If you’re looking for life this morning, here it is; Compton, old and new. In their recent cover story, Billboard called on Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar to sit down with Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella. Talk about DOPE.

Hit the jump for more.

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Although he was somewhat star-struck, K. Dot was able to discuss with N.W.A., the highs and lows of hip-hop, music as an art, the group’s favorite artists – of course Kendrick himself was on that list, but MC Ren is also feeling Pusha T – as well as how N.W.A. changed the history of the rap game.

Excitedly responding to the group’s influence, Ice Cube says, “N.W.A. not only changed the game, but we changed pop culture all over the world … we made it our right for artists to be themselves.” Cube goes on to add, “you didn’t have to be squeaky clean to be just as big, or bigger than the squeaky clean artist … we said, ‘we’re gonna be ourselves, and let the chips fall where they may.'”

The artists continue their conversation with the memories of Eazy-E. E (who passed away form AIDS) “knew before we knew what was going to pop,” explains Ren. Dre admits that the two of them fought like cats and dogs, but it was “always out of mutual respect. Always out of a desire to get the best. And always settled with a cool compromise.” Cool to admit. Overall, “he was a visionary,” Cube added.

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For the full interview, head over to Billboard.