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Xzibit
Biography
Before becoming one of the West Coast's most illustrious MCs at the end of the 1990s, and later a TV celebrity, Xzibit was a promising underground rapper. Born Alvin Nathaniel Joiner on September 18, 1974, in Detroit, MI, Xzibit began his rap career was part of the Likwit Crew, a loose-knit collective of California rappers including King T, Defari, and Tha Alkaholiks. Early on, he was featured on "Free Style Ghetto," a song on King T's IV Life (1994), and subsequently appeared on "Hit and Run," a song on Tha Alkaholiks' Coast II Coast (1995). Signed to Loud Records, Xzibit released his solo debut album, At the Speed of Life, in 1996. The album boasts a Billboard Hot 100 single, "Paparazzi," and features production work by Thayod Ausar, Craig Sherrad, E-Swift, DJ Muggs, Saafir, and Diamond D.

Xzibit's second album for Loud, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz (1998), was a bigger success on all counts. Often considered the rapper's best album, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz spawned a Top 50 single, "What U See Is What U Get," and features extensive production work from Sir Jinx, who had previously worked at length with Ice Cube, among other significant West Coast rappers.