To make his new album 'Authentic,' rapper LL Cool J searched for the best of the best from rock, country, rap pop and funk. In a recent interview he said Eddie Van Halen was at the top of his list.

"I just really wanted to work with the best, work with people that I respect, people that I look up to, people that impress me, people that I believe are truly super talented," LL Cool J told Radio.com. "I feel like Eddie falls in that category."

One clip of their collaboration leaked last week. The song is called 'We're the Greatest,' and is one of two from the album to feature the guitarist. "It’s LL and Eddie Van Halen together," he says. The song closes the project; 'Not Leaving You Tonight' is the other song and it also features Fitz and the Tantrums.

"I am in no way trying to put myself on the level of Van Halen or say that … I don’t want Van Halen fans to get the wrong impression like I don’t respect their legacy or who they are. I do. I just wanted to do something with Eddie that I think is cool. And, I think we accomplished something great. I hope they dig it.”

Other collaborators on 'Authentic' are Bootsy Collins, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and country star Brad Paisley. LL Cool J, Morello and Blink-182's Travis Barker performed a new song called 'Whaddup' at the 2013 Grammys.

Listen to a Clip of 'We're the Greatest' 

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