Xzibit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Xzibit
|
|
---|---|
![]() Xzibit in 2005
|
|
Background information | |
Birth name | Alvin Nathaniel Joiner |
Also known as |
|
Born | September 18, 1974 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
Education | Cibola High School |
Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation(s) |
|
Years active | 1992–present |
Labels |
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner (born September 18, 1974), known as Xzibit (pronounced "exhibit"), is an American rapper, actor, and TV host. He started his music career in 1992. His first album, At the Speed of Life (1996), was well-received.
Xzibit became more famous after rapper Dr. Dre helped produce his albums. His third album, Restless (2000), sold nearly 2 million copies. Besides music, Xzibit hosted the popular TV show Pimp My Ride in the 2000s. He also acted in movies like Gridiron Gang (2006) and the TV series Empire.
Contents
Xzibit's Journey: Music and TV
Starting His Music Career (1992–1999)
Xzibit began rapping at age 14, using the name "Exhibit A." He grew up in Detroit and New Mexico before moving to Los Angeles. His first professional song appearance was in 1995.
He signed with Loud Records and released his first album, At the Speed of Life, in 1996. The album's first song, "Paparazzi", became popular in Europe. After building his reputation, he released his second album, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz, in 1998.
His growing success caught the eye of famous rapper and producer Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre invited Xzibit to be on hit songs with artists like Snoop Dogg and Eminem. Xzibit also made his acting debut in the 1999 film The Breaks.
Rising to Fame (1999–2003)
Xzibit's big breakthrough came with his third album, Restless, in 2000. Dr. Dre was the main producer, and many famous artists like Snoop Dogg and Eminem appeared on it. The album sold over a million copies and became very popular.
He joined Dr. Dre's "Up in Smoke Tour" in 2000, performing with other hip-hop stars. Xzibit also continued acting, appearing in films like The Wash and 8 Mile with Dr. Dre and Eminem.
In 2002, he released his fourth album, Man vs. Machine. It reached number 3 on the U.S. music charts, making it his highest-charting album. He also acted in the family movie The Country Bears.
Hosting Pimp My Ride and Later Projects (2004–Present)
In 2004, Xzibit became the host of the popular MTV reality show Pimp My Ride. On the show, old, rundown cars were completely transformed into amazing custom vehicles. This show made him a household name around the world.
After Pimp My Ride ended in 2007, Xzibit continued his acting career. He appeared in movies like The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008) and The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009).
He also joined the TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as part of the design team. In 2012, Xzibit released his seventh studio album, Napalm. Since 2013, he has been a member of the hip-hop group Serial Killers.
In 2016, Xzibit joined the cast of the TV series Empire, playing the character Shyne Johnson. He continued to tour and make music. In 2024, it was announced that Xzibit joined a new record company called Greenback Records.
Xzibit's Personal Life
Xzibit has three children. His son, Tremayne, born in 1995, is also a rapper known as Tre Capital. Xzibit had another son, Xavier, who was born prematurely in 2008 and sadly passed away shortly after.
Gumball 3000 Rally
Xzibit is a fan of cars and has participated in the Gumball 3000 rally several times. This is a famous international car rally where participants drive luxury and custom cars across different countries. In the 2007 rally, he drove a black Jaguar XJ220. He also competed in the Gumball 3000 in 2013 and 2014.
Music Albums
- Studio albums
- At the Speed of Life (1996)
- 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz (1998)
- Restless (2000)
- Man vs. Machine (2002)
- Weapons of Mass Destruction (2004)
- Full Circle (2006)
- Napalm (2012)
- King Maker (2025)
- With Serial Killers
- Serial Killers Vol. 1 (2013)
- The Murder Show (2015)
- Day of the Dead (2018)
- Summer of Sam (2020)
Film and TV Appearances
Movies
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | The Breaks | Jamal | |
2000 | Tha Eastsidaz | Blue | Video |
2001 | The Slim Shady Show | Knuckles (voice) | Video |
The Wash | Wayne | ||
2002 | 8 Mile | Mike (Male Lunch Truck Rapper) | |
The Country Bears | Himself | ||
2004 | Full Clip | Duncan | |
2005 | XXX: State of the Union | Zeke | |
Derailed | Dexter | ||
Hoodwinked! | Chief Grizzly (voice) | ||
2006 | Gridiron Gang | Malcolm Moore | |
2008 | The X-Files: I Want to Believe | FBI Special Agent Mosley Drummy | |
American Violet | Darrell Hughes | ||
2009 | The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans | Donald "Big Fate" Godshaw | |
2010 | Malice n Wonderland | Jabberwock | Video |
2012 | Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden | Mule | TV movie |
2017 | Sun Dogs | Master Sergeant Jenkins |
Television Shows
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | The Test | Himself/Panelist | Episode: "The Morality Test (I)" |
MTV Cribs | Himself | Episode: "Xzibit, Boy George, Penny Hardaway, Al Harris" | |
2002 | Weakest Link | Himself | Episode: "Rap Stars" |
Mad TV | Himself | Episode: "Episode #8.4" | |
2003 | Cedric the Entertainer Presents | Mack Daddy | Episode: "Episode #1.14" |
2004 | TV Land's Top Ten | Himself | Episode: "Top 10 TV Cars" |
All of Us | Himself | Episode: "Basket Cases" | |
CSI: Miami | Dwayne "10-Large" Jackman | Episode: "Rap Sheet" | |
MTV Europe Music Awards | Himself/Host | Main Host | |
2004-07 | Pimp My Ride | Himself/Host | Main Host |
2006 | Mad TV | Himself | Episode: "Episode #12.1" |
2006-07 | The Boondocks | Himself (voice) | Episode: "The Real" & "The Story of Thugnificent" |
2009-12 | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Himself | Recurring Designer: Season 7-9 |
2010 | Detroit 1-8-7 | Russel Pits | Episode: "Royal Bubbles/Needle Drop" |
2012 | Loiter Squad | Himself | Episode: "Date" |
2013-15 | Hawaii Five-0 | Jason "J.C." Dekker | Guest Cast: Season 4-5 |
2015 | Unsung | Himself | Episode: "Nate Dogg" |
2016-19 | Empire | Leslie "Shyne" Johnson | Guest: Season 2 & 5, Main Cast: Season 3–4 |
2017 | Hollywood Game Night | Himself/Celebrity Player | Episode: "Hollywood Game Night" |
2018 | Gettin' Wild with Snoop Dogg | Himself | Episode: "Episode #2.2" & "#2.4" |
American Dad! | Juicy Lou (voice) | Episode: The Never-Ending Stories" | |
2019 | Hip-Hop Evolution | Himself | Recurring Guest: Season 3 |
Broken Ground | Himself | Main Cast | |
2020 | Ridiculousness | Himself | Episode: "Xzibit" |
2021 | Hip Hop Uncovered | Himself | Recurring Guest |
2022 | 30 for 30 | Himself | Episode: "The Greatest Mixtape Ever" |
Music Videos
Year | Artist | Song | Role |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg | "Still D.R.E." | Himself |
2000 | Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg | "The Next Episode" | Himself |
Big Pun featuring Donell Jones | "It's So Hard" | Himself | |
2001 | P. Diddy featuring Black Rob & Mark Curry | "Bad Boy for Life" | Himself |
2003 | 50 Cent | "In da Club" | Himself |
2004 | Cypress Hill featuring Tim Armstrong | "What's Your Number?" | Himself |
2005 | Korn | "Twisted Transistor" | Fieldy |
2008 | The Game featuring Lil Wayne | "My Life" | Himself |
2009 | Busta Rhymes featuring Jadakiss & Lil Wayne | "Respect My Conglomerate" | Himself |
Documentaries
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1997 | Rhyme & Reason | Himself |
2012 | Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap | Himself |
Video Games
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | Madden NFL 2001 | Himself | Playable character |
2002 | Street Hoops | Himself | Voice role |
2004 | The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay | Abbott | Voice and likeness |
Def Jam: Fight for NY | Himself | Playable character; voice and likeness | |
NFL Street 2 | Playable Character; voice and likeness Released as NFL Street 2 Unleashed for PSP |
||
2006 | Pimp My Ride | Guide / narrator | |
Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover | Playable character; voice and likeness | ||
2009 | The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena | Abbott | Voice and likeness |
2024 | Chrome Valley Customs | Himself | Voice and likeness |
See also
In Spanish: Xzibit para niños