In case you forgot, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly set a Spotify record this week, surpassing 9.6 million streams on Spotify in a single day. With that still doing numbers, The NY Times connected with Kendrick Lamar for a dope follow-up interview from last year.

I’ve included some choice quotes:

On spirituality and leading as a role model

“I’m the closest thing to a preacher that they have. I know that from being on tour — kids are living by my music. My word will never be as strong as God’s word. All I am is just a vessel, doing his work.”

On the myth that real street cats love raps about murder

“They want to get away from that. If it comes across as just a game all the time, the kids are going to think it’s just a game. From my perspective, I can only give you the good with the bad. It’s bigger than a responsibility, it’s a calling.”

On fame and fortune

“You can tell a person about fame and fortune all you want, but until you’re really in it and you know the person that you can become… I know every artist feels this way, but in order for it to come across on record for your average 9-to-5-er is the tricky part. I have to make it where you truly understand: This is me pouring out my soul on the record. You’re gonna feel it because you too have pain. It might not be like mine, but you’re gonna feel it.”

On experiencing police brutality

“I’ve been stomped in the back. I’m not talking to people from the suburbs. I’m talking as somebody who’s been snatched out of cars and had rifles pointed at me. [But] Playing the victim only works so long.”

What gives him inspiration

“What gives me inspiration is giving thought and game to people who don’t have it. We’re putting in the real work with these kids and these ex-convicts.”