While there are elements of Hip-Hop in Usher’s music, in listening to the R&B superstar one might not guess that The Notorious B.I.G. was one of his biggest influences. However, in a recent interview with Montreality, he spoke at length about how meeting Biggie changed his life.

When asked if he ever met the fallen star, Usher stated being around Big shaped his reality and made him more driven. He then went on to recall the first time he was ever on stage, at the age of 14, noting that it was with Biggie, Puff Daddy and Craig Mack during the taping of B.I.G.’s video for “Party & Bullshit.” He also notes that he and Diddy continue to be friends to this day and that people like Puff provide him with a foundation and trustworthiness through life’s ups and downs. Check out the video.

Related: The Notorious B.I.G’s Ready To Die 20 Years Later, The Best Of All Worlds (Food For Thought)