Xzibit

Xzibit is a name familiar to millions across the world. It belongs to a man who is as comfortable inside a recording studio booth as he is behind a television camera. He is a performer as likely to be seen on-stage thrilling listeners in Germany as he is on cinema screens in blockbuster franchise entries like XXX 2, The X Files: I Want to Believe and the 2013 film Code Name: Geronimo. A platinum recording artist first and foremost, “X to the Z” is also a superstar with a loyal worldwide fan base only a Hip Hop icon could garner. Xzibit first came to the attention of attentive Hip-Hop listeners as a member of the revered rap collective, The Likwit Crew. Founder and West Coast Hip Hop veteran King Tee enlisted raucous group Tha Alkaholiks and newcomer Xzibit into the clique as original Likwit representatives. From there, the ferocious X unleashed his 1996 debut, At The Speed Of Life. Considered by many to be an underground rap classic, it spawned a definitive West Coast Hip Hop classic, the cautionary Paparazzi. With enlightened Hip Hop lovers swarming to offer their approval, he swiftly followed the release with another Hip Hop staple. His sophomore project, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz was lauded by critics and fans alike, and its lead single What U See Is What U Get spent an astonishing six weeks atop the charts on BET’s Rap City. Xzibit’s mainstream breakthrough came courtesy of one of Hip Hop’s most memorable guest verses. Appearing on Snoop Dogg’s atmospheric B Please, his brash aggression was a perfect partner to Snoop’s laid-back drawl. With an integral assist from Xzibit, the single became one of Snoop’s most successful in years. Xzibit’s talents clearly impressed the track’s producer, the legendary Dr. Dre. He soon offered Xzibit a spot on his epic Up in Smoke Tour. Joining a bill that included the aforementioned Dre and Snoop, Ice Cube, and the controversial Eminem, a captivating, show-stealing Xzibit was introduced to thousands of thrilled concertgoers night after night. Forging a strong artistic bond with Dre, Xzibit got the production giant to oversee his next solo album, the platinum release Restless. Expanding Xzibit’s fan base far beyond the underground’s constraints, it spawned the unforgettable X, a worldwide smash hit synonymous with the MC. The Dre and Xzibit pairing was so successful that the Doc also served as the Executive Producer of Restless‘ successor, the star-studded Man Vs Machine. Man Vs Machine featured appearances from fellow Hip Hop heavyweights Snoop Dogg and Eminem, and soon earned its creator another RIAA plaque. His stint as the host of MTV’s overwhelmingly successful Pimp My Ride led to Xzibit accepting an invitation to host the networks prestigious European Music Awards. It also prompted numerous notable film roles, including playing the role of Corporate Ties wearing agent Mosley Drummy in X Files 2, and a starring role in 2006’s sports drama Gridiron Gang. Continuing to hone his acting skills, Xzibit can most recently be seen alongside Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes in the critically-acclaimed Bad Lieutenant: Port Of New Orleans. Amidst silver-screen acceptance and MTV hosting duties, Xzibit found the time to release two more albums: Weapons Of Mass Destruction, which featured the Timbaland-helmed club favorite Hey Now, and the independent release Full Circle. Although the latter featured some of the most popular names in music, including T-Pain and The Game, Xzibit made it clear that his primary allegiance remained to his fans, dedicating the poignant Thank You to his wealth of supporters. A household name that will continue to dazzle on the big and small screen, Xzibit never forgot his Hip Hop roots. He will continue to warrant the respect of all those within earshot, and as a lyricist is intent on proving his skilled penmanship at any given opportunity. A platinum recording artist first and foremost, Xzibit is a superstar with a loyal worldwide fan base only a Hip Hop icon could garner.