NEWS
EVENTS
Xzibit Interview
RnB/Hip Hop | Friday 26th August 2011 | Osh
Xzibit talks to us about his relationship with Dre, his new music and making his own film.
Q. How you doing? Your out in LA at the moment?
A. Yeah we actually just got back from Norway
Q. You’re over in Europe quite a bit right?
A. Yeah definitely.
Q. Your over here in London on the 23rd is that right?
A. Yeah, we will definitely be over there!
Q. Your looking forward to that?
A. Of course every time I come to the UK there’s always love. I shot a video there, there’s a guy on my new record he’s actually from there. He’s called the Beat Butcher, I don’t know if you’ve heard of him?
Q. Not yet but he’s from London?
A. Yeah he’s on my new album, he did a song called “State Of Hip Hop Versus Xzibit” It’s a banger! In fact I perform it on the tour.
Q. Are we going to get to see him with you?
A. I’m pretty sure he’s going to hang out when we get there ‘cos he lost his passport but I know his ass is there.
Q. So London, I dunno if you heard but we’ve been writing like you guys over there?
A. I know I know LA is rubbing off on you guys
Q. So many people over here know you from Pimp My Ride, and that seemed to last a very long time. Did you ever think it was going to blow off like it did?
A. I had no idea that the TV show would do what it did. I’m glad in a certain circumstance that so many people enjoyed what we did on that show, it made them laugh, it made them happy but that’s not who I am all the way around. I think people are satisfied with making ‘pigeon hole’ you, or where they can see you in one place, but I do many things. So it’s not just about pimping cars or whatever, you may know me from that but as an artist, as a man, as a father there’s many facets, many sides to Xzibit. So I feel good if that’s what you know me for, that’s fine but you know that’s not all of who I am. People come to the shows not knowing what to expect, you know some people it’s their first Xzibit show, some people this is their 7th or 8th Xzibit show I mean regardless the energy is the same and I think you’ll be quite surprised with the new music and the new material.
Q. You’re a legend in your own right, you’ve been through many eras in hip hop. Can you tell me about any particular time that stands out as one of your favourite times in hip hop so far?
A. Oh my god, that’s like asking me which one of my kids I like the best! In Hip Hop there’s simple things that I can point out as highlights of my career. My debut album in 1996, that was a big step for me. It was a transition from me being in the street and not knowing where my next meal was coming from, to having millions of fans around the world, it was that moment that happened. Going into releasing with Dr Dre and Eminem and going on the Up In Smoke tour was the second most important thing that ever happened in my career. Coming out with ‘Bitch Please’ with Snoop Dogg, that was definitely my first time coming out with a single that hit the way it did, and being with my old G Snoop, c’mon man it don’t get much better than that! These things, they kinda shaped and focused what my goals were and something I could shoot for, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.
Q. And you’ve got a new album coming now, but it’s been a minute though.
A. I haven’t released an album since ‘07.
Q. Wow, four years! Is that what Hollywood does to you?
A. It’s not what Hollywood does to you. It’s a combination of family, personal matters that I had to deal with. I had some things that I had to deal with my family, and I’ve taken ten years out of my life and given it to you guys. I don’t think coming and giving a couple of years to my family is that big of a deal when they needed it.
Q. That’s of course what makes you the all round person, doing it all.
A. Exactly, it’s definitely important and the people that understand that, they get it and they’ll be able to hear where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing when they listen to the music. But the people who don’t understand that , I couldn’t care less. I don’t have time to make you feel the maturity and the real life that I’ve been through. You can’t please them all, so I’m not worried about the people who don’t get it, I’m worried about the people that do.
Q. Tell me about your movies, you’ve been in huge movies with big stars. How has that changed you? Have you got to that Hollywood level? Are you still doing movies now?
A. Yeah, I definitely feel as though I’ve done a lot in film, I haven’t worn out my welcome. I refuse to do so some Plane 2, or some Plane 4 whatever the hell they’ve got going. It’s about making good choices, and right now I think my choice has got to be the music because it’s the catalyst that makes all this other stuff work. I feel as though when I come with the next movie that I should have ownership , that I should have a lot to do with the making and producing of it. I don’t need to do anymore co-starring or guest appearing roles. I want ownership, I want to be able to go out and say “I built this, I made this, this is what I envisioned in my minds eye, and this is my interpretation of what a film should be like.” I think that’s my next progressional step in film making. I don’t need to do anymore co-starring or whatever, even though its groomed me and it’s gave me a lot of insight on how to film and what to do. It’s just like music to me, I have to find my niche, find what makes me smart and hopefully what I created it gives all the other people and fans of mine to see it and appreciate it.
Q. You can still pull out your IPhone and call up your home boys like Nicholas Cage and Eva Mendes to come help too.
A. Well I can call Nick but I can’t call Eva Mendes, I don’t have her number, haha.
Q. Is there any other people in film you want to work with?
A. There’s tonnes of people I would love to work with, if it makes sense then yeah. If it doesn’t make sense then I would never force anything Hollywood because it’s different to music, you can try things in music and just not put it out but in film there’s so much involved . Hollywood gives you enough rope to either pull yourself up or hang yourself. There’s no in between.
Q. Have you got ideas for a film right now?
A. That’s for me. I can’t give you my ideas, that would be foolish right? Right now I would rather work on the film stuff on the side and focus on putting this music out the correct way. I am about to start moving about the planet again and I want to have new music in order to do that. Detox is 99% finished, I’ve been over there working with Dre for the last few weeks. Listening to what he had, he’s in a really good place. I believe that this is the year that we are going to see a lot of good music coming from the west coast. There's a lot of people doing a lot for the scene right now. Not just for the West coast but for Hip Hop, period. I believe that in the music that I’ve been creating as well, so I believe it’s a good time all the way around, for all of us.
Q. The last time GN seen you was in Miami, it was a crazy show out on South Beach. That’s our favourite place in the world. Where is your favourite place to tour?
A. Some of the best places I’ve been are definitely in Europe. Coming out and doing the Anger Management tour with Eminem and Cyprus Hill and having 250,000 people, 3 days in a row. I mean, who does that? It’s been crazy.
Q. Are we going to hear you on any of those mad cross over tunes like David Guetta, housey kinda stuff?
A. No! I don’t get it, I don’t understand it. I don’t need to be any more popular to fulfill and impress the people who are already on the line. I don’t need to get more popular, I just need to do good shit now.
Q. You’ve got that Hollywood money so you just do whatever you feel, I like it!
A. It’s about the strength and solidarity of the Hip Hop fans that have put faith in me over the years and that want to see something real hot. I don’t have any surprises or I’m not trying to do things that are going to take me out the element of being creative. I’m not going to reach out to any other genres like pop or techno beats in order to fulfill people who don’t appreciate what we do already. It’s not about impressing them, it’s about impressing the people that are already down with us.
Q. You’ve got people like Dre in your corner.
A. Exactly, and he ain’t doing no pop records or house records!
Q. Nice! So your on that detox album.
A. I’m not going to say that but I have definitely had some in put, I definitely feel that he’s in a really good place and that the album is definitely coming along the way it should!
Q. Still going with the West Coast vibe that we love, we can’t wait to see it over here!
If you could have a swimming pool full of anything what would it be?
A. Hennesy
If you had to be on a desert island for the rest of your life with 3 people, who would that be?
A. My wife and my kids.
If you could have one super power what would that be?
A. Time travel
Where would you go?
A. Anywhere! And if I ever made a mistake I would travel back in time.
There’s not much you would of changed about your life though, right?
A. No, not at all!
Anything to say to the UK fans before you come over here?
A. You got to get your tickets, get it together and see the new Xzibit music, come see a good show. We definitely enjoy what we’re doing and we I definitely have a lot of love for my UK fans that have been supporting me since I’ve been coming over there. We gon’ do a little bit of the old and a lot of the new and I can’t wait to see you guys when we get there!
Q. One more question! Is that your site Yodogyo?
A. No that’s not mine. I don’t know where that came from but I’m gonna sue the fuck outta those ass holes soon as I find them! That’s somebody who doesn’t get it. I don’t know what the hell that is but whatever!
Q. How you doing? Your out in LA at the moment?
A. Yeah we actually just got back from Norway
Q. You’re over in Europe quite a bit right?
A. Yeah definitely.
Q. Your over here in London on the 23rd is that right?
A. Yeah, we will definitely be over there!
Q. Your looking forward to that?
A. Of course every time I come to the UK there’s always love. I shot a video there, there’s a guy on my new record he’s actually from there. He’s called the Beat Butcher, I don’t know if you’ve heard of him?
Q. Not yet but he’s from London?
A. Yeah he’s on my new album, he did a song called “State Of Hip Hop Versus Xzibit” It’s a banger! In fact I perform it on the tour.
Q. Are we going to get to see him with you?
A. I’m pretty sure he’s going to hang out when we get there ‘cos he lost his passport but I know his ass is there.
Q. So London, I dunno if you heard but we’ve been writing like you guys over there?
A. I know I know LA is rubbing off on you guys
Q. So many people over here know you from Pimp My Ride, and that seemed to last a very long time. Did you ever think it was going to blow off like it did?
A. I had no idea that the TV show would do what it did. I’m glad in a certain circumstance that so many people enjoyed what we did on that show, it made them laugh, it made them happy but that’s not who I am all the way around. I think people are satisfied with making ‘pigeon hole’ you, or where they can see you in one place, but I do many things. So it’s not just about pimping cars or whatever, you may know me from that but as an artist, as a man, as a father there’s many facets, many sides to Xzibit. So I feel good if that’s what you know me for, that’s fine but you know that’s not all of who I am. People come to the shows not knowing what to expect, you know some people it’s their first Xzibit show, some people this is their 7th or 8th Xzibit show I mean regardless the energy is the same and I think you’ll be quite surprised with the new music and the new material.
Q. You’re a legend in your own right, you’ve been through many eras in hip hop. Can you tell me about any particular time that stands out as one of your favourite times in hip hop so far?
A. Oh my god, that’s like asking me which one of my kids I like the best! In Hip Hop there’s simple things that I can point out as highlights of my career. My debut album in 1996, that was a big step for me. It was a transition from me being in the street and not knowing where my next meal was coming from, to having millions of fans around the world, it was that moment that happened. Going into releasing with Dr Dre and Eminem and going on the Up In Smoke tour was the second most important thing that ever happened in my career. Coming out with ‘Bitch Please’ with Snoop Dogg, that was definitely my first time coming out with a single that hit the way it did, and being with my old G Snoop, c’mon man it don’t get much better than that! These things, they kinda shaped and focused what my goals were and something I could shoot for, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.
Q. And you’ve got a new album coming now, but it’s been a minute though.
A. I haven’t released an album since ‘07.
Q. Wow, four years! Is that what Hollywood does to you?
A. It’s not what Hollywood does to you. It’s a combination of family, personal matters that I had to deal with. I had some things that I had to deal with my family, and I’ve taken ten years out of my life and given it to you guys. I don’t think coming and giving a couple of years to my family is that big of a deal when they needed it.
Q. That’s of course what makes you the all round person, doing it all.
A. Exactly, it’s definitely important and the people that understand that, they get it and they’ll be able to hear where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing when they listen to the music. But the people who don’t understand that , I couldn’t care less. I don’t have time to make you feel the maturity and the real life that I’ve been through. You can’t please them all, so I’m not worried about the people who don’t get it, I’m worried about the people that do.
Q. Tell me about your movies, you’ve been in huge movies with big stars. How has that changed you? Have you got to that Hollywood level? Are you still doing movies now?
A. Yeah, I definitely feel as though I’ve done a lot in film, I haven’t worn out my welcome. I refuse to do so some Plane 2, or some Plane 4 whatever the hell they’ve got going. It’s about making good choices, and right now I think my choice has got to be the music because it’s the catalyst that makes all this other stuff work. I feel as though when I come with the next movie that I should have ownership , that I should have a lot to do with the making and producing of it. I don’t need to do anymore co-starring or guest appearing roles. I want ownership, I want to be able to go out and say “I built this, I made this, this is what I envisioned in my minds eye, and this is my interpretation of what a film should be like.” I think that’s my next progressional step in film making. I don’t need to do anymore co-starring or whatever, even though its groomed me and it’s gave me a lot of insight on how to film and what to do. It’s just like music to me, I have to find my niche, find what makes me smart and hopefully what I created it gives all the other people and fans of mine to see it and appreciate it.
Q. You can still pull out your IPhone and call up your home boys like Nicholas Cage and Eva Mendes to come help too.
A. Well I can call Nick but I can’t call Eva Mendes, I don’t have her number, haha.
Q. Is there any other people in film you want to work with?
A. There’s tonnes of people I would love to work with, if it makes sense then yeah. If it doesn’t make sense then I would never force anything Hollywood because it’s different to music, you can try things in music and just not put it out but in film there’s so much involved . Hollywood gives you enough rope to either pull yourself up or hang yourself. There’s no in between.
Q. Have you got ideas for a film right now?
A. That’s for me. I can’t give you my ideas, that would be foolish right? Right now I would rather work on the film stuff on the side and focus on putting this music out the correct way. I am about to start moving about the planet again and I want to have new music in order to do that. Detox is 99% finished, I’ve been over there working with Dre for the last few weeks. Listening to what he had, he’s in a really good place. I believe that this is the year that we are going to see a lot of good music coming from the west coast. There's a lot of people doing a lot for the scene right now. Not just for the West coast but for Hip Hop, period. I believe that in the music that I’ve been creating as well, so I believe it’s a good time all the way around, for all of us.
Q. The last time GN seen you was in Miami, it was a crazy show out on South Beach. That’s our favourite place in the world. Where is your favourite place to tour?
A. Some of the best places I’ve been are definitely in Europe. Coming out and doing the Anger Management tour with Eminem and Cyprus Hill and having 250,000 people, 3 days in a row. I mean, who does that? It’s been crazy.
Q. Are we going to hear you on any of those mad cross over tunes like David Guetta, housey kinda stuff?
A. No! I don’t get it, I don’t understand it. I don’t need to be any more popular to fulfill and impress the people who are already on the line. I don’t need to get more popular, I just need to do good shit now.
Q. You’ve got that Hollywood money so you just do whatever you feel, I like it!
A. It’s about the strength and solidarity of the Hip Hop fans that have put faith in me over the years and that want to see something real hot. I don’t have any surprises or I’m not trying to do things that are going to take me out the element of being creative. I’m not going to reach out to any other genres like pop or techno beats in order to fulfill people who don’t appreciate what we do already. It’s not about impressing them, it’s about impressing the people that are already down with us.
Q. You’ve got people like Dre in your corner.
A. Exactly, and he ain’t doing no pop records or house records!
Q. Nice! So your on that detox album.
A. I’m not going to say that but I have definitely had some in put, I definitely feel that he’s in a really good place and that the album is definitely coming along the way it should!
Q. Still going with the West Coast vibe that we love, we can’t wait to see it over here!
If you could have a swimming pool full of anything what would it be?
A. Hennesy
If you had to be on a desert island for the rest of your life with 3 people, who would that be?
A. My wife and my kids.
If you could have one super power what would that be?
A. Time travel
Where would you go?
A. Anywhere! And if I ever made a mistake I would travel back in time.
There’s not much you would of changed about your life though, right?
A. No, not at all!
Anything to say to the UK fans before you come over here?
A. You got to get your tickets, get it together and see the new Xzibit music, come see a good show. We definitely enjoy what we’re doing and we I definitely have a lot of love for my UK fans that have been supporting me since I’ve been coming over there. We gon’ do a little bit of the old and a lot of the new and I can’t wait to see you guys when we get there!
Q. One more question! Is that your site Yodogyo?
A. No that’s not mine. I don’t know where that came from but I’m gonna sue the fuck outta those ass holes soon as I find them! That’s somebody who doesn’t get it. I don’t know what the hell that is but whatever!
Find out more about Xzibit's upcoming tour at:
www.xzibit.com
