A few years ago, the prospect of doing a Verzuz episode against another comedian was brought up to Katt Williams. “It’s almost cheating for me. I have over ten specials,” Williams told Baltimore radio host Perisa Nicole. “I don’t have to pick but two jokes from each special, and I’ve already deaded anyone whose last name isn’t Pryor.”

Williams is now on his 13th special, Woke Foke, which only further reinforces his point: The 53-year-old has a vast body of work that features a remarkably varied approach to joke writing. When he appeared at Vulture Festival in November for a live taping of Good One: A Podcast About Jokes — his second appearance on the show — we discussed, among other things, the stories behind three of the best-known jokes from his earliest specials.

You can read the excerpts of those conversations below and listen to the complete interview on Good One wherever you get your podcasts.

The “Everyday I’m Hustlin” Opening, American Hustle, 2007

Williams comes out to the Rick Ross anthem. Then, for three minutes, he introduces increasingly absurd situations in which the song would be played (at the library, at the grocery store) and has the DJ repeat it while he acts out the scenario.

How do you feel watching yourself?
I get on my nerves.

Do you remember coming up with that idea?
Yeah. I believe that’s probably the only joke that I stole. I had the joke written — I wanted to do a bit where I play the song and then discuss all the iterations of it.