My music is the foundation of everything that I do, and my fans make it possible for me to keep recording.
— Xzibit
How can you not like the Lakers?
Busta Rhymes is my brother from another mother.
I have always been aware of my surroundings.
When I'm headlining something like the Up in Smoke Tour, that's when I'm headlining something.
We been bubblin' in the Los Angeles underground for years.
I've definitely grown a lot as an individual, as a man, and as a father, and that perspective needs to be shared and put out there.
When I did 'Restless,' I felt that was a stepping stone.
Money is part of the game, but let's take this music as musicians to the next level, don't be recycling beats over and over and over again.
I know 'Napalm' seems like a military-themed album, but what it is, is just the backdrop and the imagery that we used.
I took a strong stand to get away from Sony Records.
The same kids listening to Papa Roach will listen to an Xzibit CD.
I've been in an artist position. I've been in a management position.
The landscape of the music business has changed and I definitely have to take advantage of that.
Dr Dre has never told me a lie. I look up to him, not only as a business man, but just as someone who has become his own man in this business. He's always recognised the hard-working ethic that I have and given me opportunities based on that.
I know what it feels like to be treated incorrectly.
I did not go to college.
Black people don't really see ghosts or aliens.
Censorship is a touchy subject, all the way around.
Timbaland was crazy to work with. When he stepped in the studio, it was like working with Morpheus from 'The Matrix' - he stepped in with three beats and said, 'Pick one.' They all sounded crazy, but I could only pick one. I picked one and he hooked me up.
Restless' was something totally different, and I couldn't use the same material. 'Man Vs. Machine' is scientific. It's broken down in a whole different way.
I feel like the first album contained a lot of personal songs, like 'The Foundation' or 'Carry the Weight.'
It feels good to be able to go from music to film and have a good transition and be given the opportunities I've been given.
Whatever was banging, I would listen to it.
Every project, I try to go up another level.
To put it in a nutshell, I'm known for basically killin' the rhymes, you know what I'm sayin,' goin' for it.
We had to pull some strings to get off of Sony.
I've made some leaps and bounds as an underground artist.
I love a challenge.
You know, social media unites us with our fans, gets the middle man out of the way, and you get to directly hear what they think.
The man I was when I was 18 and 19, when I really wasn't a man, is not the man I am now.
Once you mature you start wanting different things out of life and wanting different things for yourself.
Xavier Kingston was my second born son and he passed away prematurely. He lived for 13 days then he passed.
I am the first millionaire in my family.
Restless' was cool. I wish I had more time to put it together.
Instead of trying to police the entertainment industry we should strongly suggest that parents take a stronger role in what their kids get into.
Iraq is just like New York. It's just like Detroit. It's where people live and raise their families.
Dre was extremely involved in 'Restless,' but I told him that the next record had to be called 'Man Vs. Machine' because I have specific topics and ways to work my writing for that topic.
I think I've overcome a lot, and I feel like 'Man vs. Machine' was a fitting title to personify that struggle.
The things I used to say when I was 18, 19 or 20 aren't the things I'm feeling now, you know?
I'm one of those cats who could listen to Public Enemy and then pop that out and throw an NWA tape in there.
Once you realize security can't even secure themselves, how the hell they gonna secure you?
I've always had a lot of respect for E-40.
I sold 2 million records on Loud, which was one-tenth of the size of Sony.
As hip-hop artists, you have to take the music seriously, not just as a way to get rich.
I'm doing things that feel good to my soul. I've had plenty opportunity to do other things, but it didn't feel right, and it wasn't right. And if it feels like work, then it's work. But if you have that opportunity to do what you love, and you can make a living out of it, then that's a blessing and I never take that for granted.
I don't really care what people think of me.
Music is the best way I can express myself, meaning that why I write and how I came to love music comes out through Xzibit. Who I am, who Alvin Joiner is, comes out when I pick up that pen and write.
The experiences that I've had in the music industry have given me a learning curve.
I want to support myself legally, and take advantage of the opportunities and organize and benefit from those choices.
