Xzibit Describes Dr. Dre Collaboration as Joining ‘The Avengers’

Rapper Xzibit has likened the experience of working alongside iconic producer Dr. Dre to becoming a member of the superhero team “The Avengers.”

Their collaborative history spans over a quarter of a century, and they recently reunited for Xzibit’s latest album, “Kingmaker,” with Dr. Dre contributing to the track titled “Leave Me Alone.”

In a conversation with the publication Billboard, Xzibit shared his feelings about working with the renowned producer.

He explained that when they collaborated on the track “Bitch Please” in the past, the experience felt surreal. He described it as initially being a fan and then essentially being “recruited into The Avengers.” He emphasized that he never wants to lose that sense of awe, as it helps maintain perspective. Xzibit also noted that the guidance Dr. Dre provides in the studio invariably elevates the quality of the music because he relies on Dre’s extensive experience, even when it pushes him outside his comfort zone.

The former host of “Pimp My Ride” also revealed that “Leave Me Alone” was a late addition to his first album in more than ten years.

He recounted that the album was initially slated for release on March 28th, but then “Leave Me Alone” came into the picture. He expressed his excitement, describing it as “crazy.” He further shared that Swizz Beatz produced the track with co-production from Dr. Dre, highlighting the unique and exciting nature of having both legendary figures on the same song, something he believes hasn’t happened before. Xzibit conveyed that having Dr. Dre involved in the album after such a long time is deeply meaningful to him, referring to Dre as his “brother” and “coach.”

In addition to Dr. Dre, “Kingmaker” boasts a notable lineup of guest appearances from other influential figures in hip-hop, including Ice Cube, Redman, and Busta Rhymes.

Other artists featured on the album include Royce Da 5’9″, Ty Dolla $ign, B-Real, and JasonMartin.

The album’s release has been subject to several postponements, with Xzibit explaining on social media that the dates were adjusted to accommodate some “last minute additions.”

In a separate interview with NME, he mentioned that he had been working on music intermittently over the past decade but didn’t feel it was the right time to release anything until he felt the material was sufficiently distinct. He stated that he was finally able to hear a new dimension within himself, which made it clear that it was the right moment to share his new music.