During an extensive interview with Big Boy’s Neighborhood, LL Cool J noted how two fellow rap luminaries helped solidify his legacy.

The hip-hop pioneer told the Los Angeles radio host about how he felt when initially hearing The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1997 song “Going Back to Cali,” which is a play on his own 1988 track of the same name. He also cited Rick Ross’ “I’m Bad” flip on his 2006 debut album Port of Miami.

“I love it,” LL said of the Life After Death song. “I used to play it all the time. I loved it. Going going, back back, to Cali. I love it. He name-dropped me. I mean, Rick Ross did ‘I’m Bad’ over on one of his albums early on, that’s part of it.”

He continued: “Look, being used as source material is the stamp of you being a true artist. When other artists use you as source material. You know what I’m saying? When they use you for inspiration, that’s showing that you’ve really touched the world.

“And the beauty of it is, is when you really know it’s deep is when other people don’t even know that they’ve utilized you for source material. So I can sit there and watch a kid listening to ‘Going Back to Cali’ by Biggie and just sit there and say to myself, ‘Wow, I did that,’” LL concluded. “That’s an incredible feeling because there’s something beautiful about the fact that you inspired another artist and they’re touching fans with utilizing you as inspiration.”

Also during the interview, LL Cool J discussed never being invited to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Brunch and his forthcoming F.O.R.C.E. Tour with The Roots. Watch it in full below.