Q by APP: Having been in the hip-hop game for as long as you have, how does it feel to have hip-hop at the point where a show like yours is at a venue like the New Jersey Performing Arts Center? There are symphony orchestras and ballets there, and now hip-hop is on that same cultural level with these other genres and institutions.

A by Rakim: Indeed man. It means a lot for the game of hip-hop. It shows that we've been through a lot of flack, as far as our lyrical content and what's going on in the game, but through the time we've shown that hip-hop is here to stay, it's influencing the world.

You can't get around today without hearing or seeing or being involved in some hip-hop, even just watching TV commercials or shows or if it's your everyday life. So, being able to do things like this validates what hip-hop is and what it means to everybody.

Read the rest of the Q&A interview here at Asbury Park Press.

If your in New Jersey during April 4th 2015, don't miss a Hip Hop legends event for the ages going down at the Performing Arts Center! Get your tickets to see Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, DMX, Mobb Deep, EPMD and Kid Capri hit the stage for Masters Of Ceremony.