Long Island lyricist and creator of the 1987 masterpiece Paid In Full, Rakim has always embraced the new generation of hip-hop artists. Despite the various criticisms that up-and-coming MCs have had to deal with from the elders of hip-hop, Rakim has always uplifted them.

As one of the Golden Age’s best lyrical prodigies, Rakim may not be known by many of today’s prominent young musicians. However, that does not negate his opinion. In fact, many new school rappers have benefited from the praise bestowed upon them by him.

Rakim brought complex rhymes and an undeniable presence when he touched the microphone. With one album, along with his partner-in-crime, Eric B, Rakim transformed rap music completely and forced his peers to rewrite and modify their lyrics. His early hits still get played in clubs, and his rhymes continue to be recited by true hip-hop fans.

From Nas to 50 Cent and Jay-Z, some of the culture’s most recognisable faces have referenced Rakim in their music and paid homage to him for his contribution to rap music. As such, his opinion holds weight above and beyond the previously mentioned.

In 2015, the Follow the Leader rapper was considering a comeback and had begun getting back into the studio and recording new music. However, the project he was working on never came to fruition, and fans have been waiting ever since.

However, while promoting some of the singles he released during that period, Rakim sat down with Montreality for an in-depth interview, during which he praised some of the new artists he was enjoying.

While speaking about the 2015 musical landscape, Rakim unveiled that he really loved Kendrick Lamar, stating, “Kendrick Lamar is that new fuel. It’s a conscious new fuel where he’s not just doing what’s hot for today. He has substance, he’s real and he ain’t scared to make a statement, neither. And he’s nice, man.”

Sharing some words of encouragement for the Compton lyricist, Rakim concluded, “Keep doing your thing! Go out and get it, man. You know what I mean? The young truth, KL.” Many old-school lyricists have praised Kendrick Lamar.

Another youngster that Rakim said he was really feeling is J Cole, on his album 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Cole references the rapper on the track ‘January 28th’ where he raps, “Boy, I ain’t no joke, like the great Rakim, when I make my notes” referencing the 1987 track ‘I Ain’t No Joke’.

When asked what he thought about the shoutout by J Cole, Rakim responded, “That’s a blessing, man! To get love like that from people that’s on fire, young artist coming up, doing his thing, to reach back towards the past to show love, I appreciate that.”

You can watch Rakim’s Montreality interview below.