Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, known professionally as Xzibit, is a versatile talent from the United States, acclaimed as a rapper, actor, television host, and radio figure. His journey in the music industry kicked off in 1992, leading to a pivotal signing with Loud Records, a subsidiary of RCA Records, for his debut album “At the Speed of Life” in 1996. This initial offering was well-received by critics, made a modest entrance into the Billboard 200 chart, and featured the hit single “Paparazzi,” which climbed to number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100. His follow-up, “40 Dayz & 40 Nightz” in 1998, enjoyed similar critical acclaim and featured the notable single “What U See Is What U Get.”

Xzibit’s rising profile attracted the attention of renowned West Coast rapper Dr. Dre, who took on the executive production role for Xzibit’s subsequent albums. The third album, “Restless” in 2000, marked a turn towards a more commercial sound, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard 200. After leaving Loud Records, Xzibit teamed up with Columbia Records for his fourth album, “Man vs. Machine” in 2003, which soared to number three on the chart. These albums also saw collaboration with Xzibit’s own Open Bar Entertainment. His subsequent works, “Weapons of Mass Destruction” in 2004 and “Full Circle” in 2006, were followed by a brief pause in his public career, returning with his seventh studio album, “Napalm,” in 2012. Since 2013, Xzibit has been performing with the hip-hop supergroup Serial Killers.

Beyond his musical achievements, Xzibit has made a name for himself in acting and television presenting. He is perhaps best known for hosting the hit reality TV show “Pimp My Ride” in the 2000s. As an actor, he portrayed Shyne Johnson in the TV series “Empire” and has appeared in movies such as “Gridiron Gang” (2006), “The X-Files: I Want to Believe” (2008), “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” (2009), and “Sun Dogs” (2017).

Xzibit is back and bolder than ever. An icon of West Coast hip hop, his first album in 12 years, Kingmaker, features collaborations with the most iconic names in the genre, including Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes, Redman, B-Real and Ty Dolla $ign, and is set to release on May 16th via Greenback Records.

 Dropping alongside a new music video for the title track, Kingmaker authentically captures the perspective of one of hip-hop’s most iconic figures, 28 years deep in the game. X has reached his final form, not pandering to trends but perfectly delivering a sound that best represents him in this moment. While he’s previously had to make music in an environment of “chaos”, now X’s music derives from a more relaxed place where he can “gather his thoughts and shoot them directly,” making for an authentic body of work.

 Showcased through key moments like the trap track ‘Genesis’—a first for Xzibit—and the hard-hitting topical ‘Crash’ ft. Royce da 5′9, X draws on a vast reservoir of experience, revealing a vulnerable, through mature, thoughtful writing that illustrates significant personal and artistic growth while staying true to his craft.

 There’s a dual meaning behind Kingmaker. In one way, it’s about giving new talent, like Compton AV, Guapdad4000 and Tre Capital, a platform or a cosign, helping make them into a king. In another sense, it’s about a king teaching his disciples, with each track conveying a lesson or principle that has contributed to Xzibit’s success. “A Kingmaker is someone who helps others rise—whether it’s through collaboration, mentorship, or opening doors,”he explains. “I’ve had a lot of people do that for me. Now, I want to be able to do the same thing for the next generation.”

 So far from Kingmaker – an album that was nearly scrapped five times, according to X – fans have heard the album opener ‘Play This At My Funeral’, the soulful ‘Been A Long Time Pt. 2’, dressed in the sweet vocals of Jenn Em, the powerful ‘Everywhere I Go’ (ft. Dem Jointz), followed by funky-yet-fierce ‘Shut Yo Mouth’ featuring Compton Av. & Butch Cassidy. In May, to mark the album release comes the hotly-awaited focus single ‘Leave Me Alone’, a collab with the Grammy-nominated Ty Dolla $ign and legendary producer Dr Dre.

 In the lead-up to Kingmaker, Xzibit has been opening up on some of the world’s biggest media platforms, diving deep into his legacy, challenges, and evolution. On the podcast Drink Champs, he reflected on his ability to connect with both underground and mainstream audiences, the struggles of West Coast artists during East Coast dominance, and the lessons learned from the iconic Up in Smoke tour.

 On the podcast Bootleg Kev, Xzibit opened up about personal and professional milestones, including Kendrick Lamar’s influence, his experiences with Dr. Dre, and the impact of his divorce. Meanwhile, in his ABC Newsinterview, he explored the vulnerability woven into Kingmaker, emphasising how his personal struggles and triumphs shaped an album that fans can truly relate to.