Kendrick Lamar has gotten co-signs from some of Hip Hop’s top veterans, most recently getting a hat-tip from Lil Wayne who joined K. Dot on stage at Power 106’s Cali Christmas LIVE. During an interview with Civil TV, the West Coast emcee spoke on how Weezy influenced his style over the years and what it meant to get props from the YMCMB chief.

“The craziest thing about Wayne, what people don’t understand is that you get a lot of younger cats that’s listening to him now and feel he’s a new artist,” he said. “I go all the way back to the Hot Boys days and being 13, listening to this dude. Just remembering the staple he put on the game back then all the way to now, to have that longevity years beyond it. For him to actually acknowledge what I’m doing right now and seeing it as a path, the same way the longevity he created, it’s a great feeling to share that same stage and a moment with him. Wayne ain’t no new jack to this game. He influenced a lot of styles and a lot of sounds. I would say I was influenced by a certain sound and flow and cadence that he brung to the game.”

Watch the full interview below.