

Suge Knight doesn't hate on the new generation of rap superstars — like Tekashi 6ix9ine and Lil Pump — in fact, he's a huge fan ... but it's Cardi B who takes the top spot on his list.

The rap mogul spoke to The Blast from jail before his 28-year prison sentence was handed down on Thursday. He talked about his case and why he took the plea deal but eventually the conversation turned to the music business.

"That's the thing you gotta understand," Suge explained when asked about the newest rap superstars on the scene. "Rap music is a young man’s sport. It’s for the young people."

He continued, "When a rapper gets to be a certain age, if he’s still rapping the same way, that means he’s telling a lie."

But Suge isn't bitter about the success of those who come after him, quite the opposite. He tells The Blast, "I think for those young guys, out there doing what they doing, and doing the music they doing, I think it’s great. I think whatever they feel they should have a right to express themselves. I wish all those dudes nothing but success. All the artists out there, I wish them the best. I wish they go 1000 times better than us."

And when it came time to name his favorites, Suge Knight had no problem singling out two: "YG is one of my favorite rappers. Him and I think Cardi B is the most incredible artist that has been in the industry in a long time. She a natural born star and people can relate to her."

That's high praise from a legend in the industry.