We've seen plenty of Kendrick Lamar interviews over the last few years where, in his responses, the rapper is usually thoughtful, forthcoming and soft-spoken.

But what's he like when he's on the other side of the table, given the keys to conduct a high-profile interview of his own? In the new cover story for Billboard, K. Dot interviews N.W.A, just days before their biopic, "Straight Outta Compton," is set to hit theaters.

Sitting down with his mentor, Dr. Dre, as well as Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella, Kendrick asks the hip-hop pioneers about everything from their legacy to their start to their current take on rap.

A handful of Dot's questions also reveal the specific perspective from which he's approaching the chat: as a rapper himself, trying to navigate success, personal life, critics and more.

For instance, he asks, "How have you managed to keep your sanity?" which is an issue we heard him grappling with on To Pimp A Butterfly. He follows that up wondering, "How do you balance your professional lifestyle with your family?" and, later, wants to know what sort of creative differences they faced.

On paper, they're not particularly unique questions. But when delivered by Kendrick and considering the ways their answers may serve him as an artist -- in a lot of ways, it's like getting a glimpse of a conversations artists may have behind closed doors.

Check out the full interview above, and below, watch MTV News catch up with the cast of "Straight Outta Compton."