Biography

Years before, Xzibit began as a member of the Likwit Crew, a loose collective of West Coast rappers including tha Alkaholiks and King T. After touring with them in 1995, Loud Records released the feisty young rapper's debut album, At the Speed of Life (1996). The album became an underground hit, and when Xzibit released his follow-up, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz (1998), he was again heralded one of the West Coast's most promising talents.

Xzibit got his start as a member of the Likwit Crew which toured with Tha Alkaholiks in 1995. In 1996 Xzibit made his solo debut with At The Speed Of Life, produced by DJ Muggs (of Cypress Hill) and Diamond D. 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz followed in 1998. One of his big break throughs into the public eye were some high profile guest appearances on Dr. Dre's multi-platinum album "Chronic 2001", on songs like "What's the Difference?" In 2000, Xzibit released Dr. Dre-produced Restless, followed by Man Vs. Machine in 2002. His most recent album is Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Xzibit's big breakthrough came when he joined Snoop Dogg for the Dre-produced coast-to-coast hit "Bitch Please." Next, he appeared on the posse song "Some L.A. Niggaz" from Dre's 2001 (1999) album, yet another high-profile appearance. By this time, Dre had obviously recognized Xzibit's talent and invited the young rapper to crisscross America during summer 2000 with the massive Up in Smoke tour, which featured Snoop, Eminem, and Ice Cube, among many others. That winter, Loud released Xzibit's biggest-budget album yet, the Dre-executive-produced Restless (2000), which boasted the single "X." The song became the rapper's biggest hit yet but didn't top the charts or break him into heavy rotation at either urban radio or MTV.

Xzibit, born into a tough life living in Detroit, also had to grow up without his mother by his side. She sadly passed away when he was only 9. He was then living with his dad. Without any entertainment to occupy himself he started writing rhymes at age 10, he didn't even have a radio to listen to. His Father and step-mom moved the family to New Mexico. 

Xzibit was then taken out of home at 14 after constantly getting into trouble. When he turned 17 he was released from the state as he was now considered an adult. Xzibit then made his way to California looking to start his music career. Xzibit arrived in California on a mission to get a deal, so he met with a number of figure heads and started appearing on peoples albums. 

A producer by the name of Broadway was instrumental in introducing him to Tha Alkaholiks, who in turn got him together with King Tee. Xzibit turned it out on the posse cut, "Freestyle Ghetto" on "King Tee IV Life," and after that got busy on the Liks' "Coast ][ Coast" on the joints, "Hit and Run" (the sequel, featuring an appearance by adult movie star Ron Hightower, is on Xzibit's album) and on "Flashback," where he showcased his humorous side as one of The Baby Babbas. LOUD records head kahoona Steve Rifkin offered him a deal soon afterword.

In 1996 Xzibit completed his debut solo album, At the Speed of Life.
"I named the album "At The Speed Of Life" because there's a whole lot of shit that niggas go through. I know more niggas that is off-the-wall and crazy, runnin' guns and shit than I know regular Joes that all they want to do is feed their kids. 

That's their speed. But it's weird how everything is coinciding together, and at the same time is moving in all kinds of different directions." Xzibit with his one of a kind voice and natural intensity beamed songs like "Paparazzi" and "The Foundation" into peoples minds through radio, and soon Xzibit was becoming a well known name on the streets. At The Speed Of Life was met with excelent reviews.

"I couldn't pick a better time because what I'm bringin' to the table is fresh and new..." , "I did this album for a lot of reasons other than the flim-flam and the whoopty-whoop, the pictures, the travel and all that shit," says Xzibit. "This album is heartfelt."

The song Paparazzi, explained how he saw the Hip-Hop game, Xzibit's lyrics say it all: "It's a shame, niggas in the rap game only for the money and the fame." This was the first single from At The Speed Of Life.

Then came the second single off his debut album, "The Foundation." a song writen for Xzibit to his son, where he advises the child about the ups and downs of growing up "You can only run the streets for so long" says Xzibit. Dj Muggs from Cypress Hill produced the emotionally charged track which features a mesmerizing loop of ghostly wails and the actual cries of Xzibits baby. And revelations abound in the hard-nosed two verses of "Carry The Weight," which details Xzibit's life story, from his troubled past to makin' it on his own.

In 1998, Xzibits 2nd solo album "40 Dayz & 40 Nightz" followed and was met with great reviews just like At The Speed Of Life had been two years ago. Xzibit was hard at work appearing on many albums such as Snoop's Top Dogg, Dre's 2001 and Kurupt's Tha Streetz Iz A Mutha. Xzibit was becoming well known to comercial hip-hop fans, in turn this increased Xzibits fan base.
In 2000 Xzibit's 3rd solo album was released, titled Restless. 

The album was released in December 2000, and was met with great reviews and earned Xzibit his first platinum record. Restless included a great selection of singles including X, Get Your Walk On, Front 2 Back, and Loud & Clear.
Restless also marked the beginning of Xzibit's own label, Open Bar Entertainment.

With Restless rulling the charts with its hot singles in 2001, Fortress Entertainment was hired to make a DVD/VHS titled Restless Xposed which featured backstage footage from the Anger Management Tour, Snoop's Puff Puff tour, the House of Blues tour and much much more. The DVD/VHS is a Fortress/Open Bar Entertainment/Loud Records release. 

Xzibit also appeared in The Alkaholiks DVD as well as Snoop and Dre's hit comedy, The Wash. Xzibit has had many cameo's in such films as Snoop Dogg's "Eastsidaz", and Eminems "8 Mile". Fortress have again been recruited to make the upcoming strong arm steady DVD staring Xzibit & "The Gang". You should find these DVD's at your local music store, if not now in the near future.

In 2001 Xzibit took his skills to the stage and participated in the hugely successful "Anger Management" and "Up In Smoke" tours. After getting off the road, Xzibit spent time with his son and then focused in on the next task at hand and began recording his next release.

So in 2002 Xzibit released his fouth album, tentatively titled Man vs. Machine. Xzibit explains, "Man versus Machine, man… I thought it was fitting because I feel as though its all type of shit we up against." and continues "It’s a corporate world, corporate machine we got to battle. It’s a social machine we got to battle. It’s all type of shit". 

Man vs. Machine was a totaly different sound for Xzibit, not wanting to loose momentum he used different styles of music, including soul and an opera based chorus for his 3rd single off the album 'Symphony In X Major'. Even due to promotion for this album which was below par and the only single that got good air play was the Westcoast Anthem 'Multiply', On November 12, 2002, Xzibit's album officialy went gold, not doing as well as his previusly platnum record Restless.

2003 was the year we found out Xzibit's group 'The Golden State Project' couldn't happen due to Ras Kass' Record Label, and Xzibit started doing some mix tapes, with the underground legend Krondon, later forming 'TheSteady Gang', with Mitchy Slick, Krondon & Phil The Agony.

In 2004 he loaned his voice to a character in the X-Box game, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and played himself in Def Jam Fight for New York. This was followed by the role as Duncan in Full Clip and an appearance in XXX: State of the Union in 2005.

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