The fascinating and compelling documentary Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap marks the directorial debut of rapper/actor Ice-T. With honest interviews and freestyle rhymes by some of the masters of the music, the film showcases the origins of the hip-hop culture that ultimately saved the life of its filmmaker. Focusing on the craft and the skill, rather than the money, the girls and the cars, it’s an in-depth look inside the minds of rap legends from coast to coast and is a tribute to the art form that brought poetry to a new generation.

During this recent exclusive phone interview with Collider, Ice-T talked about what inspired this documentary, lining up the talent that is showcased in the film, the shooting and editing process, what he’d like to do with all the extra footage (his first cut was six hours long), how he got respect from other artists when he was starting out, what it takes for him to respect another rapper, how he feels about rock bands that incorporate rap into their music, what he thinks about white fans singing along to rap lyrics that include certain taboo words, what he’d like to be remembered for in hip-hop culture, and where he’d be right now without rap in his life. He also talked about where he’d like to take his career as a director next. Check out what he had to say after the jump: