On a recent episode of The Art Of Dialogue producer and Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am. told host and Richmond, Virginia MC Mad Skillz that he wasn't a fan of Biggie or 2Pac.

"When people say 2Pac or Biggie, I'm such a Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul head that I don't like 2Pac or Biggie. That kind of music doesn't speak to my spirit," said the producer, who's worked with everyone from Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, and Common to The Game and Nas. "When there's a conversation like that ... I like Boogie Down Productions, KRS-ONE. If it's [a question of] 2Pac or Biggie, why just those two?"

Will.i.am explained that he doesn't hold the two slain rappers to that standard. He then cites Rakim as one who he holds in high regard to which Skillz agrees. "That's my G.O.A.T. If I had a top five, Rakim is one," Skillz revealed.

"2Pac's dope don't get me wrong, but the music spoke to ... the projects" Will.i.am explained. "My escape is De La and Tribe. They took me out of the projects while I was still in the projects. It took me out of the projects physically as far as being able to reach my dreams, it was a path out, and it took me out of the projects as far as the worlds it painted for me. It kept me safe while I was in the projects. Had I loved 2Pac and Biggie while I was in the projects, I'd probably be stuck in the projects still."

See the interview above.