Kendrick Lamar's In-Depth Interview With N.W.A Is a Must-Watch

The Compton Illuminati is in the building.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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With Straight Outta Comptonpremiering in theaters nationwide tomorrow,Billboardrecruited the one and only Kendrick Lamar to interview the core, living members of N.W.ADr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella—all together in one room. The result is 25 minutes of spectacular conversation in which Ice Cube says that N.W.A opened the door for South Park, and Dre and Ren both shout out Pusha T as one of their favorite rappers.

Throughout the interview, Kendrick is admittedly star-struck by the collective presence of his musical idols, including Dre, the earlier mentor and benefactor who helped launch Kendrick's hip-hop stardom in 2011. In his questioning, Kendrick pressures the group to explain how N.W.A's members, individually and collectively, have withstood the unique tribulations of the music industry. MC Ren credits God. Ice Cube credits his stubborn sense of self. Dr. Dre credits his love for music and creation.

"Nothing that I've ever felt in my life—other than anything to do with my family—feels better than having a hit record out," Dre tells Kendrick. "Every artist will agree with that. Having a hit record out is the ultimate high."

"The best part," according to Ren, "is making the music." "And making the money," Cube adds. "And hitting that stage. Those three things are why I still make music."

Watch Kendrick's full interview with N.W.A and read Billboard's edited transcript of the interview here.

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