Xzibit

"There's a real story and a real struggle behind me being here right now and I don't think you can embody it or figure it out in one or two sentences." - Xzibit

Xzibit's new album Full Circle due out October 17, 2006 on Open Bar Entertainment/KOCH Records is his most original work to date, capturing a deep and incredible decade of personal record. "It feels full circle for me because I started my musical career in 1996 and over the last ten years I've become an established musician and businessman. I feel like I've learned and done a lot, so this is a return back to what I love to do best," said Xzibit.

As a West Coast rap heavyweight, Xzibit has done it all: signed a major record deal as a young virtually unknown rapper, worked with legendary West Coast super-producer Dr. Dre on his multi-platinum selling Chronic 2001 album and then crisscrossed America with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Eminem on the incredibly successful Up in Smoke tour. Xzibit has sold over 3 million records, including the platinum selling Restless. He has also gained world wide television exposure as host of MTV's Pimp My Ride, as well as becoming an ever increasing screen star with film credits that include the smash hit XXX: State of the Union with Ice Cube and Samuel Jackson, 8 Mile with friend Eminem, Derailed with Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen, the animated comedy Hoodwinked, as the voice of Chief Grizzly. Xzibit is next set to appear alongside Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson on the highly anticipated, Gridiron Gang based on a true story of a group of young criminals in a correctional facility who gain confidence through football. Directed by Phil Joanou, the film is scheduled for release by Sony Pictures on September 15.

To understand the magnitude of the accomplishments of "Mr. X to the Z," one must go back in time to understand his real life struggle. Xzibit (Alvin Nathaniel Joiner) was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 18, 1974. At a very young age he was taught to write by his mother Trena who tragically passed away when Xzibit was only nine years old. His father re-married and the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where Xzibit spent his adolescence.

At the age of 13 Xzibit began listening to rap and writing lyrics, which didn't go over well with his ex-Marine father and strict stepmother, who were both Jehovah's Witnesses. "My parents hated rap music so they would take my tapes and break them. I was listening to everything: LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Kool G Rap, anything I would get my hands on they would break it," he says. They could break his tapes but they couldn't break his spirit and love for rap.

From 14 to 17, Xzibit spent much of his time on the streets of Albuquerque and began to get into trouble. His misfortunes followed him to school and he was expelled from the high schools in Albuquerque. "I went through so much, I got caught with guns in school, dumb shit," he says. When Xzibit would attend school he honed his rapping skills, which led to his unique stage name. "While I battled at lunch, I just said it, 'I'm Exhibit A/On display...' Back then I used to spell it regular like a museum exhibit, I had Exhibit A, but then I dropped the A (for Alvin)," he says.

Xzibit now had a name and some skills but he needed peace in his life as it became too dangerous for him on the streets. "My friends started dying and I damn near got killed in Albuquerque," he says. Xzibit set his sights for sunny California. With everything he owned packed into his black and purple Geo Tracker, $3,000 cash, and a highlighted road map to L.A., Xzibit left Albuquerque with one Los Angeles contact and no 'plan B.' Taking heed to his father's words "Don't procrastinate," he began hustling, rapping at local L.A. clubs and networking. He would soon be introduced to King Tee and West Coast rap group, Tha Alkaholiks. "King Tee and Tha Alkaholiks were the first rappers I knew with real record deals. Rollin' with them I felt 'this is where I need to be,' I didn't have no money, but I was happy," he says. Xzibit was featured on West Coast pioneer King Tee's "Free Style Ghetto," on the IV Life (1995) album. X's skills shined and were noticed by urban music pioneer and former LOUD Records founder Steve Rifkind, who signed Xzibit after just having signed Staten Island's Wu-Tang Clan. Xzibit put out his first single "Paparazzi" from the 1996 album At the Speed of Light, which quickly became a hit.

Xzibit followed with 1998's 40 Dayz & Forty Nightz and the hit songs "What U See Is What U Get" and "Los Angels Times," which got X a great deal of recognition and a reputation on the streets of Los Angeles. X's life changed dramatically when he got a call from legendary producer Dr. Dre to make an appearance on the track "Bitch Please." "I go to the studio and it takes me 15 minutes to do that record, I thank him for the opportunity and I walk out the studio," he says. The single quickly became a hit, soon after Xzibit made his first appearance on MTV, taking his career to another level.

Impressed with Xzibit's work ethic, Dr. Dre invited X to once again make a guest appearance on the West Coast classic "What's The Difference?" from Dre's multi-platinum album, Chronic 2001. Xzibit then went on the highly successful Up in Smoke Tour where he shared a stage with Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop, Eminem and other West Coast hip hop heavyweights.

Dr. Dre would return the favor by being the Executive Producer on X's most successful album to date, 2000's Restless. The album boasted sales of 2 million with original hit songs like "X," "Front 2 Back," and "Get Your Walk On." "All the work we've done has been done out of love and respect," Xzibit says of Dr. Dre. Xzibit's next two albums Man Vs. Machine (2002) which contained "Symphony in X Major" featuring Dr. Dre and Weapons of Mass Destruction (2004) with "Criminal Set," would both go on to be certified Gold.

Xzibit's portfolio also includes being the host of the last five seasons on one of MTV's most popular programs, the restoring and customizing car show Pimp My Ride. "The program showcases the side of my personality that only my family gets to see. I'm not acting, this is who I am. Now my job on Full Circle is to connect those dots," he says.

Full Circle which was partly recorded in Manhattan, New York at Planet to Planet Recording Studio "The Dungeon" with Executive Producer Keith Shocklee, of the rap production group The Bomb Squad (Public Enemy, Ice Cube), features classic cuts, including the first single, the soon to be club anthem-Rick Rock produced "Concentrate."

"I always hustle where people aren't, put paint where it ain't. That's the whole meaning of the records that I put out; usually it's a reflection of the mind state. Just listen, cause you're gonna hear where my heart is at," says Xzibit.