Xzibit Makes a Majestic Return with a New Album in 10 Years

After more than ten years of absence from recording, Xzibit signs his big comeback with Kingmaker, an event album released on May 16, 2025. The official video for the eponymous title, unveiled on May 22, accompanies this artistic rebirth, praised by fans and scrutinized by critics.

Xzibit: A pillar of West Coast rap

Xzibit, his real name Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, has been a key figure in American rap since the end of the 90s. Known for his hard-hitting flow, his notable collaborations (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg) and his role as host in Pimp My Ride, he marked hip-hop culture with albums like Restless and Man vs. Machine. After a break devoted to cinema and television, he returned to music, his true passion.

Kingmaker : An XXL casting

Composed of 20 titles, Kingmaker explores personal and universal themes: resilience, success, transmission and legacy. The single Play This At My Funeral, far from being morbid, is intended to be an intimate inventory of the artist, at the crossroads of his experiences and his ambitions. Other pieces like Belly of the Beast, For The Love or Higher highlight the synergy between Xzibit and his guests, while maintaining a sound identity faithful to his roots.

For this ninth studio album, Xzibit brought together an impressive list of guests, mixing hip-hop icons and new generation:

• Dr. Dre
• Ice Cube
• Redman
• Busta Rhymes
• B-Real (Cypress Hill)
• Royce Da 5'9”
• Ty Dolla $ign
• Symba
• JasonMartin (ex-Problem)
• Domo Genesis
• Guapdad 4000
• Lorine Chia
• Butch Cassidy
• Compton Ave
• Daygo Fatts
• Three Capital
• King Tee
• Cold 187um
• Stalone

This diversity of featurings offers Kingmaker a balance between West Coast nostalgia and contemporary freshness.

Critics: between respect and expectations

The critical reception of Kingmaker is generally positive, welcoming the return of a rap veteran and the quality of his lyrics. Longtime fans rediscover the energy and sincerity that made his reputation. Xzibit. However, some media outlets point to a sometimes uneven production, especially on the first half of the album, and regret the absence of a "secret sauce" that could have elevated it to the rank of classics. The collaborations, although prestigious, are not always enough to mask some lengths, but titles like Belly of the Beast or What You Like are doing well.

Released at Greenback Records (the label launched by Conor McGregor), Kingmaker marks the will of Xzibit to reassert himself in the hip-hop landscape, while passing on his knowledge to the new generation. The album is available in physical and digital versions, and is aimed at both those nostalgic for Californian rap and those curious in search of authenticity.

Kingmaker is a dense, sincere and multigenerational album, symbolizing the return of an artist who has lost none of his verve. A project to discover to understand the journey and evolution of Xzibit, between glorious past and ambitious present.