(Image: Twitter/Xzibit)
Xzibit Almost Signed With Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Label But An $11 Million Buyout Prevented It
Xzibit, who is releasing a new album, Kingmaker, spoke to Red Bull about the latest project and gave a little tidbit about almost becoming an Aftermath artist
West Coast rapper Xzibit recently revealed that super producer Dr. Dre wanted the rapper to sign with his Aftermath Entertainment label, but he was signed to Loud Records, and label owner Steve Rifkind wanted Dre to pay him over $10 million to release the What U See Is What U Get lyricist.
Xzibit, who is releasing a new album, Kingmaker, spoke to Red Bull about the latest project and gave a little tidbit about almost becoming an Aftermath artist. After stating that he received an invitation to drop a feature on Snoop Dogg‘s B**ch Please, which Dre produced, he went to the studio and collaborated with the producer. The connection was immediate and opened the door for Xzibit. After conjuring up his verse in 15 minutes and then laying it down, it impressed Dre so much that a second invitation led to Xzibit appearing on Dre’s second solo album, 2001.
On that album, the rapper was featured on three songs: Lolo (Intro), What’s the Difference, and Some L.A. N**gaz.
With an offer to record for Aftermath, it was presented to Rifkind since Xzibit was signed to his label, the man who signed Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and M.O.P., among many others, requested a $11 million buyout.
“He asked for an $11 million buyout,” X said.
Rifkind knew what he had with Xzibit as an artist.
“He just didn’t wanna let me go.”
With that price apparently being too high, Dre offered to executive produce his next album.
“He told me that no matter what he was doing or where I landed, he was gonna make sure he was there for me.”
Dre ended up doing two of Xzibit’s albums, 2000’s Restless and 2002’s Man vs. Machine.