhoods where people go to jail a lot, be careful [and] watch the way you move because you could get caught up in a situation like this where you could be 18 years old and suffer from it when you’re 30 years old.”

Meek said he feels lucky because he’s strong and has been able to lose fans and endorsements and regain them and “keep people believing in me.”

He also implored people to vote to change the criminal justice system.

“The most important thing I want to say is vote. When it’s time vote for governor, when it’s time to vote for judges, DAs…vote,” he said. “Let’s vote for people that are into justice reform and helping the urban community. We’re being affected by it but we’re not voting and we’re not holding any political presence.”

Meek is currently serving two to four years in jail for a probation violation. The Philadelphia District Attorney's office announced a new trial for Meek on Monday. 

“I try to keep my spirits high,” he said of the decision. “I try not to get my hopes up from that courtroom right there but I feel like I will be free one day because the DA making that statement saying something is wrong here. I don’t think they saying it just to say it. They’re saying it for a reason.”

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