MTV: Did you have to turn anybody down? Did anybody not live up to those standards?

Xzibit: Exactly. There's days of just saying, "Okay, I need you to do two tracks on my album. You got to come in here and dust off the n***as who are already doing this. You got to compete for these spots like we compete on the mic."

MTV: You don't think that would offend anybody, telling them they have to live up to other people?

Xzibit: No, 'cause when it comes out, when I get on the stage and they say, "Check one, two, Xzibit," it's me that's got to come out there and perform that. It ain't personal, because you can be in the crowd, like, "Woo, he's bricking." I'm cool.

MTV: Was there a different focus on this album other than Dre's ideas?

Xzibit: Nah. Dre likes to listen to where you want to take it, where you want to go. Dre's ideas come after you've already taken it in a certain direction. He may add something, turn something up, add a little bit more, take something out, but you have to take it in that direction first. He can't just sit there and give you something to do and then you do it. Sometimes it works like that. You come up with an idea, "Let's do it like this," and then it's quick. But then sometimes it takes three days to come up with something.

Dre knows how to mail it home, but you yourself as an artist got to go take it a certain direction. He just ain't going to sit up and say, "Hey, I made this song for you, check it out -- blooop," because it always starts with the basic drum tracks and the music, then you play some vocals, and then they deal with it and add more to it later.

MTV: Other than your album and the tour, what else do you have going on?

Xzibit: Well, right now, I just ventured into the business side. I started a record label call Open Bar Entertainment. I got three acts. I got the Golden State project, which is myself, Ras Kass, and Saafir, and then I signed King Tee, and I signed Defari. After I finish the rest of this album, put it out in September, I plan on going out on my own tour. Eminem has a group, D12 -- hopefully we can put something together. Grab up, like you said, some underground artist that may not draw a crowd like we can, draw a crowd, and try to get it going like that.

MTV: If it was up to you, would you rather do this tour after your album comes out?

Xzibit: Nah. I think it's working out perfect for me, 'cause my album drops in September. Right now, Eminem is dropping his album. Dre just finished dropping his album. I feel like I don't mind being third. We in the same team. We family.

I've definitely recognized the potential [this tour] has to help me with my career, man. [I'm] just taking my time and making sure I do these steps correctly. I just play my position, because nobody likes a ball hog.