A lot of big names in hip hop have backed Kendrick Lamar. Lil Wayne most recently joined K. Dot on stage at Power 106’s Cali Christmas LIVE as a thank you. The West Coast rapper talked to Civil TV about how Weezy had shaped his style over the years and what it meant to get praise from the YMCMB leader.

“What people don’t understand about Wayne is that a lot of younger cats listen to him now and think he’s a new artist,” he said. “This guy takes me all the way back to when I was 13 and really liked the Hot Boys.” Just thinking about the important thing he did for the game back then and how it still works today.

He actually recognizes what I’m doing now and sees it as a path, just like the longevity he made. It’s an honor to be on the same stage and in the same moment as him. Wayne isn’t new to this game. A lot of styles and sounds were shaped by him. I’d say that the sound, flow, and rhythm that he brought to the game gave me ideas.