Music aside, Long Beach spitter Vince Staples is simply a very bright dude first and foremost. His low-key yet forceful demeanor manifests in everything he does, in and out of the booth. Whether it’s the unflinching, dense, and spectacular Summertime ’06 (one of our 50 Best Albums of 2015) or speaking to CNN about drug glorification in rap, if Staples is involved it most likely won’t be dull or dumb.

Case in point: Staples was a guest on ESPN’s Highly Questionable yesterday afternoon, and though there was almost no talk of sports or any particular reason for having him on the show, the interview was great. Staples detailed how he slipped into the gangbang culture of LA and how much of an institution it is as opposed to an outlet for those who have nowhere else to turn. Though he’s mentioned before that he doesn’t get the conscious rap label, he’s definitely a part of the new wave of more mindful artists. Watch the full interview below.