Sisqó: "Can I Live," featuring Lovher, my female group and my rap group the Associates. It was cool working with Teddy, because Teddy's such an iconic figure. Everyone respects Teddy. [Before working with him] I could not buy a ticket to see Michael Jackson. There was nothing I could do. All I wanted to say [was that] when I was little he was definitely the man and an inspiration. [Maybe] give him a pound or something. Mike was not trying to see Sisqó until I got with Teddy. Teddy opened up the door and Mike invited me to the studio.

I met him, and y'all don't know Mike. I'm a big Michael Jackson fan, and I thought when I met him his hands were going to be cold and clammy. But they were kind of coarse, like he had been doing some work, and he had a firm grip. He's a real dude. He was kicking it with his kids, and I walked in and his son, Prince, looked at me like, "You ain't impressing me. My dad's Michael Jackson." I shook his little hand and he kept watching "Rugrats in Paris."

MTV: Did you record anything with Michael when you were in the studio? Did you talk about recording anything in the future?

Sisqó: Nope. Michael didn't say he wanted to do any work with me, but he did say he liked the Pepsi commercial. Mike liked the commercial, so I don't care what you all say. Mike's the man, he was feeling it.

MTV: Any more endorsements coming up?

Sisqó: I have a clothing line coming out called [the] Dragon collection and you can see a lot of pieces from that line in the "Can I Live" [video]. My line's basically an urban line with a futuristic edge. We're experimenting with new materials and new designs. I know you all heard me say I'd never do a clothing line because I thought it was corny, but at the end of the day I spend $50,000 to $100,000 per custom outfit. Every time you see me I [have] something new custom-made. Even if nobody else wears it, at least I'm not paying $50,000 per outfit anymore.

MTV: 'NSYNC is going on the road this summer. You toured with them last summer. Talk about hanging with them.

Sisqó: If 'NSYNC wanted me to go on tour again and would give me a little more stage space — no, damn, I can't go again. I had a ball, though, and I loved Justin, Lance, Chris, Joey, JC, they all my boys. But I'm definitely trying to headline my own tour this year. But if my music doesn't go too good, if y'all want me to go I can pack up my sh--.

'NSYNC, in my personal opinion, is the illest singing group. I know you have your rock groups, your this group, your that group, but as far as singing groups, 'NSYNC shuts them down. They [are] the illest, period. Nobody can out-dance them, out-sing them. Their image is tight. Being a part of their tour last summer was definitely an iconic moment for me, because it brought "The Thong Song" to a whole other audience. When I'd walk out there with the six-pack and the booty and the parents in the first row — thank you, guys, for letting me traumatize America with you.

MTV: Elaborate on your production deal with the Associates and Lovher.

Sisqó: My female group Lovher [is] ghetto, period. Lovher will get compared to Destiny's Child mainly because you got two light-skinned chicks and it's a girl group. We're not going for the crossover. We're just basically putting out good, soulful music. Now is the perfect time to bring out a hip-hop group [the Associates] mainly because Baltimore seems to be on the come-up with the Ravens winning the Super Bowl, [and] Hasim Rahman taking the heavyweight boxing championship. It's time to show the hip-hop cats from Baltimore that have talent.

I'm a little older, a little wiser. I'm more of a businessman now. I'm just coming to take what's mine. I gave you "The Thong Song" and y'all thought that was the best I could do. Now I'm just a little more aggressive. For anybody who feels like I'm dissing them, I'm not. If you know your music and you know your sh--, come with it. I'm coming with mine.