Big K.R.I.T. now has 2 major record label album releases and several years of touring under his belt, which has afforded him a life of financial stability. Just 6 years ago, however, his circumstances were radically different. In an interview on ESPN’s Highly Questionable, the Meridian, MS MC talked about having to choose between eating and paying his phone bill, as recently as 2009. Fortunately, he was able to keep his phone on and soon got a call from music manager Jonny Shipes that would change his life.

K.R.I.T. touched on a number of other topics during the short, but efficient interview, which covered his remarkable journey over the last 10 years. He talked about his grandmother’s kitchen being his first studio, contemplating giving up music to go work on the railroad, what he did with his first big paycheck and more. He also discussed working with the late, great B.B. King, on the song “Praying Man,” saying that he did not believe he would ever top the experience. Check out the video.

Related: Big K.R.I.T. Discusses the Grit That It Takes to Succeed in Life (Video)