Last week, Complex chopped it up with Rakim Allah. During their interview The 18th Letter touched on his recent Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame Nomination. Inductees will be announced soon, but it’s not too late to cast your vote here.

Recently, you were nominated for a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. What was your reaction when you heard the news?
I was speechless. You can almost say, “Yeah, I made it,” getting nominated to that right there. It’s a big accolade. If I get in, it’ll definitely put the icing on the cake. To be noticed on that plateau, for me, is enough. It definitely lets you know that you’re noticed, appreciated, and somewhat made it in music.

But I’ve got other things to prove. I don’t know why, but now it’s like [I’m] proving you can be over 40, still be relevant, still be nice on the mic, and you can still be a beast. All of these things. It don’t stop with me. I guess with the titles that I’ve been handed through the years, it inspires me to keep that up. If not, push it further.